Records set at Tiger-Grizz Invitational track meet

IDAHO FALLS – The Tiger-Grizz Track & Field Invitational never disappoints.

Under a warm spring sky, dozens of the state’s top athletes converged on Ravsten Stadium this weekend with visions of personal bests and the opportunity to gauge themselves against some of the top competitors they’ll see in the upcoming district and state meets.

Medals and PRs were the theme of the day, but most athletes were already thinking ahead.

“I think I can PR more in the future,” said Madison’s Brynlee Gwilliam, who won Friday’s 3,200 in a personal best-time of 11:17.42 and won Saturday’s 1,600 in 5:13.44, finishing less than a second off her PR set earlier this season.

She has the fastest times in 6A District 4-5-6 in the 3,200. 1,600 and 800, and her 800 time of 2:19.11 is seventh in the state for 6A.

Gwilliam did not advance to the state meet a year ago, but is focused on reaching that goal. Another goal is the school record of 5:07 in the 1,600.

“Hopefully there’s some good competition at state and some good elevation and I think I can do it,” she said.

The boys sprints were competitive with Kuna’s Myles Johnson-Nicholson edging Skyline speedster Zyan Crockett in the 100. Johnson-Nicholson clocked 11.04 in the 100 with Crockett right behind in 11.08. Johnson-Nicholson also won the 200.

Crockett, just a junior, has the top 100 time in 5A with a 10.89 set last week at Rigby and Saturday’s time of 22.12 in the 200 is second in the state in 5A.

In the boys distance races, the battle between North Fremont’s Corbin Johnston and Teton’s Zane Lindquist continues to favor Johnston, who won the 1,600 and the 3,200, with Lindquist right behind in both races.

Lindquist also placed fourth in the 800.

Looking at the current 3A state performance list, Johnston is second in the 800, first in the 1,600 and second in the 3,200.

In 4A, Lindquist is fourth in the 800, second in the 1,600 and holds the top spot in the 3,200 by nearly 30 seconds.

Blackfoot freshman Owen Gregory continues to impress, winning the 800 in 2:00.97.

Hillcrest’s Garrett Cook doubled up with wins in the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.

In the field events, Pocatello’s Gavin Schiffmann won the shot put.

Gabe Hooste of Malad set a PR in the in the javelin with a toss of 162-6 to win the event by more than 20 feet and Rigby’s Garrett Merwin won the pole vault at 14-9.

West Jefferson’s Rawley Calder won the long jump with a PR of 23-2.5 and finished third in the triple jump with a PR of 43-1.

“I just pushed everything into it,” Calder said of his last attempt in the long jump to edge Madison’s Bryce Dredge, who hit a jump of 23-0.

Looking at the 3A state performance list, Calder’s 23-2.5 in first in the long jump and his 43-1 is third in the triple jump.

Returning state triple jump state champion Hagan Morris of Sugar-Salem broke his ankle in January and had surgery, but has been solid in his return, finishing third at the Sugar-Salem Invitational, second at last week’s DirectCom Invitational, and winning Saturday’s competition with a jump of 44-7.5.

“I’m really happy with the way I performed today,” he said, noting the goal is to get back into the 46-foot range.

“It was my best mark by far,” he said.

On the girls side, Gwilliam wasn’t the only one focusing on records and the upcoming state meet.

Highland’s Gracee Anderson won the 400 in a season-best 58.34 and Firth senior Kynzie Nielson continues to push the pace with a win in the 800.

Idaho Falls senior Abby Coleman clocked season-best 15.90 to win the 100 hurdles, edging Highland’s Leigh Ellis. Ellis came back to win the 300 hurdles in a time of 45.63, which is third fastest in the state this year.

Blackfoot’s Cambrie Waterhouse won the shot put, while teammate Eva Grimm won the discus by four inches over Rigby’s Ellayna Davis. Waterhouse was fourth.

Hillcrest junior Alexa Weatherly won the javelin with a throw of 124, which is second in the state, and Thunder Ridge sophomore Vennis Bell won the triple jump with a PR of 36-8.5.