High school track preview: Meet the top 50 Boise-area athletes to watch this spring
We surveyed high school 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
Eli Rich, sr., Boise: He’ll be a top contender in the sprints this season after winning the 200 meters and finishing second in the 100 at the 6A state meet last season.
Will Studebaker, jr., Boise: One of the leading contenders in the hurdle events, he placed third in the 110 and fourth in the 300 hurdles at last year’s 6A state meet. He owns the top times in the two events so far this season.
Nick Loufoua, sr., Capital: Opened the season with a state-leading distance of 47 feet, 2 inches in the triple jump, an event in which he finished as the 6A state runner-up last season.
Elliot Schrack, jr., Capital: Leads the state this season in the javelin with a throw of 155-9. He took second in the event at the 6A state meet last year with a throw of 156-3.
Ambrose Brainard, sr., Eagle: The reigning 6A state champion in the high jump — who just began the sport last season — cleared a personal-best 6-10 at the USATF Snake River Association Indoor Championships this winter. He is committed to Idaho State.
River Spaulding, sr., Meridian: Poised to contend for a state championship in the pole vault after placing sixth last season behind three seniors. His mark of 14-6 is tied for the best in the state so far this season.
Behr Scott, so., Mountain View: Helped the Mavericks’ 4x200 relay to an overall state meet record last season while also placing third in the 200 and fourth in the 100.
Koda VanDahlen, sr., Mountain View: The University of Idaho commit ran to a second-place finish in the 1,600 with a personal-best time of 4:13.15 at last year’s 6A state meet.
Hyrum Tuft, sr., Rocky Mountain: He won the 6A individual cross country title in the fall, making him a strong contender in the distance races this spring.
Ethan Kirkendall, sr., Timberline: Among the top returning sprinters, he’s coming off a second-place finish in the 400 at the 6A state meet and also was part of the Wolves’ winning 4x400 relay, which set an overall meet record.
Carson Hacking, so., Columbia: He moves up to the state’s second-largest classification after competing for Victory Charter last season, where he placed second in the 1,600 and sixth in the 3,200 at the 2A state meet.
Ammon Hammer, so., Columbia: Cleared a personal-best 15-0 to win the pole vault at last year’s 5A state meet. He is tied for the top mark in the state so far this season at 14-6.
Lucas Alvarado, sr., Emmett: Helped the Huskies win the 4x100 relay at last year’s 5A state meet, added a runner-up finish in the long jump and qualified in the 100.
Jakobe Davis, jr., Vallivue: Placed third in the 400 and was part of the Falcons’ runner-up 4x400 relay at the 5A state meet last season.
Ethan Minegar, jr., Cole Valley Christian: Landed on the podium in four events at last year’s 4A state meet, taking second in the 200 and fifth in the 100 while sharing in the Chargers’ wins in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Aiden Shanks, sr., Cole Valley Christian: Placed second in the 100 and ran legs on the Chargers’ winning 4x100 and 4x200 relays at the 4A state meet last season.
Ezekiel Van Hofwegen, sr., Fruitland: A two-time district champion in the long jump and triple jump, he claimed the 4A state title in the long jump and placed second in the triple jump at state last season.
Aleczander Campos, jr., Homedale: A three-sport athlete, he was the state runner-up in the 400 and was part of the Trojans’ fourth-place 4x200 relay at last year’s 4A state meet.
Garrett Rogers, jr., McCall-Donnelly: After competing for Cascade last season at the 2A level, he moves into contention in 4A following a state championship in the high jump.
Charlie Speirs, jr., McCall-Donnelly: The reigning 4A individual state cross country champion will contend in the distance races after placing second in the 3,200, third in the 1,600 and eighth in the 800 last season.
Tavin Heritage, sr., Melba: He qualified for the 3A state meet in three events, taking second in the 200 and 10th in the high jump while running a leg on the Mustangs’ second-place 4x200 relay team.
Ian Johnson, sr., Nampa Christian: A member of the Trojans’ state championship football team, Johnson won four golds at last year’s 3A state meet in the 400, 300 hurdles, 4x200 and 4x400.
Zach Vander Woude, jr., Nampa Christian: He returns with a state championship in sight after finishing second in the high jump to a senior at last year’s 3A state meet.
TOP GIRLS TO WATCH
Audrey Orme, sr., Boise: The Gonzaga signee is coming off a runner-up finish at the 6A cross country meet and was fourth in the 1,600 and fifth in the 800 at last year’s state meet.
Bailey Udeze, sr., Borah: A specialist in the discus throw, she locked up a silver medal in the event at last year’s 6A state meet with a personal-best throw of 123-3.
McKenna Chavez, sr., Capital: The BYU softball signee missed last year’s 6A state meet because of state softball, but she won the state shot put title in 2024.
Eden Francis, sr., Capital: The Idaho commit and USATF All-American in the heptathlon is the defending 6A state long jump champ along with finishing third in the 100 hurdles, fifth in the javelin and second in the 4x100 relay.
Christine Huckins, sr., Capital: The reigning Idaho Gatorade athlete of the year holds overall meet records in the 100 and 200, but missed last year’s 6A state meet with a health issue. She posted wins in the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x200 in 2024.
Miriam Stafford, sr., Capital: In the first year as an official state event, she finished second in the javelin at last year’s 6A state meet and will be splitting her time between track and softball this spring.
Annie Herd, jr., Centennial: After taking third in cross country last fall, she’ll be a contender to win the 800 following a runner-up finish in the event at last year’s 6A state meet.
Kami Clayton, sr., Mountain View: She won the 6A state title in the shot put by nearly 4 feet and placed seventh in the discus. She’s committed to Weber State.
Quincy Keller, sr., Mountain View: The Utah Valley commit won four golds at last year’s 6A state meet, sweeping the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x200. Her 200 time in the prelims was an overall meet record.
Lilli Denhardt, sr., Owyhee: She qualified for the 6A state meet in three events, taking second in the 200, third in the 100 and sixth on the Storm’s 4x200 relay.
Hallie Heemeyer, sr., Rocky Mountain: The reigning 6A individual cross country champion placed third in the 800 and 1,600 and was part of the Grizzlies’ winning 4x400 and 4x800 relays at last year’s state meet.
Lauren Rynhart, jr., Rocky Mountain: She claimed the 6A state championship in the pole vault in a very competitive field and added an 11th-place showing in the event at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
Nadja Burkholder, jr., Timberline: The defending state champion in the 6A triple jump added a fourth-place finish in the long jump.
Sasha Livingston, sr., Timberline: She ran to a second-place finish in the 3,200 in a personal-best time at last year’s 6A state meet. She took sixth overall in cross country last fall.
Ella Klekas, jr., Bishop Kelly: She took second in the 800 in a personal-best time, was part of the Knights’ winning medley relay and was sixth in the 4x400 relay.
Addison Richards, jr., Emmett: She won the 5A state pole vault title in 2024 and added a runner-up finish last season. She leads the state with an 11-0 vault this season.
Ryllie Smith, sr., Emmett: The reigning state champion in the 5A discus tossed a personal-best 139-1 and added an eighth-place showing in the shot put.
Olivia Pietrok, sr., Middleton: She took second in the discus behind a senior at last year’s 5A state meet, making her a favorite in the event this season.
Isla Anderson, jr., Skyview: She earned gold in the 400 in a personal-best time of 57.60 and also placed fourth in the 200, third in the 4x400 and fourth in the 4x200 at last year’s 5A state meet.
Skotlynd Cagle, sr., Skyview: The defending 5A state champion in the pole vault cleared a personal-best 11-9 during the 2026 indoor season.
Gracie Knox, jr., McCall-Donnelly: She tied for second in the high jump at last year’s 4A state meet while competing on the Vandals’ 4x200 (fourth) and medley (seventh) relay teams.
Olyvia Denison, sr., Payette: The jumps specialist should once again be a contender at the 4A state meet following a victory in the triple jump, fourth place in the long jump and seventh in the high jump.
Claire Matthews, sr., Weiser: She’ll be a top contender in the distance events after finishing third in the 1,600 and 3,200 and fifth in the 800 at last year’s 4A state meet.
Nyah Richardson, sr., Melba: A versatile athlete, she claimed victory at the 3A state meet in the high jump and also placed 10th in the shot put and 12th in the javelin.
Avery Reece, jr., Nampa Christian: She cleaned up at last year’s 3A state meet, sweeping the 100, 200, 100 hurdles and long jump.
Alyssa Hust, so., Victory Charter: She ran to victory in the 3,200 in a personal-best time and added a third-place showing in the 1,600 and 10th in the 800 at last year’s 2A state meet.
Leah Ray, so., Victory Charter: She earned a runner-up finish in the 300 hurdles, placed fourth in the medley relay and took seventh in the 4x100 relay at last year’s 2A state meet.
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.
6A SIC
Boise: Eli Rich, sr.; Audrey Orme, sr.; Will Studebaker, jr.; Lauren Smith, fr.
Borah: Lucy Johnson, sr.; Myyah Rigsbee, jr.; Anna Van Lith, so.; Bailey Udeze, sr.; Alicia Stankewski, jr.
Caldwell: Emilee Suarez, sr.; Camus Book, sr.; Alan Navarro, so.
Capital: Christine Huckins, sr.; Eden Francis, sr.; Waylon Legler, sr.; Nick Loufoua, sr.
Centennial: Drew Donahue, sr.; Jaylen Matsushita, so.; Annie Herd, jr.
Eagle: Ambrose Brainard, sr.; Tresean Ellis, sr.; Dax Sather, sr.; Ally Metzger, so.; Betsy Reeder, jr.; Aliceann Hillesheim, sr.
Kuna: Izaki Abongela, sr.; Bella Bunnell, sr.; Aubri Minnick, sr.; Ophelia Robison, so.; Chloe Sandberg, sr.; Hailey Long, sr.
Meridian: Lucas Brummer, so.; Uluaifiu Tinofili, jr.; Kever Ryden, so.; Clay Sallee, so.; Hannah Nehring, jr.; Lane Waldron, sr.
Mountain View: Quincy Keller, sr.; Behr Scott, so.; Kami Clayton, sr.; Kota VanDahlen, sr.; Austin Riley, sr.; Lilja Walmsley, sr.
Owyhee: Lilli Denhardt, sr.; Noah Fisher, sr.; Athena Pugmire, so.
Ridgevue: Kaitlyn McGee, sr.; Caden Warren, sr.; Eleanor Armitage, jr.; Amiyah Baxter, sr.; Silas Malizio, jr.
Rocky Mountain: Halli Heemeyer, sr.; Lauren Rynhart, jr.; Hyrum Tuft, sr.; Jack Overy, sr.; Brady Pratt, sr.; Carter Gleave, jr.
Timberline: Ethan Kirkendall, sr.; Sasha Livingston, sr.; Nadia Kouskov, so.; Nadja Burkholder, jr.
5A SIC
Columbia: Ammon Hammer, so.; Carson Hacking, so.; Jade Anderson, sr.; Tyson Winkelman, jr.; Avi Lincoln, so.; Troy Swain, sr.
Emmett: Addison Richards, jr.; Lucas Alvarado, sr.; Ryllie Smith, sr.
Middleton: Kaisten McIntosh, sr.; Jake Perez, sr.; Cruz Thompson, sr.; Olivia Pietrok, sr.; Finlee Fried, sr.; Evony Martinez, jr.
Nampa: Sylvia Wells, sr.; Claire Schinnerer, sr.; Kartez Hernandez, sr.; Cohen Leslie, jr.; Gabriel Keyes, sr.; Armando Calderon, sr.
Skyview: Isla Anderson, jr.; Brinna Nelson, sr.; Skotlynd Cagle, sr.; Natalie Mecham, jr.; Reese Michaelson, sr.; Adele Hille, so.
Vallivue: Jakobe Davis, jr.; Dawson Mann, sr.; Dylan Sterk, sr.
4A SRV
Cole Valley Christian: Kruger Sipe, sr.; Aiden Shanks, sr.; Ethan Minegar, jr.; Carlie Warriner, jr.
Fruitland: Zeke Van Hofwegen, sr.; Kennedy Fitch, so.; Landon Hillam, jr.; Brandt Fisher, jr.; Ella Smith, jr.; Noah Key, so.
Homedale: Alec Compos, jr.; Kayden Barrett, sr.; Morgan Nicoletti, sr.
Payette: Olyvia Denison, sr.; Anthony Fugate, sr.; Calvin Shaffer, sr.
Weiser: Claire Matthews, sr.; Jackson Laird, sr.; Evie Dolton, sr. 3A WIC
Nampa Christian: Ian Johnson, sr.; Avery Reece, jr.
New Plymouth: Jo Gustin, sr.; John Pounds, sr.
Parma: Lily Yeakley, jr.; Layla Page, jr.; Brooke Fisher, so.; Bodee Stell, jr.; Cedre Hein, sr.; Annie Miller, so.
2A WIC
Cascade: Finley Wilkins, sr.; Charlotte Dunn, so.; Nova Guest, jr.
Centennial Baptist: Caleb West, sr.; Gavin Kolb, sr.; Ben Oostra, so.; Jeremiah Hernandez, sr.
Council: Greer Green, jr.; Sara Conaway, sr.
Horseshoe Bend: Caleb Church, sr.; Damian Olsen, so.; Gage Kennedy, jr.
Liberty Charter: Ava Kelpin, fr.; Alexander Xavier, so.; Ella Ashton, so.; Eli McLaren, sr.
Meadows Valley: Natalie Ruth, jr.; Jackie Steiner, sr.; Casen White, jr.
Victory Charter: Alyssa Hust, so.; Libby Stockett, jr.; Leah Ray, so.; JD Willey, so.; Caleb Schlerf, sr.; Taliah Rogers, sr.
Wilder: Conner Smallwood, sr.; Anthony Vivanco, sr.
