40 MAY 2025 Arcadia High’s track and field squads. By Collin Willfong The track and field season is in full swing for teams at Arcadia, Brophy, Xavier, and Veritas Prep. These athletes are all gaining confidence in their events and looking to finish the season on a high note.  Arcadia is enjoying another year of growth under Coach Tyler Moore, who is approaching a decade with the school and is excited about the state of the program. Turnout has continually increased during Coach Moore’s tenure. “We have created an inviting atmosphere and have done a good job encouraging kids to come out and enjoy track,” Coach Moore said. The Titan’s Track & Field team is in a position to have 15 student-athletes qualify for the Division III Championships, including Junior Chase Braden, who excelled in the 800M, 1600M, 3200M, and 1-mile events, and Tess Sage, who will showcase her all-around skillset in the Arizona State Heptathlon. “My favorite part about this team is the camaraderie and support that every athlete shows for each other,” Chase said. “There’s nothing like coming down the home stretch and hearing your friends cheer you on or congratulating a teammate after a PR. We’ve had a really strong season thanks to our dedicated coaches and athletes.”  The Broncos are once again flexing their muscles and Coach Bill Kalkman is enthused about their performance so far. Specifically, Coach Kalkman stated that they are competing strong in the hurdle events, javelin, and long jump. “Strong” may be an understatement when looking at the results. Leading the way in the Men’s 110M hurdles are seniors William DeSpong, Nero Nuez, and Darius Alberty as frequent top-3 finishers – most recently in the Becky Matthews Invitational in which Nero finished first and Darius finished third. Darius also consistently finishes near the top in the javelin throw. Rylan Umphrey has been battling to be the top competitor in the long jump.  Veritas Prep’s program has built momentum with doubled participation compared to last year. Coach Sawyer Koops credits the student-athletes themselves for the increased participation and success. “The kids are seeing the results, pushing themselves hard, and are working together to grow as a unit,” Koops said. “They are as hard working in track and field as they are in academics.” The current team is made up of mostly underclassmen and led by seniors McKenna Swonger and Francesca Skikos. Nearly every athlete has set their own personal records, including a school record in the girls’ distance medley relay by Rachel Barney, Violet Haggerty, Athena Skikos, and Hazel Haggerty. The team’s goal is to compete in the State Championships.  The Gators are beginning to come into their own under Coach Jarret Eaton’s stewardship. Coach Eaton describes this year’s track and field team as “small but mighty.” Several athletes have already posted personal records. This includes seniors Eleanor Borchard in the 200M, 400M, and 110M hurdle, Vivian Amoia in the long jump, Marley Stoller in the 200M, Susannah Root in the pole vault, Ella Wadsworth in the 1600M and 3200M, and Alexa Zowine who is ranked second in the state for the javelin throw. “It has been awesome to see them grow in their time here, fall in love with the sport and reap the benefits of the years and years of hard work,” Coach Eaton said. Track and field teams hit their stride in a season of record-breaking performances

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