Trojans jumpers help team leap to regional title

The Trojans boys jumpers’ surprise performance won the regional title for the boys. The team took first place at the Class 3A Southern Regional Meet on Saturday with 119 points, beating Mojave by 20 points and is heading to state on May 19-20.

According to Trojans coach Mike Colucci, it is the first regional title since 2005, a team Colucci was on.

“To say I am proud of this team would be a huge understatement,” Trojans coach McKenzie Dean said. “Leaving no doubt Friday and Saturday paid off for our team across the board in events, jumps in particular, when we needed points the most. It was a pretty special moment to lock up the regional title, especially as a coach.”

Jumpers seal the deal

But if not for a great performance by the high jumpers and one long jumper, the team might not be celebrating the win.

“We were not expecting the jumpers to do so well,” Colucci said. “They scored 22 points and we won the title by just 20 points.”

The Trojans will send three to state in the high jump. Jacob Sawin finished second (5-10, a personal record), Ethan Whittle finished third, (5-10 a personal record), and Chance Farnsworth (5-08) finished fifth.

Sawin almost had six feet, according to Dale Giessler, his stepfather. “Jacob had jumped six foot and then walked off the pit area and then the bar fell,” Giessler said. “Usually, if the jumper leaves the pit area while the bar is still up, the jump stands as a good jump but a Moapa coach protested and won.”

Nik Clark will go to state in the long jump and finished fifth (20-01.50, a personal record) to help with the 22 points.

Personal bests help Trojans

At the regional, the boys had eight personal bests and one season record.

Mojave was second (99) and Sunrise Mountain was third (85.5).

The Trojans will send nine boys to the state meet this year at Foothill High School in Henderson on May 19-20, which includes the four jumpers.

To qualify for state the boys had to finish in the top five in an event or top three for a relay event. The following athletes will be going to state:

Bryce Odegard took second place in four events, the 800 (2 minutes, 3.2 seconds), 1,600 (4:38.06 season record), 3,200 (10:43.59) and the 800 relay (8:23.84).

Dylan Montgomery took second in the 110 hurdles (15.37 seconds, personal record), third in the 300 hurdles (42.67) and fourth in the 400 (51.37, personal record).

Layron Sonerholm took fifth in the 1,600 (4:44.24 PR), fourth in the 3,200 (11:02.75) and second in the 800 relay (8:23.84).

Morgan White took fourth in the shot put (42 feet, 10.5 inches, a personal record).

Jeremy Albertson took first in the discus (161-03, personal record).

Michael Sonerholm will also be going to state on the 800 relay team.

Odegard is ready for state

Bryce Odegard has had a great track season and says his best chance at winning a state title will be in the 1,600.

“It is one of my goals to win a track state title,” he said. “I was relaxed when I ran the 1,600 and I came up with my best time of the season. I looked at the northern times and I feel they will be tough in the 1,600 but tougher in the 3,200.”

This year he will be running with his running partner, Layron Sonerholm, who also made state.

“I think it makes a difference to run a long race like the 1,600 and the 3,200 and see a familiar face,” Odegard said. “There is something different about the race when you are running with a teammate, it just helps.”

Dean said it was a season of memories.

“I have grown a strong bond with this group,” the coach said. “It’s been 12 years since Pahrump has won on the boys side. I feel like we have made a lot of unexpected noise in the Nevada track community this season.”

Girls track finished in 10th place at the regionals and will send one to state, Elaina Dattillio.

Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com