Logan StanleyArizona Republic
This is The Arizona Republic's All-Arizona girls track and field team and coach of the year for the 2024 season. Twelve athletes have been selected. They also are the nominees for girls' high school track athlete of the year (listed alphabetically) along with honorable mentions and the girls' coach of the year.
The athletes of the year will be announced at the Arizona High School Sports Awards, presented by Diamond Kitchen & Bath, event on June 17 at Arizona Financial Theater in downtown Phoenix along with players of the year in other high school sports for the 2023-24 school year. The show is produced in partnership with Western States Home Services. Follow this link to learn more about the event, or visit azcentral.com.
The Republic's Girls All-Arizona Track and Field Team
Sofia Boonzaayer, Glendale Prep Academy, throws, Jr.: Greatly improved this spring to win the AIA state championship in the shot put, throwing 42-3.75 for the title. Her season best was 43-3. Boonzaayer came into the season with a lifetime best of 36-3, so it’s a 7-foot improvement.
Zalaya Dupre, Glendale Copper Canyon, jumps, Jr.: Broke Chandler’s Jasmine Todd’s 2011 state record in the triple jump at the AIA state championships, jumping 41-9.5 feet. Dupre only picked up the triple jump for the first time four weeks before she broke the record. Also won the state title in the triple jump at 19-3.
Rebekah-Jhade Garrett, Phoenix North Canyon, hurdles, So.: Won the AIA state championship in the 100-meter hurdles in 13.44, which is the No. 3 time in state history and No. 5 currently in the U.S. Only lost one hurdle race the whole season.
Jea Genet, Gilbert Highland, throws, Sr.: The converted softball player and BYU commit won the AIA state championship in the javelin in her first season of the sport, throwing 145-3. On the year, Genet’s best was 152-10, the No. 4 throw in state history and currently No. 12 in the U.S.
Landen LeBlond, Goodyear Millennium, distance, Sr.: Swept both the 1,600 meters (4:53.76) and 3,200 meters (10:40.90) at the AIA state championships. The Oregon commit was the only athlete in the spring to run under 5 minutes in the 1,600 meters.
Kori Martin, Chandler Hamilton, hurdles, Sr.: The Kentucky commit set the Arizona state record in the 100-meter hurdles at the Nike Chandler Rotary Invitational, running 13.32 seconds to take down Gilbert Williams Field alum Saira Prince's record less than one year after it was set. That time is No. 4 in the U.S. Helped Hamilton win its first-ever AIA state championship in track and field.
Brooklyn Montgomery, Gilbert Campo Verde, throws, Sr.: Threw 156-6 in the discus at the True Grit Invite, the No. 5 mark in state history. The BYU commit won the AIA state championship. The only meet Montgomery didn’t win was the Arcadia Invitational – she was 11-1 this spring in the discus. Nationally, Montgomery is ranked No. 20 for the event.
Stacey Onyepunuka, Avondale Agua Fria, sprints, Sr.: Won the AIA state championship in the 200 meters and finished second in the 100 meters. At the Chandler Rotary Invitational, the Kentucky-bound Onyepunuka ran 11.70 in the 100 and 23.61 in the 200. Her time in the 200 is No. 5 in state history.
Jocelyn Phillips, Chandler Basha, jumps, Sr.: Won the AIA state championship in the pole vault, clearing a personal best of 12-9. The Utah Valley University commit started the season as the state leader in the event and ended the year as the state leader.
Annaleise Taylor, Waddell Canyon View, hurdles, Sr.: Ran the No. 2 time in state history for the 300-meter hurdles at the AIA state championships (41.09) as she won the title. The time is No. 4 in the U.S. The Oregon commit also ran 13.67 in the 100-meter hurdles to finish second at the state meet and went 18-0 in the long jump this season. Led Canyon View to the Division II team title.
Mayen Usoro, Laveen Cesar Chavez, sprints, So.: Ran 11.50 in the 100 meters (No. 4 in state history) and 23.48 in the 200 meters (No. 2 in state history) at the Chandler Rotary Invitational. Won the AIA state title in the 100 meters. Usoro ran under 11.76 in every single 100-meter race in the spring.
Kyana Williams, American Leadership Academy Queen Creek, So.: Won the AIA state championship in the high jump at 5-6. Williams came into the season with a personal best of 5-8, which she did as an unattached athlete in December.
Honorable mention: Devyn Henderson, Phoenix North Canyon, sprints, Fr.; Rickaiya Whitman, Phoenix Desert Vista, sprints, Jr.; Saylor McMillon, Peoria Liberty, sprints, So.; Anaya Quarles, Chandler, sprints, Sr.; Bianca Hurtado, Gilbert Campo Verde, distance, So.; Nicole Ripperdan, Queen Creek, distance, So.; Kimi Cahoon, Phoenix Country Day School, distance, Sr.; Brooklyn Hanania, Phoenix Desert Vista, distance, Sr.; Sophia Noriega, Chandler, distance, Sr.; Jadyn Montgomery, Queen Creek, hurdles, Sr.; Imani Galera-Young, Chandler, hurdles, So.; Eleanor Borchard, Phoenix Xavier Prep, hurdles; Aniyah Martin, Phoenix Sunnyslope, hurdles, So.; Erika Grossman, Goodyear Millennium, throws, Sr.; Sydnee Finch, Eagar Round Valley, throws, Jr.; Gabriella Garcia, Chandler Basha, throws, Sr.; Jezelle Santiago, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, jumps, Sr.; Madisyn Williams, Chandler Hamilton, jumps, Sr.; Jaiden Ware, Chandler Hamilton, jumps, So.; Madison Martinez, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, jumps, Sr.; M’tima Hamilton, Mesa Red Mountain, jumps, Sr.
Coach of the Year
E.J. Martin, Hamilton
Since its inception in 1998, Hamilton has become one of the state’s premier athletic programs. But one of the few sports that remained without a state title was track and field. That’s over now. Martin had a vision when he was first hired and that moment was realized at the AIA state championships as Hamilton beat cross-town rival Chandler 55-52 to win the title. Martin had athletes spread out across the sprints, hurdles and jumps to bring home the trophy.
