Idaho Well Represented at Arcadia Invitational

Apr 06, 2022

Arguably one the most prestigious high school track and field meets in the country, the Arcadia Invitational will be contested this weekend in southern California and some of Idaho's best will be there to showcase their talents

April 6, 2022

ARCADIA, CA. - A tradition unlike any other. Well, there is another tradition at the beginning of April that gets some people equally as excited as the Masters. Right up there with the Penn Relays (a meet that has been around for more than 125 years), is the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in Arcadia, California, a meet that brings with it it's own tradition unlike any other. 'Arcadia' brings the countries best high school track and field athletes from all corners of the U.S. to compete on one stage. Since its inception, the Arcadia invitational has produced 32 national records with 203 future Olympians competing there. There is no doubt that this year will produce more of the same, with 14 current national leaders set to compete this weekend. There is no doubt that this year will produce more of the same, with 14 current national leaders set to compete this weekend.

This year, more than 622 schools will participate from 29 different states. Meet director Rich Gonzalez has a rigorous job of not just putting on a meet of this magnitude, but also the verification process of ensuring all the marks are accurate in order to put together the most competitive heats and flights.

On the boys side, four national leaders will be competing; Colin Sahlman (Newbury Park, CA.) is the national leader in the 800m (1:48.84) and the 3200m (8:33.32), the latter will be his only event for the meet. John Schuler (Jesuit, CA.) is the national leader in the 1500m (3:57.17) will be competing in the invitational heat of the 4x1600m Friday night, and the invitational heat of the one-mile Saturday night. Leo Young (Newbury Park, CA.), the national leader in the 1600m (3:59.32) and the full mile (4:00.77) will be competing in the invitational heat of the 3200m Saturday night. The national leader in the boys 110mHH, Jadyn Marshall (St. Mary's of Stockton, CA.) will be competing in both hurdle races.

On the girls side, this is be a showcase of the best female high school track and field athletes in the country. Autumn Wilson (St. Dominic Savio, TX.) is the national leader in both the 100m (11.19) and the 200m (23.14w) and will be competing in both of those Saturday night. Takiya Cence (Clovis North, CA.) is the national leader in the 400m (53.19), will be competing in the 4x100, 400m, and the 4x400 in Saturday's night meet. Freshman Sadie Engelhardt, (Ventura, CA.) is the national leader in the 800m (2:05.66) but will be competing in the invitational heat of the one mile, where she has the second fastest time in the country with her 4:36.63. The only athlete faster than her in the one mile is Dalia Frias (Mira Costa, CA.), who will be competing in the invitational heat of the DMR Saturday night, set for 7:40pm, and will come back less than an hour later and compete in the invitational 3200m, where she is also the national leader and the only sub-10:00 minute athlete in the country with her 9:59.94. Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA.) is the national leader in the 4x1600m and will be contesting that event, as will the girls of Long Beach Wilson, the national leaders in the sprint medley (100-100-200-400). National leader in the pole vault, Amanda Moll (Capital, WA.) will also be competing with her clearance of 14'09.50."

Plenty of Idaho's finest were entered and accepted into the Arcadia Invitational, so let's take a look at who will be representing the Gem State this weekend in California.

Bishop Kelly and Boise lead the way with 11 total accepted entries each, while Emmett, Highland, Idaho Falls and Skyline also received accepted entries. All times are PST. *Night Meet Event.

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