High school track preview: The top 50 Treasure Valley athletes to watch this spring
Treasure Valley athletes cleaned up at the state championships last season, and there’s no reason to think that will change in 2024, because loads of champions return.
We surveyed track and field coaches throughout Southwest Idaho looking for the 50 elite athletes to keep an eye on this season.
Below are the results, as well as the top athletes on each team. Athletes are not ranked in order. They are grouped by classification and sorted alphabetically by school.
TOP BOYS TO WATCH
Noe Kemper, Boise: He had a breakout summer, winning a national title in the steeplechase. At the 5A state meet, he was fifth in the 1,600, fourth in the 3,200 and ran a leg on the Brave’s winning 4x400 relay team. He owns the fastest times in the state this season in the 800 (1:55.89) and 1,600 (4:20.06).
Jordan McDonald, Boise: He took second at the 5A state meet in the high jump with a clearance of 6-4. McDonald will be among the state’s top all-around athletes in 2024, competing in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, high jump and long jump.
Victor Byaundaombe, Capital: The reigning 5A state champion in the triple jump (47-11.75) put in work in the offseason, winning the same event in February at the Simplot Games.
Kolton Osborn, Centennial: He won the finals of the 100 meters at the 5A state meet with a time of 10.73 seconds and ran a leg on the Patriots’ winning 4x100 relay. He’ll look to add more hardware his senior season.
Kai Twaddle-Dunham, Centennial: He’ll be aiming for gold his senior season after taking silver in both the shot put (56-6.5) and discus (170-0) in 2023. His throw of 186-11 in the discus is tops in the state this season.
Makeo Sneddon, Eagle: He took fifth in the long jump at last year’s state meet but leads the state this season with a personal-best mark of 22-6.
Jay Monroe, Kuna: He ran the anchor leg on the Kavemen’s winning 4x200 relay last season while placing second in the 200 and third in the 100. He owns the fastest 100 time in the state this season at 10.96.
Blake Johns, Meridian: He transferred to Meridian from Emmett. As a sophomore, he took eighth in the shot put at state for the Huskies. His throw of 57-3 leads the state this season.
Nate Stadtlander, Meridian: As a sophomore, he earned runner-up finishes in both the 400 (49.20) and 800 (1:54.11) last season. He also won the 5A cross country individual title last fall. He currently has the top 3,200 time in the state this season (9:32.62).
Brady Abbott, Rocky Mountain: He placed second at state in the pole vault last season with a clearance of 14-6 and has already hit that height to lead the state in 2024.
Braden Ankeny, Rocky Mountain: The transfer from Marsing dominated the sprints at the 2A state meet a year ago, sweeping the 100 (11.25), 200 (22.33) and 400 (49.51).
Landon Heemeyer, Rocky Mountain: The BYU commit and cross country standout finished first in the 3,200 (9:10.76) and 4x800 relay last season and second in the 1,600 (4:13.28).
Cam Davis, Bishop Kelly: He cleared 6-4 to win the 4A state high jump title and posted a personal-best 23-3 to win the long jump last season.
Rakeem Johnson, Bishop Kelly: The Michigan State signee in football showcased his strength at the 4A state meet a year ago, winning the discus with a throw of 175-5 and taking third in the shot put (52-5.50).
Caden Warren, Ridgevue: He made a big impression in his freshman debut, taking second in the long jump (22-4) at the 4A state meet.
Ayden Martinez, Skyview: He’ll be among the 4A classification’s top sprinters this year after taking second in the 100 (10.85) and fourth in the 200 (22.40) at state in 2023.
David Gummersall, Vallivue: After winning the 400 at the 4A state meet last season, the junior is on track for an even bigger 2024. He won the 400 at the Simplot Games in February in a time of 48.18.
George Speirs, McCall-Donnelly: He’ll be a favorite to win the 1,600 and 3,200 at the 2A state meet after finishing as the runner-up in both events last season to a senior.
Chase Klahr, Parma: He was 2023 runner-up at the 3A state meet in both the shot put (50-6.75) and discus (146-9).
Levi Bennett, Payette: He was the Pirates’ top finisher at state a year ago, taking second in the pole vault (13-6), third in the 100 (11.23) and fourth in the 200 (22.52).
Raivio Manzer, Melba: As a junior, he qualified for the 2A state meet in four events: 800 (ninth), 1,600 (fifth), 3,200 (12th) and medley relay (fifth).
Ruari Mulrey, Idaho City: He’s the top returner among state placers in the discus at the 1A state meet, placing second with a throw of 156.
Claytin Harper, Tri-Valley: He’s back for more hardware as a senior after winning the 100 (11.31) at the 1A state meet last season while taking second in the long jump and fourth in the 200.
Kayden Gibbs, Victory Charter: He set a school record with his silver medal in the 300 hurdles (41.11) at the 1A state meet and ran a leg on the Vipers’ winning 4x100 relay.
Luke Stockett, Victory Charter: The Utah State signee won the 1A cross country title last fall and is coming off a victory in the 3,200 at state last season with a runner-up finish in the 1,600.
TOP GIRLS TO WATCH
Allie Bruce, Boise: After finishing as the runner-up two years in a row at state, Bruce won the 1,600 (4:55.87) and took third in the 800. She also ran a leg on the Brave’s winning 4x800 relay.
Sophia Clark, Boise: The University of Montana signee ran a personal-best time of 56.69 to win the 5A state championship in the 400. She’ll likely run the 100, 200, 400 and a relay this season.
Alexandra Gustavel, Boise: So far this spring, the senior is only 2 inches shy of matching her winning jump of 5-4 at the state meet last year.
Autumn Shomaker, Boise: She won the 5A long jump title by nearly a foot, leaping a personal-best 18-6.75. She’ll also compete in the triple jump, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay this season.
Makenzie Baisch, Eagle: She made the state finals in both the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, placing third and sixth, respectively.
Stella Gray, Capital: Beginning only her second season in track, the senior already has the second-fastest time in the state this season in the 100 (12.65), third-fastest in the 200 (25.70) and third-best shot put (35-11).
Christine Huckins, Capital: Before transferring to Capital, she ran for Skyview in 2023, placing third at the 4A state meet in the 100 and fourth in the 200, and she ran the anchor leg on the Hawks’ winning 4x100 relay team. She owns the state’s top times in the 100 (12.22) and 200 (25.27) this season.
Damaris Stuffle, Capital: She moved to Boise from Lewiston. While representing the Bengals, she placed third at state in the 300 hurdles last season. She will also compete in the long jump, 100 hurdles and a relay this season.
Quincy Keller, Mountain View: She burst on the scene as a freshman, qualifying for state in the 100 (sixth) and 200 (sixth) and running the anchor leg on the Mavericks’ 4x100 (eighth) and 4x200 (fourth) relay teams.
Rilyn Stevens, Mountain View: She clocked a 10:53.87 in the 3,200, good enough for second place at the 5A state meet.
Josie Davis, Owyhee: The jumps specialist landed on the podium at state last season in the high jump (fourth), long jump (fifth) and triple jump (third).
Brighton Heywood, Rocky Mountain: She qualified for last year’s state meet in four events: 800 (sixth), 1,600 (eighth), 4x400 relay (third) and 4x800 relay (second). Her time of 2:21.63 in the 800 is tops in the state in 2024.
Hannah Pinegar, Rocky Mountain: She should be a force in the hurdles in 2024 after taking second in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 hurdles a year ago. She leads the state this season in the 100 hurdles (15.62) and 300 hurdles (47.59).
Nadja Burkholder, Timberline: The freshman hasn’t wasted any time making a lasting first impression. She leads the state in the triple jump with a mark of 37-0.
Ruby Ihmels, Timberline: She won the 5A cross country championship in the fall as a freshman and is among the fastest in the state this season in the 800 and 1,600.
Avery Navest, Timberline: The Wyoming signee made the state finals in the 100 (fifth) and 200 (seventh), ran a leg on the Wolves’ fourth-place 4x100 relay team and qualified for state in the shot put.
Kaylee Wuest, Ridgevue: The College of Idaho signee won the 2023 4A state title in the discus (120-06) by nearly four feet.
Lydia Lindsey, Fruitland: She begins her junior season as a seven-time 3A state champion. In 2023, Lindsey won the 100, 200, long jump and 4x100 relay. As a freshman, she claimed the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay titles.
Olyvia Denison, Payette: She showed no fear in her first 3A state meet, winning the triple jump by more than a foot with a mark of 37-6.
Kailee Lerew, Weiser: She earned gold medals in the 400 (59.36) and 4x400 relay (4:07.91) last season at the 3A state meet and is expected to compete in the 400, 200, 4x400 and 4x200 in 2024.
Macie Kern, Cole Valley Christian: She enters her junior season as the defending 2A state champion in the pole vault (10-0).
Brooklynn Dayley, Melba: Also a standout on the hardwood, Dayley ran to victory in the 800 (2:22.39) at the 2A state meet last season.
Hope Zollman, Council: She earned a spot on the podium at last year’s 1A state meet in the shot put (sixth) and discus (fifth). Her throw of 114-5 is tops in the discus this season.
Anna Dixon, Greenleaf: She had a stellar sophomore season, running to victory at the 1A state meet in both the 800 (2:15.33) and 1,600 (5:20.20).
Taliah Rogers, Victory Charter: Anchored the Vipers’ 4x200, 4x400 and medley relays at state while also placing third in the 800 as a freshman.
TEAM PREVIEWS
The top athletes to watch from each team around Southwest Idaho. Teams not listed did not respond to the Idaho Statesman’s preseason survey.
5A SIC
Boise: Jordan McDonald, jr.; Noe Kemper, sr.; Kaden Helder, sr.; Sophia Clark, sr.; Allie Bruce, sr.; Autumn Shomaker, sr.
Borah: Matt Knight, sr.; Jevon Nelson, sr.; Hannah Schafer, sr.; Sage Weaver, sr.
Capital: Kennedy Patterson, sr.; Damaris Stuffle, sr.; Eden Francis, so.; Stella Gray, sr.; Victor Byaundaombe, sr.; Canyon Buschbacher, sr.
Centennial: Kai Twaddle-Dunham, sr.; Kolton Osborn, sr.; Bryson Blaser, sr.
Eagle: AJ Ringert, sr.; Sam Woolner, sr.; Makeo Sneddon, sr.; Makenzie “Macie” Baisch, jr.; Jaycob Farmer, sr.
Kuna: Jay Monroe, sr.; Kody Biggs, sr.; Myles Johnson-Nicholson, jr.
Meridian: Nate Stadtlander, jr.; Paisley Taylor, jr.; Hannah Bingham, jr.; Blake Johns, jr.
Middleton: Paxti Franks, sr.; Raymond Steele, sr.; Elsie Wyatt, jr.; Breanna Martin, jr.
Mountain View: Rilyn Stevens, sr.; Quincy Keller, so.; Owen McBride, sr.; Joseph Miraya, jr.
Nampa: Josh Peterson, sr.; Ayden Jensen, sr.; Tegon Lords, jr.; Alexis Thrall, sr.; Hailee Karpowitz, so.
Owyhee: Mason Gibbons, jr.; Liv Mortensen, sr.; Faith Johnson, jr.; Josie Davis, jr.; Lilli Denhardt, so.; Noah Fisher, so.
Rocky Mountain: Landon Heemeyer, sr.; Braden Ankeny, sr.; Hannah Pinegar, sr.
Timberline: Avery Navest, sr.; Stella Hart, so.; Nadja Burkholder, fr.; Ethan Kirkendall, so.; Riley Kirkendall, jr.; Will Ihmels, jr.
4A SIC
Caldwell: Cameron Leonard, sr.; Camus Book, so.; Caidon Felder, jr.
Columbia: Kaitlyn Lundergan, sr.; Collin Wimer, jr.; Landon Hammer, so.
Emmett: Quinten Smith, sr.; Addison Richards, fr.; Erin Hadley, jr.
Ridgevue: Kaylee Wuest, sr.; Cade Warren, so.; Braydon Wade, sr.; Cadence Fehrs, sr.
Skyview: Ayden Martinez, sr.; Megan Cahoon, sr.; Sophia Krzemien, sr.; Makayla Naylor, jr.; Melissa Eyer, sr.
Vallivue: David Gummersall, jr.
3A SRV
Fruitland: Lydia Lindsey, jr.; Ella Smith, fr.; Zeke VanHofwegen, so.; Isahi Salinas, jr.; Ricky Cisneros, jr
Parma: Chase Klahr, jr.; Megan Atkinson, jr.
Payette: Levi Bennett, sr.; Olivia Denison, so.; Calvin Shaffer, so.; Landon Warner, sr.; Jenna Cortright, jr.
Weiser: Kailee Lerew, jr.; Kamryn Doty, jr.; Madi Wilkins, jr.; Toren Walker, sr.; Jayden Walker, sr.
2A WIC
Cole Valley Christian: Macie Kern, jr.; Chris Olson, sr.; Cody Simonson, sr.; Mia Dotson, sr.; Evan Clutter, jr.; Dylan Anson, fr.
Marsing: Nathan Delaney, sr.
Melba: Raivio Manzer, sr.; Brooklynn Dayley, sr.; Hayden Higgens, so.; Carsten Volkers, jr.
Nampa Christian: Aiden Thompson, sr.; Thomas Duerre, jr.; Ian Johnson, so.
New Plymouth: Alex Porter II, sr.; Triston Church, sr.; Ben Briggs, jr.; Noah Meckert, sr.; Marissa Ridgeway, so.; Gabe Cox, jr.
North Star Charter: Keith Pelhamm, sr.; Reece Ruggles, sr.; Everett Metier, jr.; Kyle Pelham, fr.; Kaya Scott, so.
1ADI WIC
Centennial Baptist: Cameron Tilzey, jr.; Anna Hayek, so.; Kayla Hiner-Landis, sr.
Idaho City: Ruari Mulrey, sr.; Selena Exon, sr.; Makayla Barber, jr.; Mary Plumlee, jr.
Victory Charter: Luke Stockett, sr.; Kayden Gibbs, sr.; Allie Hacking, sr.; Talliah Rogers, so.; LIbby Stockett, fr.
1ADII Long Pin
Cascade: Kallyn Rogers, sr.; Trever Sayers, sr.; Josie Leslie, fr.; Garrett Rogers, fr.; Will Huckaby, fr.; Finley Wilkins, so.
Meadows Valley: Jordyn White, sr.
Salmon River: Cordell Bovey, sr.; Taylor Ewing, fr.; Blake Shepherd, fr.; Aaron Markley, so.; Kingston Pyle, fr.
Tri-Valley: Claytin Harper, sr.; Wyatt Stiff, so.; Lexi Gay, jr.; Adelyn Barton, so.; Elizabeth Phillips, sr.; Toby Walker, jr.
