The Top 8 Athletes To Watch At The AIA State Championships

* On the latest episode of On The Line, the MileSplit crew analyzed the top matchups for the Arizona State Championships

No divisions. No classifications.

Just the top marks and athletes in the state of Arizona. The AIA State Track and Field Championships get going on Friday and into Saturday in Mesa, Arizona, this year, the first for the all-class state championships.

Over the two-day period at Mesa Community College, athletes will be crowned as champions. The meet will feature Arizona's current state leaders and record-holders. 

Who are the top eight athletes to keep your eyes peeled for in Arizona?

Check out the athletes below that MileSplit believes could shake up the competition this weekend. 

Related Links:

AIA Track and Field State Championships Meet Page

Performance List: AIA Girls Open State T&F Championships

Performance Lists: AIA Boys Open State T&F Championships

Feature: Hayden Gorovitz, America's Top Javelin Thrower

Video Interview: Prescott's Jack Mason

Jayden Davis, Mountain Pointe

Events: 200m and 400m

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Davis is coming off strong performances at the AIA Division II Championships in the 200m and 400m. While he was earning more titles to his resume, he moved into the top 50 in the nation in both events. 

In the prelims of the division championships, he recorded a lifetime best of 21.29 before he clocked 21.51 for the victory in the final. His new personal best became the 12th-fastest time in state history. 

One of the questions that Davis could answer this weekend: Can he become the fourth boy in state history to dip under 21 seconds in the 200m?

Tyler Mathews, Red Mountain

Events: 800m and 1,600m

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Mathews was been able to secure the fastest 800m time in the state in April with his performance at the Arcadia Invitational,  a1:49.32 personal best. So far he's the only boy in the state to break through the 1:50 barrier. 

But moreover, all of his 800m performances this spring have been under 2:00 flat. 

Since then, he's clocked a 1:51.53 and a 4:13.45 in the 1,600m to grab titles at the AIA Division I Championships.

He's been undefeated in the longer distances this year and showed progression as the season unfolded. Opening up the 2023 season, he ran 4:27 in March and now he's shaved over 14 seconds to become the state leader.

Mathews is in the hunt for the distance double.

Landen LeBlond, Millennium

Events: 1,600m and 3,200m

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LeBlond has dominated the state from the 800m all the way up to the 3,200m. This week, she will just focus on earning the 1,600m and 3,200m crowns.

In both events, no one has been able to take down LeBlond.

This spring alone, she's clocked three performances faster than 5:00 in the 1,600m. Her fastest came at the Hohokam Invitational, where she ran the fastest time in the state with a lifetime best of 4:50.66.

A week prior, she put her best race together with a 10:22.01 in the 3,200m. 

LeBlond is the heavy favorite at both distances and can potentially lower her career best. 

* Saira Prince won the 100mH title at the AIA Division II Championships

Saira Prince, Williams Field

Events: 100mH and 300mH

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The state leader in both the 100mH and 300mH will line up against Arizona's best.

Prince has gathered plenty of momentum this season as she's clocked a wind-legal time of 13.58 (+0.6) in the 100mH at the Arcadia Invitational -- in state record-breaking fashion.

The Arizona State signee has been able to continue the regular season undefeated in the short hurdles and was able to win her third-straight AIA Division II Championship title. 

In the 300mH, she enters the meet with the fastest time of 41.24, which has been her only performance under 42 seconds.

On the national level, she's ranked U.S. No. 8 in the 100mH and U.S. No. 6 in the 300mH, respectively. 

Brennen McHenry, Brophy College Preparatory

Events: Long and High Jump

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Look no further than McHenry as an individual who can be a double threat in the vertical and horizontal jumps. 

The AIA Division I champion in the long jump has already leapt to a mark of 24-4.5 and cleared 7-0 in the high jump. Few boys have equaled the same. 

He's the only boy this season to clear over 7-0 and jump over 24-0 in the state.

He currently sits on Arizona's all-time list as No. 6 in the long jump and No. 3 in the high jump.

Before he heads off to Texas in the fall, it wouldn't come as a surprise if McHenry were to rewrite the record book another time this season. 

* Zach Bingham clears 17-4 at the East Valley Qualifier

Zach Bingham, Highland

Events: Pole Vault

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It's been a historic season for Bingham in the pole vault.

The BYU commit consistently has been knocking on the door of 17-0 or higher.

He cleared 17-3 at the Becky Mathew Underclassman Showcase / Last Chance Invitational. Two days later, he added himself to the national rankings when he cleared 17-4 at the East Valley Qualifier meet.

That clearance puts him as the leader in the state, No. 4 in Arizona history and U.S. No. 3 overall.  

Hayden Gorovitz, Desert Vista

Events: Javelin

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Another nationally-ranked athlete will contest for a title in the javelin.

Sitting at U.S. No. 2 is Gorovitz, who has thrown 209-6 this season.

This mark is the best throw in the state this year by nearly 18 feet. 

He has an opportunity this weekend to be the best in state history.

Carlan Naisant threw 215-3 at the USATF Arizona Junior Olympic Championships back in 2018, and that performance has stood as Arizona's all-time best.

But with Gorovitz just being a few feet away, keep your eyes out for the junior in the throws.