The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Part 2 – distance events, long jump, high jump, pole vault

Distance events 800m, 1600m & 3200m

In the 800 meters, Davis junior Erin Christensen and Syracuse senior Kennedy Hadley enter the spring as the two athletes most likely to battle for the Region 1 crown. Christensen owns the top returning mark at 2:17.17, while Hadley finished second at last year’s region championships in a personal‑best 2:18.97.

Layton sophomore Eliza Thornley should provide a strong challenge, and Syracuse junior Demsey Bradshaw gives the Titans another legitimate contender. Additional athletes capable of breaking into the scoring mix include Davis junior Eliza Knechtel, Weber senior Gracie Rodarte, and Weber junior Laney Tolman.

The 1600 meters again projects as one of the most balanced and competitive races in the region. The top four returners, all underclassmen last spring, finished within four seconds of each other at the 2024 region championship meet. Bradshaw led that group with a 5:12.70 for third place, followed by Farmington sophomore Ellie Dorius in 5:13.76, Christensen from Davis in 5:14.26, and Thornley, 5:16.51, from Layton.

Bradshaw later became the top Region 1 finisher at the state meet, giving her a slight edge entering the season.

Thornley, however, returns with the fastest overall mark in the event at 5:10.55, and her victory at the Region 1 Cross Country Championships signals a strong likelihood of a breakout track season.

In the 3200 meters, Bradshaw may again be a factor. Still, the event is expected to be anchored by a proven trio: Davis junior standout Izzy Cram, Weber senior Catherine Wald, and Thornley of Layton.

Cram is the defending Region 1 champion and won last year’s title by eight seconds over Wald, establishing herself as the clear athlete to beat. Thornley finished fifth in that race, with Bradshaw close behind, setting up another deep and competitive field.

Cram is off to a great start of the 2026 season, clocking an 11:04.69 state qualifying and personal best time in the 3200m. Watch for Cram’s teammate, sophomore Addison Loveland, who ran an 11:38.81 early this season, which would have placed her fifth at last year’s region championships.

Long jump

The long jump once again runs through Farmington junior Addisyn Webb, the defending region champion and top returning athlete after soaring 17’10” last season. Webb also placed third at the state meet, cementing herself as the clear favorite and a major point‑scoring anchor for the Phoenix as they chase the region title.

Layton counters with a strong duo in seniors Brynn Kingston and Sophia Robinson, last year’s region runner‑up and third‑place finisher. Both have surpassed the 16‑foot mark and bring the experience and consistency to pressure Webb throughout the spring. Watch for Syracuse junior McKenzie Hislop to be right there throughout the season. Hislop has an early mark of 16’6″.

Additional contenders who could shake up the podium include Syracuse junior Talia Thompson, sophomore Isla Jensen, Weber junior Ivee Berdinner, and Layton senior Eden Sharton, each capable of delivering a breakout performance.

High jump

The high jump features another returning region champion in Syracuse junior Brinley Barkdull, who cleared 5’3″ to win last year’s title before finishing second at the state championships. Her poise and competitive edge make her a reliable early‑season leader for the Titans.

Weber senior Sophie Sparrow, a Weber State volleyball commit, brings elite athleticism and a personal best of 5’4″. Sparrow placed fourth at the 2024 state meet and has the talent to push Barkdull for the top spot.

Other athletes poised to contend include Layton senior Sophie Heiner, Davis senior Ava Cozens, Weber junior London Jacobs, Syracuse junior Alex Secrist, Farmington junior Isabella Tolman, and sophomore Mary Snow, all of whom have shown steady progression and could factor into the scoring mix.

Pole Vault

Farmington senior Saige Baxter, the defending region champion, returns as the headliner in the pole vault after clearing a personal best of 11’3″. Baxter also earned a third‑place finish at last year’s state meet and enters the season as the clear athlete to beat.

Layton’s Sophia Robinson, last year’s region runner‑up, will once again be Baxter’s primary challenger. Robinson owns a personal best of 10’6″ and placed fifth at the state meet, giving the Lancers a strong presence in the event and setting up another compelling duel between the two seniors.

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

photos courtesy of James Tate