The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Part 2 — jumps, pole vault, and distance events

Region 1 enters the spring with a deep pool of talent across the jumps, pole vault, and distance events, and several events appear poised for dramatic shifts as new contenders rise and returning stars look to defend their ground. This second part of the boys’ preview highlights the athletes and storylines that will shape the season in some of the most technical and electrifying events on the track.

Long jump

The long jump becomes one of the most intriguing events in the region the moment Weber senior Josh Hamblin steps back into the picture. Even though he did not compete in the event last season, Hamblin is the 2024 state champion with a personal best of 22 feet 6 inches, a mark that instantly makes him the top jumper in Region 1 and a legitimate state title threat once again. With his dominance in many different events, his return to the long jump is up in the air, but it would add a dramatic new layer to a field that was already shaping up to be one of the deepest in recent memory.

Syracuse’s defending region champion Tanner Merrill, who soared 21‑11 last spring, now finds himself with a formidable challenger. Merrill’s consistency and technical polish still make him one of the premier jumpers in Utah, and his steady progression suggests he is capable of pushing past the 22‑foot barrier. His teammate, junior Logan Davis, enters with a personal-best 21‑4 and continues to close the gap, giving the Titans a powerful duo capable of scoring major points.

Layton’s JP Garlick, the third‑best returner at 20‑9.5, brings explosive speed that could translate into a breakthrough season, especially with the heightened competition pushing the entire field forward.

Davis High adds even more depth with athletes like Makaio Byrd and Isaac Morrison, both of whom have the potential to climb into the top tier. At the same time, Layton’s Nathan Meacham provides another strong presence capable of disrupting the established order. With Hamblin’s return, Merrill’s title defense, and a wave of rising talent across the region, the long jump has transformed into one of the most anticipated showdowns of the spring.

High jump

The high jump will crown a new champion, and Layton senior Griffin Davis enters the season as the athlete most likely to seize that title. Davis is the only returning jumper to have cleared 6′, with a 6’2″ personal best, and his experience gives him a slight edge in an event where composure often matters as much as raw ability. A tightly packed group sits just behind him, creating the potential for a dramatic showdown throughout the spring.

Davis junior Sam Coleman, Weber junior Tylen Chase, and Syracuse senior Gabriel Hyde all cleared 5‑11 last season and have shown flashes of the consistency needed to challenge for the top spot. With so many athletes clustered near the same height, the event may come down to who can find rhythm early and avoid costly misses when the bar rises.Pole vault

Pole vault

In the pole vault, the Darts return the most formidable duo in the region. Junior Joshua Conlin, who finished second at last year’s region championships after tying for the top height at 12‑3 but taking second on misses, leads the way. His technical refinement and steady progression make him a strong candidate to claim the 2026 title outright.

Senior teammate Samuel Saltern, who also owns a personal best of 12‑3 and placed third last season, gives Davis a powerful one‑two punch that could sweep the top positions. With both athletes capable of clearing higher bars this spring, the Darts enter the season as the clear favorites to control the event at the region championship.

800m

The 800m event in Region 1 has evolved into a true blend of speed and strategy, where breaking the 2:00 barrier all but guarantees valuable team points. Davis leads the way with three runners already under 2:00, including senior Harrison Hughs (1:59.17 from last year), and early-season standouts juniors Noah Hauck (1:56.85) and Parker Olsen (1:58.52).

Layton brings two proven sub-2:00 athletes in Jake Pugmire (1:56.95) and Lincoln Swan (1:58.49), giving the Lancers a strong one-two punch. Farmington junior Malachi Peterson (1:59.28) adds another legitimate scorer to an already deep field. With multiple athletes already under two minutes and several more knocking on the door, the 800m is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting races of the season.

1600m

The 1600 meters returns as one of Region 1’s most talent‑heavy events, bringing back six of the top eight finishers from last year and introducing early‑season breakthroughs that suggest the race could be faster and more unpredictable than it has been in years. At the front of that group is Weber senior Wyatt Rich, the 2025 runner‑up, whose 4:20.36 personal best makes him the top returning athlete and the most experienced championship racer in the field.

Layton counters with the deepest lineup in the region, a trio of seniors who have all run in the mid‑4:20s and have the potential to control races simply through numbers. Colin Pugmire leads the group with a 4:21.80 best. His brother, Jake, sits close behind at 4:23.38, while Lincoln Swan, a 4:26.11 performer, could be the next Lancer to break into the low‑4:20s. Together, the three give Layton a pack-running advantage that few teams in the region can match.

Davis brings a pair of juniors who could disrupt the senior-heavy hierarchy. Harrison Skousen, already a 4:23.17 miler, races with a confidence that often forces the field to respond earlier than planned. His teammate Hauck, a 4:28.00 runner, if both continue to progress, the Darts could place two athletes in the top five by May.

Syracuse adds another compelling contender in senior Zach Smith, who has already posted a 4:23.12 in the early weeks of the 2026 season. That mark positions him as one of the fastest returners in current form; he could be the athlete most capable of challenging Rich’s hold on the event.

With so many athletes clustered between 4:20 and 4:26, the 1600 meters is shaping up to be a race where tactics, team depth, and late-season development will matter as much as raw speed. A winning time in the 4:17–4:18 range is well within reach if the race goes out honestly, and the battle for the top three could feature as many as six legitimate contenders.

3200m

The 3200 meters opens the season with a surge of fast early marks, led by Skousen, who clocked a 9:22.63 to establish himself once again as the runner to beat. Skousen is the defending Region 1 champion and looks every bit as sharp as he did last spring.

Layton’s Parker Harris has emerged as the most immediate challenger after posting a 9:25.06, signaling a major leap forward for the sophomore. His teammate Colin Pugmire, who ran 9:30.68 last season, adds depth to Layton’s distance group and remains firmly in the mix.

Smith from Syracuse has also opened 2026 well with a 9:38.89, positioning himself as a reliable scorer and potential top‑five threat. The field behind them is deep, with Farmington junior Hudson Scott (9:43.14), Weber’s Rich (9:43.83), and Davis’ Hauck (9:46.60) all capable of pushing into the top tier as the season progresses.

all times and marks courtesy of athletic.net and sporttrax.com

photos courtesy of James Tate