- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,169,254
- Reaction score
- 59
Here is The Arizona Republic's 2026 All-Arizona High School Girls Track and Field Team, along with honorable mentions and our coach of the year. The 12 All-Arizona Team players (listed alphabetically) are finalists for our Player of the Year, which will be announced on June 7.
You can vote in our polls below for the athletes you think should be the player of the year for the 2026 season. The polls close at 6 p.m. on June 6. Print readers can find the polls online with this story at azcentral.com/sports. (Note, the polls reflect reader opinion but the winner is selected by The Republic sports staff apart from the poll result).
Brailyn Clouse, ALA Queen Creek, throws, Sr.
She won nine of 11 shot put events she competed in. Took home the Division III state title. Was the AIA state champion. Ended the season as the state leader at 43 feet, 11 inches, a full three feet ahead of the No. 2-ranked athlete.
Ava Davis, Goodyear Millennium, sprints, So.
The super sophomore continued to build on her burgeoning career, going undefeated in the 200 meters. She won the Division I title. Ended the season as the AIA state champion. Her time of 23.76 seconds in the 200 is the state lead and made her only the second sophomore in state history (Mayen Usoro) to go under 24 seconds in the event. Also ran 11.80 in the 100.
Taylor Drewry, Chandler Basha, distance, Sr.
The three-time cross-country state champion finally got to put together a healthy track season after injuries derailed previous years. Drewry, an Arizona State signee, won the Division I state title in the 1,600. She was the AIA state champion in the 3,200. Drewry led the state in the 1,600 (4:56.25) and 3,200 (10:31.81).
Imani Galera-Young, Chandler, hurdles, Sr.
Put together a year to remember, breaking the Arizona state record in the 300-meter hurdles at 40.65. In the 300-hurdles, the Arkansas signee won eight out of nine races (with the Arcadia Invitational being the only loss). She went under 14 seconds in every single 100-meter hurdle race she competed in. Galera-Young swept both hurdle titles at the Division I and AIA State Championships. She ended the season at 13.53 in the 100-hurdles, No. 2 in the state.
Aulani Gleason, Gilbert Mesquite, sprints, Fr.
Produced one of the best seasons from a freshman in Arizona. She won Division III state titles in the 100, 200 and 400. She was second in the 400 at the AIA State Championships. Her time of 53.56 made her the first freshman in the state to go under 54 seconds in the event. Nationally, Gleason is No. 3 among freshmen for the 400.
Kyra Hogarth, Chandler, jumps, Jr.
One of the state’s best pole vaulters. Won the Division I state title. Finished runner-up at the AIA State Championships. Cleared a state-leading mark of 12-9.
Tatum Lee, Phoenix Desert Vista, throws, Sr.
Won 12 of 13 meets in which she competed. Won Division I state titles in the discus and shot put. Was the AIA state champion in the discus. Ended the season as the state leader in the discus at 150-3, No. 9 all-time in state history.
Aliyah Morrow, Chandler Hamilton, sprints, Jr.
Morrow ran 53.64 to finish second at the Division I Championships. The next week, Morrow ran 53.52 to become the AIA state champion and move up to No. 2 in state history. Morrow was part of the first two 400-meter races in Arizona to feature two sub-54 runners.
Addysan Prassas, Phoenix North Canyon, sprints, Sr.
She was the best 100-meter sprinter from start to finish. Won the Division II state title in the 100. Was the AIA state champion in the 100 and ran on both sprint-relay teams, helping North Canyon win its first Open team state title. Finished the season as the state leader in the 100 (11.78).
Nicole Ripperdan, Queen Creek, sprints/mid-distance, Sr.
Had a truly all-time season, displaying her incredible range. She went almost undefeated in both the 400 and 800, winning 14 out of 16 races between the two events. She won Division I state titles in the 400 and 800, running 53.54 in the 400 – No. 3 all-time in Arizona. The Utah State signee nearly broke the state record in the 800 (2:06.01), running 2:06.05.
Kyana Williams, Chandler Hamilton, jumps, Sr.
The future New Mexico Lobo was almost perfect in the high jump. She won the Division I state title. Was the AIA state champion, clearing 5-9. She just cleared 5-10 at the USATF Arizona State Championships, moving up to a tie for No. 6 in state history.
Brooke Zuluaga, Chandler Seton Catholic Prep, throws, Sr.
Softball may be her main sport, but Zuluaga is a special talent in the javelin. The Miami (Ohio) softball commit didn’t lose a single meet. She won the Division IV state title. Was the AIA state champion. Her throw of 157-8 at the Chandler City Championships puts her at No. 3 in state history.
Honorable mention: Amerah Richardson, Arizona College Prep, jumps/sprints, Sr.; Gabbie Banning, Chaparral, multi-events, Sr.; Tally Call, ALA Queen Creek, distance, Jr.; Averie Cowden, Horizon, jumps, Jr.; Makayla Armstrong, Maricopa, jumps, Sr.; Jayci Ballard, Snowflake, hurdles, Sr.; Bianca Hurtado, Gilbert Campo Verde, mid-distance, Sr.; Kylee Blair, Queen Creek, sprints, Sr.; Christina Keller, Scottsdale Christian Academy, jumps, Sr.; McKenna Brown, Arizona College Prep, jumps, Sr.; Avery Luke, Mountain Ridge, throws, Jr.; Victoria Williams, Cienega, throws, Sr.; Rylee Fields, Canyon View, throws, Sr.; Deztany Toyota-Villalobos, Buena, sprints, So.; Kyla Powell, Cactus Canyon (former Cesar Chavez), sprints, Sr.; Ryane Ast, Canyon View, sprints/mid-distance, Sr.; Allison Reamer, Cactus Shadows, mid-distance, Jr.; Bryn Kupfer, Snowflake, multi-events, Jr.; Peyton Rae-Isaac, Canyon View, sprints, So.; Audra Huempfner, Highland, distance, Sr.; Karsten Lewis, Oro Valley Canyon Del Oro, hurdles, Sr.; Tiana Becketts, North Canyon, hurdles, Jr.; Faith Gentry, South Mountain, throws, Sr.
Airabin Justin, Phoenix North Canyon
Since taking over the Phoenix North Canyon program, coach Airabin "AJ" Justin has turned the Rattlers into a championship-winning school. North Canyon has won six state titles since 2017, including producing some of the fastest athletes in state history — Jadyn Mays, Dominique Mustin — during that time. All that was missing from Justin's coaching resumé was an Open state title. That ended in 2026, with North Canyon (56 points) edging out Waddell Canyon View (52) and Queen Creek (46). It was a tremendous coaching job from Justin, who had to deal with the departure of his star hurdler in April. North Canyon also had an assistant coach miss part of the season due to prostate cancer, adding to the adversity. North Canyon is now tied for No. 4 in AIA history for most state championships.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Republic 2026 All-Arizona girls high school track team
Continue reading...
You can vote in our polls below for the athletes you think should be the player of the year for the 2026 season. The polls close at 6 p.m. on June 6. Print readers can find the polls online with this story at azcentral.com/sports. (Note, the polls reflect reader opinion but the winner is selected by The Republic sports staff apart from the poll result).
All-Arizona 2026 Girls Track and Field Team of the Year
Brailyn Clouse, ALA Queen Creek, throws, Sr.
She won nine of 11 shot put events she competed in. Took home the Division III state title. Was the AIA state champion. Ended the season as the state leader at 43 feet, 11 inches, a full three feet ahead of the No. 2-ranked athlete.
Ava Davis, Goodyear Millennium, sprints, So.
The super sophomore continued to build on her burgeoning career, going undefeated in the 200 meters. She won the Division I title. Ended the season as the AIA state champion. Her time of 23.76 seconds in the 200 is the state lead and made her only the second sophomore in state history (Mayen Usoro) to go under 24 seconds in the event. Also ran 11.80 in the 100.
Taylor Drewry, Chandler Basha, distance, Sr.
The three-time cross-country state champion finally got to put together a healthy track season after injuries derailed previous years. Drewry, an Arizona State signee, won the Division I state title in the 1,600. She was the AIA state champion in the 3,200. Drewry led the state in the 1,600 (4:56.25) and 3,200 (10:31.81).
You must be registered for see images
Imani Galera-Young, Chandler, hurdles, Sr.
Put together a year to remember, breaking the Arizona state record in the 300-meter hurdles at 40.65. In the 300-hurdles, the Arkansas signee won eight out of nine races (with the Arcadia Invitational being the only loss). She went under 14 seconds in every single 100-meter hurdle race she competed in. Galera-Young swept both hurdle titles at the Division I and AIA State Championships. She ended the season at 13.53 in the 100-hurdles, No. 2 in the state.
You must be registered for see images
Aulani Gleason, Gilbert Mesquite, sprints, Fr.
Produced one of the best seasons from a freshman in Arizona. She won Division III state titles in the 100, 200 and 400. She was second in the 400 at the AIA State Championships. Her time of 53.56 made her the first freshman in the state to go under 54 seconds in the event. Nationally, Gleason is No. 3 among freshmen for the 400.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kyra Hogarth, Chandler, jumps, Jr.
One of the state’s best pole vaulters. Won the Division I state title. Finished runner-up at the AIA State Championships. Cleared a state-leading mark of 12-9.
Tatum Lee, Phoenix Desert Vista, throws, Sr.
Won 12 of 13 meets in which she competed. Won Division I state titles in the discus and shot put. Was the AIA state champion in the discus. Ended the season as the state leader in the discus at 150-3, No. 9 all-time in state history.
Aliyah Morrow, Chandler Hamilton, sprints, Jr.
Morrow ran 53.64 to finish second at the Division I Championships. The next week, Morrow ran 53.52 to become the AIA state champion and move up to No. 2 in state history. Morrow was part of the first two 400-meter races in Arizona to feature two sub-54 runners.
You must be registered for see images
Addysan Prassas, Phoenix North Canyon, sprints, Sr.
She was the best 100-meter sprinter from start to finish. Won the Division II state title in the 100. Was the AIA state champion in the 100 and ran on both sprint-relay teams, helping North Canyon win its first Open team state title. Finished the season as the state leader in the 100 (11.78).
You must be registered for see images attach
Nicole Ripperdan, Queen Creek, sprints/mid-distance, Sr.
Had a truly all-time season, displaying her incredible range. She went almost undefeated in both the 400 and 800, winning 14 out of 16 races between the two events. She won Division I state titles in the 400 and 800, running 53.54 in the 400 – No. 3 all-time in Arizona. The Utah State signee nearly broke the state record in the 800 (2:06.01), running 2:06.05.
Kyana Williams, Chandler Hamilton, jumps, Sr.
The future New Mexico Lobo was almost perfect in the high jump. She won the Division I state title. Was the AIA state champion, clearing 5-9. She just cleared 5-10 at the USATF Arizona State Championships, moving up to a tie for No. 6 in state history.
Brooke Zuluaga, Chandler Seton Catholic Prep, throws, Sr.
Softball may be her main sport, but Zuluaga is a special talent in the javelin. The Miami (Ohio) softball commit didn’t lose a single meet. She won the Division IV state title. Was the AIA state champion. Her throw of 157-8 at the Chandler City Championships puts her at No. 3 in state history.
Honorable mention: Amerah Richardson, Arizona College Prep, jumps/sprints, Sr.; Gabbie Banning, Chaparral, multi-events, Sr.; Tally Call, ALA Queen Creek, distance, Jr.; Averie Cowden, Horizon, jumps, Jr.; Makayla Armstrong, Maricopa, jumps, Sr.; Jayci Ballard, Snowflake, hurdles, Sr.; Bianca Hurtado, Gilbert Campo Verde, mid-distance, Sr.; Kylee Blair, Queen Creek, sprints, Sr.; Christina Keller, Scottsdale Christian Academy, jumps, Sr.; McKenna Brown, Arizona College Prep, jumps, Sr.; Avery Luke, Mountain Ridge, throws, Jr.; Victoria Williams, Cienega, throws, Sr.; Rylee Fields, Canyon View, throws, Sr.; Deztany Toyota-Villalobos, Buena, sprints, So.; Kyla Powell, Cactus Canyon (former Cesar Chavez), sprints, Sr.; Ryane Ast, Canyon View, sprints/mid-distance, Sr.; Allison Reamer, Cactus Shadows, mid-distance, Jr.; Bryn Kupfer, Snowflake, multi-events, Jr.; Peyton Rae-Isaac, Canyon View, sprints, So.; Audra Huempfner, Highland, distance, Sr.; Karsten Lewis, Oro Valley Canyon Del Oro, hurdles, Sr.; Tiana Becketts, North Canyon, hurdles, Jr.; Faith Gentry, South Mountain, throws, Sr.
Vote: Who's No. 1?
Coach of the Year
Airabin Justin, Phoenix North Canyon
Since taking over the Phoenix North Canyon program, coach Airabin "AJ" Justin has turned the Rattlers into a championship-winning school. North Canyon has won six state titles since 2017, including producing some of the fastest athletes in state history — Jadyn Mays, Dominique Mustin — during that time. All that was missing from Justin's coaching resumé was an Open state title. That ended in 2026, with North Canyon (56 points) edging out Waddell Canyon View (52) and Queen Creek (46). It was a tremendous coaching job from Justin, who had to deal with the departure of his star hurdler in April. North Canyon also had an assistant coach miss part of the season due to prostate cancer, adding to the adversity. North Canyon is now tied for No. 4 in AIA history for most state championships.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Republic 2026 All-Arizona girls high school track team
Continue reading...
