Fifty-seven athletes in the spotlight at the 57th Arcadia Invitational this weekend

The 57th Arcadia Invitational, sponsored by Nike, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Arcadia High in California, with student-athletes from more than 640 schools and nearly 40 states and countries scheduled to compete.

Winners of five invitational boys individual events, along with seven champions in invitational boys relays are scheduled to return, in addition to four individual gold medalists from last year’s girls individual events, as well as six girls invitational relays that triumphed last season are expected to compete.

The “Burning Batons” session begins at 5 p.m. PDT Friday, with the invitational schedule Saturday starting with field events at 3 p.m. PDT, followed by running events at 5 p.m.

The heptathlon and decathlon schedules as part of the Arcadia Multis begin at 1 p.m. PDT Friday.

Here are 57 elite athletes to keep an eye on at one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious high school track and field meets, which has showcased 36 national records and featured more than 200 Olympians competing during the history of the event:

Brandon Arrington, Jr., Mount Miguel (Calif.), Junior: Arrington won the boys invitational 200 meters last year in a wind-legal 20.76 seconds, but only placed fourth in the invitational 100-meter dash in a wind-aided 10.44. Arrington, the reigning state champion in both sprints, has his sights on the meet records of 10.17 and 20.48, set in 2016 by Noah Lyles of T.C. Williams from Virginia.

Rylee Blade, Corona Santiago (Calif.,), Senior: Although the Florida State-bound Blade isn’t scheduled to compete in any individual events, she could still have a significant impact for the Sharks, who are entered in the girls 4x800, 4x1600 and distance medley relays. Corona Santiago won the Nike Indoor Nationals title in the DMR in New York.

Anisa Bowen-Fontenot, San Diego High (Calif.), Senior: The USC commit is not only looking to continue her momentum following a wind-aided 12.99 seconds March 29 in the 100-meter hurdles at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, but also elevate following disappointing performances last year at Arcadia. Bowen-Fontenot, one of only nine female athletes in U.S. prep history to eclipse the 13-second barrier under all conditions, finished seventh in the girls invitational 300 hurdles and eighth in the invitational 100 hurdles last season. Jasir Fontenot, her freshman brother, is scheduled to race in the boys invitational 110-meter hurdles.

Olivia Cieslak, Haverford Township (Pa.), Senior: The Stanford signee was seventh in the girls invitational mile last year in 4:44.57, but is the top returning competitor in Saturday’s field, seeking another significant drop following improvements at the 800-meter distance during the indoor season, twice producing sub-2:05 efforts.

Emily Cohen, Cherry Creek (Colo.), Junior: Cohen gained valuable experience in last year’s invitational 3,200-meter race, finishing 24th in a personal-best 10:32.97, and has an opportunity to challenge for a top-10 finish Saturday in the invitational 2-mile event in her first appearance in California since earning All-America honors in December at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in San Diego.

Corbin Coombs, Organ Mountain (N.M.), Senior: Although the Wake Forest-bound Coombs is the reigning champion in the boys invitational mile following a 4:07.15 effort last year, he has yet to make a final decision on competing Saturday in the boys invitational 3,200 or pursuing back-to-back mile victories. Charlie Vause, a fellow New Mexico standout from Rio Rancho High who has signed with Brigham Young and is the reigning Nike Cross Nationals champion, is entered in the 3,200.

Taylor Cox, Union Catholic (N.J.), Senior: A member of the Vikings’ victorious invitational 4x200-meter relay quartet last year, Cox is expected to compete on the Union Catholic girls 4x100 lineup and possibly make another relay appearance Friday as well. The Georgia commit is also looking to challenge for the invitational 100-meter hurdles victory after finishing fourth last year in a wind-legal 13.95 seconds.

Kinga Czajkowska, Palo Alto (Calif.), Senior: Following an impressive showing at the 50th Stanford Invitational, the Cornell-bound Czajkowska will place emphasis on the distance medley relay Saturday after the Vikings ran 11:46.16 to set the meet record in their own backyard. Czajkowska, who also won the 1,600 at Stanford in 4:46.34, is entered in the seeded mile and open 800 as well.

Chiara Dailey, La Jolla (Calif.), Junior: Having already produced a 9:58.02 effort March 27 in the 3,200 meters, Dailey is scheduled to compete in the invitational mile, looking to improve on a 4:48.47 performance at last year’s Mt. SAC Relays. Dailey is also entered for the Vikings in the seeded 4x800 and invitational 1,600 sprint medley relay events Friday. 

Paige Echsner, Del Norte (Calif.), Senior: It could be an adventurous Saturday evening schedule for the UCLA signee, as Echsner is scheduled to compete in the girls invitational pole vault, in addition to contributing to the distance medley relay for the Nighthawks. Echsner is one of the most versatile athletes in the country, clearing 13-6 on Wednesday against San Marcos. She also entered in the open 4x400 to conclude the day session Saturday.

Kaylin Edwards, Long Beach Wilson (Calif.), Senior: The Arkansas signee has the potential to be part of three winning relays for the Bruins, as she is scheduled to compete Friday in the invitational 4x200 and the 4x100 shuttle hurdles relays, in addition to Saturday in the invitational 4x400. Long Beach Wilson won the shuttle hurdles relay last season, with Edwards also scheduled to compete Saturday in the invitational 300 hurdles after winning the event in 42.48 seconds April 5 at the Oregon Relays.

Keeghan Edwards, Mountain Vista (Colo.), Senior: The Golden Eagles aren’t pursuing a 4x1,600 relay at Arcadia after winning the 4xMile title at New Balance Nationals Indoor, but the Florida-bound Edwards has strong potential to improve in the girls invitational 2-mile race following a 20th-place effort last season in the invitational 3,200 in a personal-best 10:22.54.

Kaden Evans, American Fork (Utah), Senior: Following an all-senior lineup winning the 4x1,600 relay title last season for the Cavemen, Evans will look to help another American Fork quartet to victory at Arcadia. Evans was part of the American Fork lineup that took third in the 4xMile relay at New Balance Nationals Indoor, just behind Christian Brothers from New Jersey, which is also scheduled to compete Friday at Arcadia. Evans is also entered Saturday in the invitational 3,200, looking to improve on his 8:44.77 from his victory last year at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama.

Jalen Ford, Bakersfield (Calif.), Junior: Although Ford isn’t going to race six times, he is entered in four relays, in addition to the invitational 100-meter dash and 200 meters Saturday, which is an opportunity to square off against reigning California state champion Brandon Arrington, Jr. of Mount Miguel. Ford won the 100 and 200, in addition to contributing to victories April 5 in the 4x100 and 4x400 for the Renegades at the West Coast Relays at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Clovis Buchanan High.

Iman Foster, Jesuit (Ore.), Junior: Foster is making her debut at Arcadia following a victory in the girls triple jump and runner-up effort in the long jump April 5 at Oregon Relays. Foster is scheduled to compete in both invitational events Saturday, looking to surpass 19 feet and 40 feet for the first time.

Imani Galera-Young, Chandler (Ariz.), Junior: The girls track athlete of the meet March 22 at the 85th Chandler Rotary Invitational following her 13.83 and 41.50 sweep of the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles, Galera-Young is also looking to help Chandler challenge the Arizona girls 4x100 relay record of 45.65 by Peoria in 2004. Chandler could also be a factor Saturday in the invitational 4x400 relay.

Juan Gonzalez, Fremont (Neb.), Senior: The Oregon commit is looking to make a significant impact in his Arcadia debut, and has the potential to produce an impressive performance in the invitational 3,200 after running 8:47.01 to take third at the RunningLane Championships last year in Alabama, trailing only Kaden Evans of American Fork in Utah and Ty Steorts from Hurricane High in West Virginia, both of whom are also scheduled to be part of Saturday night’s field at Arcadia.

Ella Hagen, Summit (Colo.), Senior: Hagen has gone from 10:13.18 in the invitational 3,200 as a sophomore to 10:06.19 as a junior at Arcadia, and will now set her sights on a sub-10 effort in the full 2-mile race Saturday in a field that is likely to showcase a national prep record. The Colorado commit could become the fifth Colorado prep athlete to eclipse the 10-minute barrier in the 3,200 at Arcadia, but the first to achieve the feat in a full 2-mile race.

Benjamin Harris Servite (Calif.), Sophomore: Following victories last year representing Long Beach Poly in both the 100-meter dash and 800 sprint medley relay, Harris has meshed well in a short span of time in the Servite lineup. Harris won the Division 1 crown in a wind-aided 10.35 at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, in addition to contributing to victory in the 4x200 in 1:24.34. In addition to running the invitational 100 and 200, Harris is also expected to compete in the invitational 4x100 and 4x200 for the Friars, who could challenge the meet and California state 4x200 record of 1:24.15 set in 2022 by St. John Bosco.

Jane Hedengren, Timpview (Utah), Senior: There is a specific reason the usual girls invitational 3,200-meter race is being extended to a full 2-mile competition and it is because of the Brigham Young-bound Hedengren, who ran 9:37.50 in the indoor 3,200 in February at Simplot Games in Idaho. Allie Zealand of Pacers Homeschool in Virginia ran 9:41.76 for the full 2-mile distance to set the national prep outdoor record last year at the Brooks PR Invitational in Washington. Mary Cain of Bronxville in New York boasts the absolute high school all-time 2-mile mark of 9:38.68 with her indoor effort at the 2013 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston. Hedengren looks to add an Arcadia victory to a senior year that has already been highlighted by a Nike Cross Nationals crown, as well as Nike Indoor Nationals titles in both the mile and 5,000 meters.

Makenna Herbst, Carlsbad (Calif.), Senior: There will be an opportunity for the Arkansas commit to run with twin sister Morgan Herbst on the invitational 4x400 and possibly the seeded 4x100, but when it comes to individual events, Makenna is a leading contender for the invitational 800 crown Saturday. Makenna secured sixth last year in 2:12.09, but she clocked 2:04.72 on March 22 at the Hi-Racer Meet of Champions Distance Classic at Arroyo High, which followed a 2:03.83 performance March 15 at New Balance Nationals Indoor. Morgan Herbst, also an Arkansas signee, will attempt to defend her invitational 300 hurdles title from last year.

Chloe Huyler, Lakeridge (Ore.), Senior: The Notre Dame commit won the girls mile and anchored the victorious distance medley relay for Lakeridge at the Oregon Relays, but Huyler will shift her focus to the invitational 2-mile race at Arcadia. Chloe secured sixth in the invitational mile at last year’s event in 4:44.22, but she and twin sister Hannah Huyler are both focusing on the 2-mile race in their final appearances at Arcadia.

Aja Johnson, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (Calif.), Senior: The reigning invitational girls discus throw winner at Arcadia, the Louisville-bound Johnson will not only attempt to repeat, but also improve on her fourth-place finish in the invitational shot put as well. Johnson won the California state championship in the discus last year, in addition to securing second in the shot put. She will be challenged in both events with the emergence of Su’Riah Williams from Redlands and Jaslene Massey from Aliso Niguel.

Tayvon Kitchen, Crater (Ore.), Senior: Kitchen, a Brigham Young commit, already enjoyed one meaningful experience competing in Southern California, as he and Washington-bound teammate Josiah Tostenson both eclipsed the Oregon all-time prep mark in the 1,500 meters March 29 at The Ten, presented by Sound Running, at JSerra High in San Juan Capistrano. The New Balance Nationals Indoor winner in the 5,000 meters and 4xMile Relay will shift his focus to competing Saturday in the invitational 3,200.

Tommy Latham, Marist (Ga.), Senior: The first prep sub-4 miler from Georgia also won the Nike Indoor Nationals title in the 2-mile race in 8:44.35, demonstrating his fitness in preparation for the invitational 3,200 showcase Saturday night at Arcadia. Latham, a Washington signee, ran 8:46.88 to place 20th in the invitational 3,200 last year, but has the potential to join another elite list of 11 male athletes in meet history to produce a sub-8:40 effort. 

McKay Madsen, Clovis North (Calif.), Senior: The reigning California state champion in both the shot put and discus throw, Madsen is still seeking his first invitational victory at Arcadia following a pair of second-place performances last year behind Benjamin Shue of Bergen Catholic from New Jersey, who is also scheduled to return to compete Saturday. Madsen hasn’t lost during the outdoor season, including lifetime-best efforts of 65-8 and 211-6, the latter elevating him to the No. 5 prep competitor in state history.

Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit Prep (Fla.), Sophomore: Following his national sophomore class record of 14:14.38 in the 5,000 meters at Nike Indoor Nationals, Mantecon is prepared to challenge the all-time sophomore mark of 8:43.71 achieved in 2021 by Lex Young of Newbury Park High in California. Mantecon produced the freshman class all-time national performance last year at Arcadia, finishing 28th in 8:50.02.

Jaslene Massey, Aliso Niguel (Calif.), Junior: Massey, also an elite volleyball player, enjoyed a significant breakthrough Feb. 8 at Arcadia High by winning the California Winter Outdoor Championships in the shot put with a 47-0.25 (14.33m) performance. Since then, Massey has remained unbeaten in the shot put during the spring outdoor season, highlighted by a lifetime-best 50-7 (15.42m) on March 29 at the Orange County Championships. There hasn’t been a 50-foot effort at Arcadia since 2016 and only nine female competitors have surpassed the mark in meet history, with Massey looking to elevate from an 11th-place finish last year.

Duaine Mayrant, Culver City (Calif.), Senior: The Centaurs relied on both Duaine and twin brother Dontay Mayrant to secure the Division 2 boys 4x400 victory in 3:10.94 on March 29 at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, with Culver City looking to potentially challenge the 1996 meet record of 3:08.92 by Pasadena Muir after taking third place last year. Duaine Mayrant is also scheduled to compete Saturday in the invitational 400, seeking his first sub-47 performance following a 47.09 effort last season at the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 finals and again at the Masters meet. 

Aiden Monistere, Parkview Baptist (La.), Senior: The winner of the 3,200 meters at the Virginia Showcase and 2-mile runner-up at New Balance Nationals Indoor, Monistere has the potential to enjoy a memorable debut at Arcadia. Monistere was edged in the 2-mile final by an 8:46.09 to 8:46.78 margin against Josiah Tostenson from Crater High in Oregon, who is the top returning competitor Saturday in this year’s invitational 3,200 field.

Alden Morales, JSerra (Calif.), Junior: The Lions are motivated to secure victory in the invitational 4x800 relay after being edged last year by San Clemente by a 7:50.22 to 7:50.28 margin, with Morales inspired to help JSerra secure the victory Friday. Morales finished 11th in the invitational mile last year at Arcadia, but will pursue the win Saturday in the invitational 800, in addition to trying to improve on his personal-best 1:49.91 from last season.

Evan Noonan, Dana Hills (Calif.), Senior: Following a 4:04.88 performance to repeat as winner of the 1,600 meters April 5 at the 50th Stanford Invitational, the reigning California state 3,200 champion in 8:43.12 looks to produce another significant effort at Arcadia, motivated to improve on his 22nd-place showing at last year’s meet. Noonan, a Stanford commit, finished fourth in the full 2-mile race in 8:46.92 at Nike Indoor Nationals in New York.

Wyland Obando, Long Beach Wilson (Calif.), Junior: Obando hopes to continue the momentum following strong efforts at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and Oregon Relays the past two weekends, with Long Beach Wilson expecting to have a significant presence in several relays. Obando won the 800 in 1:52.34 at the Oregon Relays, but the Bruins could challenge for victories in the 4x400, 4x800 and 1,600 sprint medley relays. Long Beach Wilson, the reigning 1,600 sprint medley relay champion, ran the No. 3 time in California prep history in the event in Texas by clocking 3:22.69, well ahead of the Arcadia meet record of 3:26.36 set in 2016 by Los Alamitos.

Anne Elise Packard, JSerra (Calif.), Senior: The Lions had the Brigham Young commit run the 400 meters and contribute to the distance medley relay at Oregon Relays. Packard is scheduled to compete Friday in the 4x800 relay for JSerra, which is seeking its first victory in the event at Arcadia since 2022 following runner-up performances the past two years. Packard is also entered Saturday in the invitational 800, attempting to improve on her personal-best 2:07.89 effort from March at The Ten, presented by Sound Running, on her home track.

Owen Powell, Mercer Island (Wash.), Senior: If his 3:56.66 national high school indoor mile record Feb. 21 at the Boston University Terrier DMR Challenge wasn’t a strong enough indication of his ability to close races, then Powell rallied Mercer Island with a 3:58 anchor on the distance medley relay April 5 to win the Oregon Relays crown in 10:04.01. Powell finished 10th last year at Arcadia in 8:41.03, looking to join the elite group of 11 male athletes who have eclipsed the 8:40 barrier in meet history.

Eleanor Raker, Galena (Nev.), Senior: The New Mexico commit ran 10:47.64 to finish 30th in the invitational 3,200 race at Arcadia, but Raker has improved significantly since then, highlighted by a lifetime-best 10:22.11 to win the April 4 race at the 50th Stanford Invitational. Raker is scheduled to compete in the full 2-mile race Saturday night, in addition to also being entered in the seeded mile. Amaya Aramini, a Bishop Manogue standout, set the Nevada all-time prep mark in the 2-mile last year with her 10:17.08 effort at the Oregon Relays.

Lisa Raye, West Warwick (R.I.), Junior: The reigning New Balance Nationals Outdoor champion in the 100-meter dash and 200 meters has decided to open her spring season with a debut at Arcadia. Raye, who has already committed to Georgia, also won the New Balance Nationals Indoor crown in the 60-meter dash. Raye boasts all-conditions best performances with wind-aided marks 11.21 and 22.73. Mia Brahe-Pedersen of Lake Oswego High in Oregon set the meet record in the 100 in 2023 by clocking 11.17, with Marion Jones still holding the 200 all-time mark of 22.87 from her 1991 season at Rio Mesa.

Jasmine Robinson, North Cobb (Ga.), Junior: The national high school record of 38.90 seconds was set in 2017 at Arcadia by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of Union Catholic High in New Jersey. Robinson is the No. 2 all-time prep competitor with her 39.89 performance at last year’s Class 7A state final. Robinson is also looking forward to a rematch in the invitational 100-meter hurdles after running a wind-aided 13.29 on March 29 at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays to finish second behind Anisa Bowen-Fontenot of San Diego High in a wind-aided 12.99. Robinson prevailed in the 300 hurdles at Texas Relays in 40.12.

Rayah Rodriguez, Oaks Christian (Calif.), Junior: The last California girls program to win the 4x100 relay at both the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and Arcadia in the same year was JW North in 2001. The Lions have the potential to join JW North, Long Beach Poly and Hawthorne on the elite list, with Rodriguez entered in the 4x100, 4x200, 800 sprint medley and invitational 400 for Oaks Christian. Rodriguez contributed to victory last year in the 800 sprint medley relay at Arcadia in 1:45.66, along with securing seventh in the invitational in 56.50.

Sophia Rodriguez, Mercer Island (Wash.), Sophomore: Rodriguez already has experience competing in a full 2-mile race following her victory April 4 in 10:17.34 at the Oregon Relays. She also thrived competing under the lights in her Arcadia debut last year, producing a personal-best 10:10.90 to take 11th in the invitational 3,200. Victoria Rodriguez, a Wake Forest-bound senior and Sophia’s older sister, is also entered in the 2-mile race Saturday as well.

Simon Rosselli, Mead (Wash.), Junior: An already outstanding boys invitational discus throw field only became more impressive when Rosselli produced the top prep performance in Washington history with his 211-7 (64.50m) performance April 5 at Oregon Relays. Rosselli and McKay Madsen of Clovis North High in California are two of the top three competitors in the country this season and have the potential to become the first male athletes since 2017 to surpass the 210-foot mark Saturday at Arcadia.

Sam Ruthe, New Zealand Secondary, Sophomore: There could be quite a Sweet Sixteen birthday celebration Saturday night for Ruthe, who is scheduled to compete in the invitational 3,200 meters. Ruthe became the youngest athlete in the world to achieve a sub-4 mile, clocking 3:58.35 on March 19 in Auckland. Ruthe also achieved the fastest 3,000 time by a 15-year-old competitor with his 7:56.18 performance Feb. 1 in Hastings. Ruthe will make his 3,200 debut Saturday at Arcadia, with the potential to challenge the 2023 meet record of 8:34.10 by Simeon Birnbaum of Rapid City Stevens from South Dakota.

Paige Sheppard, Union Catholic (N.J.), Sophomore: Sheppard anchored Union Catholic to a meet-record 8:53.48 in the 4x800 relay in her Arcadia debut, but is scheduled to compete for the Vikings in the 1,600 sprint medley relay Friday, in addition to the invitational mile Saturday. Sheppard edged Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery by a 4:44.49 to 4:44.54 margin in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix mile Feb. 2 in Boston. Harvard-Westlake has held the 1,600 sprint medley relay meet record of 3:56.34 since 2012.

Benjamin Shue, Bergen Catholic (N.J.), Senior: The Texas signee is seeking a third consecutive invitational shot put title, in addition to back-to-back victories in the discus throw at Arcadia, but even after more preparation than in past seasons ahead of traveling to California, it will be a significant challenge for Shue to sweep both events again. Shue won New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the discus last year and placed second in the shot put. McKay Madsen of Clovis North High in California is the top challenger Saturday in the shot put, with Simon Rosselli from Mead High in Washington and Madsen both capable of securing victory, along with Shue, in the discus.

Noah Smith Long Beach Poly (Calif.), Junior: Smith contributed to victory for the Jackrabbits in the seeded 4x400, but he figures to have a much more profound impact this year at Arcadia. Smith is entered in the invitational 400, looking to build off his personal-best 46.55 from March 22 at the 85th Chandler Rotary Invitational in Arizona. Only three athletes in meet history have produced sub-46 performances, with Michael Norman of Vista Murrieta still boasting the Arcadia record of 45.51 from 2016. Smith is also scheduled to compete Friday in the 4x200 and the 1,600 sprint medley, in addition to being part of the Jackrabbits’ invitational 4x400 lineup Saturday.

Joseph Socarras, Belen Jesuit Prep (Fla.), Senior: The Penn commit captured a pair of titles at Nike Indoor Nationals, winning the mile and contributing to the 4xMile relay, but his most impressive performance might have come prior to the trip to New York by clocking 1:48.92 in the 800 in a Feb. 25 home meet. Only one athlete in meet history has run faster than Socarras’ lifetime-best effort and that is national high school record holder Michael Granville of Bell Gardens in California, who clocked 1:47.96 at Arcadia in 1995. Only 12 male athletes in meet history have achieved sub-1:50 performances.

Kyndall Spain, Cardinal Ritter College Prep (Mo.), Senior: Spain secured second last year in the invitational 100-meter hurdles in a wind-legal 13.67 seconds and finished fourth in the invitational 300 hurdles in 42.43 at Arcadia. Spain, a South Carolina commit, returns to participate in deep fields in both events once again, in addition to contributing to 4x100 and 4x400 relays for Cardinal Ritter. Spain ran a lifetime-best 13.46 in the 100 hurdles last year at the Brooks PR Invitational in Washington, with her 300 hurdles race last season at Arcadia still the fastest time of her prep career.

Claire Stegall, Nolensville (Tenn.), Senior: Stegall ran a lifetime-best 4:39.89 to secure second in the mile final at New Balance Nationals Indoor, an indication of what her potential could be during a healthy outdoor season. Stegall, a Florida signee, still boasts a 3,200 personal-best effort of 10:21.21 from 2022, but she is ready to take on the challenge of the invitational 2-mile field in her Arcadia debut. 

DeVonte Taylor II, Bellaire Episcopal (Texas), Senior: One of the most dynamic athletes at the meet, Taylor is looking to follow the success of former Bellaire Episcopal standout and reigning Arcadia triple jump champion Karson Gordon. Taylor is scheduled to compete in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles, following personal-best efforts of 13.54 and 36.25 on March 8 at the Texas A&M Bluebonnet meet. Taylor is also a leading contender to secure the long jump crown Saturday, boasting a 23-8 (7.21m) performance from Feb. 14 at the Episcopal Dick Phillips Relays.

Gabriella Taylor, Highland (Ariz.), Senior: Taylor achieved a big breakthrough in the 400 meters with her lifetime-best 54.68 performance March 22 to win the 85th Chandler Rotary Invitational, and is now looking to reach another elite level Saturday in an invitational field that includes Sophia Castaneda of Newberg High in Oregon, plus California competitors Madison Mosby of St. Mary’s Academy, Hannah Rutherford from Mountain View and Rayah Rodriguez of Oaks Christian. Mosby is the top returnee in the field, taking third last season in 53.74.

Hanne Thomsen, Santa Rosa Montgomery (Calif.), Senior: Thomsen, a Stanford commit, produced her second career sub-10 performance in the 3,200 meters when she secured second in the California state final in 9:59.81 last year. But her lifetime-best effort remains a 9:55.31 mark from when she achieved runner-up in the 3,200 race at Arcadia in 2023 behind Irene Riggs of Morgantown High in West Virginia, who set the meet record of 9:52.66. Thomsen has plenty of experience at the 2-mile distance as well, taking second twice at New Balance Nationals Indoor, including a personal-best 10:07.44 in March.

Josiah Tostenson, Crater (Ore.), Senior: Tostenson, who secured seventh in the invitational 3,200 last year in 8:39.89, is the top returning competitor scheduled to compete Saturday night at Arcadia. The Washington signee ran 3:40.06 in the 1,500 on March 29 at The Ten, presented by Sound Running, at JSerra High in San Juan Capistrano to achieve the fastest outdoor performance in Oregon prep history. Tostenson also captured New Balance Nationals Indoor titles in the 2-mile, clocking 8:46.09, and the 4xMile relay. Tostenson, who anchored Crater to victory in the 4x800 relay April 5 in 7:49.63 at Oregon Relays, is looking to follow former American Fork of Utah standout Daniel Simmons with back-to-back sub-8:40 efforts at Arcadia.

Dash Wasson, Queen Creek (Ariz.), Junior: There is plenty of motivation for Wasson after tying for ninth place last year at Arcadia with a 15-3 clearance (4.65m), but perhaps an even greater opportunity to contend for the top spot in the invitational field after Victor Olesen of St. Christopher’s in Virginia decided not to compete. Wasson has cleared 16-10.75 (5.15m) indoors, as well as producing a 16-7 (5.05m) effort outdoors. Michael Cullen of Redlands High is the top returnee from last season, securing sixth at 15-9 (4.80m).

Jillene Wetteland, Long Beach Poly (Calif.), Senior: The Harvard commit produced a 5-10 (1.78m) clearance in the high jump Feb. 8 at Arcadia High to win the gold medal at the California Winter Outdoor Championships. Wetteland is the top returning competitor from last year’s invitational field at Arcadia, placing fourth at 5-6 (1.68m), a height also achieved by Lelani Laruelle from Monta Vista. Wetteland also tied for third at Arcadia as a sophomore with a 5-6 clearance. Dulcinea Vail of Acalanes is also a strong challenger after matching Laruelle with a 5-7.25 (1.71m) performance April 5 at the 50th Stanford Invitational.

Trace White, ALA Anthem (Ariz.), Senior: White, a Florida State signee, is hoping his Arcadia debut also results in back-to-back 50-foot triple jump performances at the meet after Karson Gordon of Bellaire Episcopal High in Texas triumphed last season with a mark of 50-8 (15.44m). The meet hasn’t showcased 50-foot efforts in consecutive years since 2008-09. White secured victory March 22 at the 85th Chandler Rotary Invitational with a lifetime-best 49-7 (15.11m).

Su’Riah Williams, Redlands (Calif.), Senior: Williams went from a strong contender in the girls invitational discus throw to the national leader March 18 following a lifetime-best 173-3 (52.82m) performance, which also elevated her among the top 20 competitors in California prep history. Williams also added a personal-best 43-4 (13.21m) effort in the shot put in the same meet against Redlands East Valley. Williams placed 11th last year at Arcadia in the discus with a throw of 134-11 (41.12m).

Keelan Wright, Temecula Chaparral (Calif.), Senior: It will be a showdown of one Georgia signee against another Bulldogs’ commit when Wright attempts to repeat in both the invitational 100-meter dash and 200 meters Saturday, squaring off against Lisa Raye from West Warwick in Rhode Island. Wright won the 100 last year in a wind-legal 11.54 and prevailed in the 200 in a wind-legal 23.97. She boasts all-conditions best performances in her prep career of a wind-aided 11.38 in the 100 and a wind-aided 23.41 in the 200, the latter achieved April 5 at the Trabuco Hills Invitational.