By Jon Johnson
GLENDALE — The Pima Roughriders track and field teams delivered a standout performance at the Division V State Track and Field Championships on Saturday, with both the boys and girls squads finishing in an impressive 4th place overall. Competing against a field that included 80 teams from the 1A and 2A classifications that comprise Division V, Pima qualified 12 girls and 13 boys and posted multiple podium finishes, set school records, and won two state gold medals.
Cheyenne Alder and Joel Mattice delivered some of the program’s biggest highlights, each claiming individual state championships, while Hanna Ashby scored 30 points individually with three second-place finishes and one bronze.
Alder Dominates Pole Vault for Third Straight Title
Cheyenne Alder continued her reign as one of Arizona’s premier vaulters, winning the girls’ pole vault for the third consecutive year. The Pima junior cleared a new school record and personal best of 10’9”, cementing her legacy as one of the most decorated pole vaulters in Roughriders’ track history.
Mattice Claims High Jump Gold
On the boys’ side, Joel Mattice reached the top of the podium in the high jump, winning the state title by jumping over 6 feet after finishing as runner-up the previous year. His performance capped a strong senior campaign and gave the Roughriders their second gold of the meet. Mattice also finished fifth in the triple jump at 42-04.
Boys Team: 4th Place with 57 Points
The boys accumulated 57 team points to secure 4th place. Beyond Mattice’s gold, several athletes delivered crucial scoring performances:
- Junior Adam Bryce was a standout in the hurdles, taking 2nd in the 110m hurdles (15.11) and 4th in the 300m hurdles (41.20), while also placing 7th in the triple jump (41-10).
- Charles Richardson earned 3rd in the javelin (157-03) and 6th in the 110m hurdles (16.18).
- Stratton McRae had a versatile meet with multiple top-six finishes and broke the school record in the long jump (21.275 feet).
- Dante McCray contributed with a 7th-place finish in the shot put.
Girls Team: 4th Place with 50 Points
The girls’ team posted 50 points for their own 4th-place finish. Hanna Ashby was the top point producer with 30 points across multiple events, including bronze in the 100m, and silver in the 200m, 400m, and long jump (where she shattered the school record at 17’6.75”). Additional contributions came from Brynn Katchner (3rd in shot put) and Stephanie Casey (5th in discus).
A Season to Remember for Pima
Head coaches and fans praised the depth and resilience shown by both squads. With 25 total athletes competing at state and multiple school records falling, the Roughriders demonstrated the strength of their program. The two state gold medals — Alder’s historic three-peat in the pole vault and Mattice’s long-awaited high jump victory — highlighted an outstanding season for Pima track and field.
Other Local Teams in Division V
Morenci had several strong individual and relay performances on the boys’ side. Lyndale Waterhouse placed 7th in the 100m (11.52) and 2nd in the long jump (22-06.50). The Morenci boys 4×100 relay team took 2nd place (43.84), and Derik Lytle earned 2nd in the javelin (160-04).
Division V Boys Team Finals: 1. Glendale Prep Academy 74, 2. St. Johns 73, 3. Round Valley 64, 4. Pima 57, 8. Morenci 30.
On the girls’ side, Kaylee Wiggins placed 6th in the 100m hurdles (17.30).
Division V Girls Team Finals: 1. Phoenix Country Day 81.50, 2. Scottsdale Christian Academy 57, 3. Arizona Lutheran Academy 54, 4. Pima 50, 34. Morenci 4.
Division IV Results
Safford and Thatcher athletes turned in several strong performances in Division IV.
Boys Highlights:
- Matthew Madrid (Safford) took 2nd in the 200m (22.28), 4th in the 300m hurdles (40.06), and 4th in the triple jump (43-06.50).
- Safford’s 4×400 relay team placed 2nd (3:24.70).
- Drew McBride (Safford) cleared 14-06 for 2nd place in pole vault.
- Ryan Jones (Thatcher) placed 3rd in the 400m (50.14).
- Nathan Retana (Thatcher) had strong distance runs, including 6th in the 800m.
- Thatcher’s Bronson Stringfellow placed 4th in high jump and contributed in other events.
Division IV Boys Team Finals: 1. Snowflake 112, 2. Valley Christian 80, 3. ALA-West Foothills 55.50, 5. Safford 43, 8. Thatcher 29.
Girls Highlights:
- Kylia Nelson (Thatcher) placed 2nd in the long jump (17-02.50) and 5th in the pole vault.
- Amy Maybury (Thatcher) took 3rd in triple jump and 6th in high jump.
- Thatcher’s 4×400 relay team placed 3rd, and the 4×100 relay took 4th.
Division IV Girls Team Finals: 1. Snowflake 153, 2. ALA-West Foothills 102, 3. Valley Christian 66, 6. Thatcher 56.83, 27. Safford 0.33.
