The 2017 track and field season came to a close at the Arizona Interscholastic Association State Championship on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6, at Mesa Community College.
Camp Verde High School sent seven individuals and one relay team to the meet, competing in Division IV. Top performances came from sophomore Chris Holdgrafer, who took second place in the 110-meter hurdles, and junior Nate Schultz, fourth in the triple jump.
Holdgrafer, who took eighth a season ago, finished in 16.24 seconds, less than a second faster than third place.
“I was very surprised,” Holdgrafer said. “I don’t remember anything, just the dying will to win.”
With two years left to improve, he said that his goal is to eclipse the school record in the event, which is 15.16.
Holdgrafer also competed in the long jump, but did not qualify for the finals.
Schultz, while not reaching a personal best mark, still reached the podium in the triple jump with a leap of 42-05. In the long jump, he finished 13th with a 20-02.5.
Schultz did compete in a running event, the 300-meter hurdles. He qualified for the final in a season-best 42.75 and took sixth overall in 43.78.
“It’s the first time I’m competing in something other than the high jump and 4×800 relay [at state],” Schultz said. “I’m going to have to practice in the offseason. God let’s me compete to the best of my ability.”
Junior Matthew Wade competed in the discus, taking 22nd at 106-06, well under his average performances this season. His season best of 126-08 would have placed him 10th.
For the girls, senior Alana Neary was a three-event competitor. She did not reach the final in the 300 hurdles but was satisfied with her triple jump, despite it not counting due to a scratch by a slight margin. Neary finished 18th with a leap of 30-07.
Sophomore Chaeli Hohn [30-06.5] was 19th in the event and junior Bryanna Truett was 20th [30-05.25]. Truett also competed in the high jump.
Senior Shayla Campbell-Kilburn competed in the shot put and discus. In the discus [94-01] she finished sixth and in the shot put 23rd [26-10].
“I think I did really good, there was a lot to improve but I gave it my best,” Campbell-Kilburn said. “I’m disappointed it’s my last year.”
The girls 4×800 relay team finished seventh in 11:05.78.
