March 16, 2022
BOYS - 5A
After a stellar freshman campaign, Luke Athay of Idaho Falls, now only a sophomore, looks to match his success in 2022 after his state runner-up performance in the 1600m (4:19.11) and the 3200m (9:19.92). With the graduation of Borah's Nathan Green, last years 5A state champion in both the 1600 and 3200 (4:07.90/8:53.47), the latter of which was an overall state record, the heir apparent is that of Athay who looks to take the distance reigns in 2022. In the two-lap event, the times should be equally impressive with the return of senior Jacob Van Orden of Highland, who returns after his state runner-up finish last season and is the top returner with his 1:53.79 from last year's 5A state championship. The Rigby duo of Benjamin Ricks (12) and Spencer Nelson (11) are the next two fastest returners after their third and fourth place finishes at last years state championships, respectively, with times of 1:55.90 and 1:57.57.
Top Returners in 2022 (2021 State Championship Performances, Current Grade)
3200m
Luke Athay (10, Idaho Falls) 9:19.82 (State Runner Up) Seth Bingham (12, Thunder Ridge) 9:22.78 (Fifth Place) Trent Wigod (12, Rocky Mountain) 9:37.20 (Tenth Place) Noe Kemper (10, Boise) 9:42.25 (Eleventh Place) Zac Pollock (12, Rocky Mountain) 9:49.42 (Twelfth Place)
1600m
Luke Athay (10, Idaho Falls) 4:19.11 (State Runner Up) Benjamin Ricks (12, Rigby) 4:21.96 (Sixth Place) Trent Wigod (12, Rocky Mountain) 4:24.13 (Eleventh Place) Sean Janecko (12, Timberline) 4:25.55 (Twelfth Place) Tyler Sainsbury (11, Rocky Mountain) 4:28.28 (Fourteenth Place)
800m
Jacob Van Ordern (12, Highland) 1:53.79 (State Runner Up) Benjamin Ricks (12, Rigby) 1:55.90 (Third Place) Spencer Nelson (11, Rigby) 1:57.57 (Fourth Place) Sergio Nunez (12, Capital) 1:59.78 (Ninth Place) Jesse Halladay (12, Mountain View) 2:02.08 (Twelfth Place)
BOYS - 4A
In the 4A boys 3200, the state championship door is left wide open with the first four finishes all graduated. The next athlete up is senior Eli Gregory of Blackfoot, who placed sixth at the 2021 4A state championships with his time of 9:31.76 and his teammate, junior Matt Thomas of Blackfoot being the next fastest returner (9:40.75) from the state championship. These two athletes switch roles in the 1600, with Thomas being the fastest returner in 4A after his fifth place finish at the 4A state championships (4:20.56) with Gregory on his heels in sixth (4:21.21). The 800 has a tight window of returners, led by junior Brody Burch of Pocatello (1:56.94). Rounding out the top returners in the 800 are Gregory and Thomas of Blackfoot who tripled last year, and both had sub-2:00 efforts.
Top Returners in 2022 (2021 State Championship Performances, Current Grade)
3200m
Eli Gregory (12, Blackfoot) 9:31.76 (Sixth Place) Matt Thomas (11, Blackfoot) 9:40.75 (Ninth Place) Tyler Mesaros (12, Bishop Kelly) 9:51.77 (12th Place) Stockton Stevens (11, Twin Falls) 9:52.37 (13th Place) Samuel Fish (11, Vallivue) 9:52.53 (14th Place)
1600m
Matt Thomas (11, Blackfoot) 4:20.56 (5th place) Eli Gregory (12, Blackfoot) 4:21.21 (6th Place) Ridge Wilding (12, Skyline) 4:32.35 (11th Place) Austin Clough (11, Bishop Kelly) 4:33.30 (13th Place) Kevin Corrigan (11 Bishop Kelly) 4:34.23 (14th Place)
800m
Brody Burch (11, Pocatello) 1:56.94 (State Runner-Up) Myles Guerreo (12, Century) 1:57.28 (3rd Place) Sunny Gunn (12, Pocatello) 1:57.84 (5th Place) Eli Gregory (12, Blackfoot) 1:59.13 (8th Place) Matt Thomas (11, Blackfoot) 1:59.58 (9th Place)
3200m (Top Returner, 2021 State Placing)
3A Keegan McCraw (Snake River) 10:14.56 (4th Place)
2A Grady Mylander (Nampa Christian) 9:20.13 (State Champion, Class Record)
1A Ian Stockett (Victory Charter) 9:36.07 (State Champion)
1600m (Top Returner, 2021 State Placing)
3A Charles Henslee (Bonners Ferry) 4:27.28 (State Champion)
2A Grady Mylander (Nampa Christian) 4:19.08 (State Champion, Class Record)
1A Ian Stockett (Victory Charter) 4:27.67 (State Champion)
800m (Top Returner, 2021 State Placing)
3A Porter Holt (Sugar-Salem) 1:57.87 (2nd Place)
2A Grady Mylander (Nampa Christian) 1:59.20 (State Champion)
1A Cole Wilkerson (Grace) 1:58.49 (2nd Place)