Hayden Hartigan is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Edge for AZPreps365.com

Coming off an impressive showing at the Chandler Rotary, Desert Edge returned to the East Valley on Wednesday and Thursday with another strong set of performances, highlighted by Antonio “Tarzan” Para’s 10.84-second personal record in the 100-meter dash and multiple relay breakthroughs.

Para finished second in the Just Us Classic at Chandler High School with his 10.84, which leads Division II and ranks sixth in program history.

“When you get hurt and you’re out, everybody doubts you or they may not think you’re that fast,” Para said about the injuries he has battled throughout this career. “It’s motivating for me. I needed that personally because I haven’t PR’d in about a year, so it feels really good, for sure.”

Head coach Sharod Selph said he shared a message to Para leading up to the race.

“Just trust the process,” Selph said. “When April comes, things are going to come together. When it really counts in May, things are going to come together even more.”

At the Nightmare at The Nest on Thursday, hosted by Highland High School, the Desert Edge boys won the 4x400-meter relay in 3 minutes, 20.91 seconds — the second-fastest time in program history. The relay featured Anthony Gonzalez, Asad Ali, Andrique Holley and anchor Vijay Carrier, who competed despite illness. The group now ranks second in Division II. 

“My teammates worked too hard for this,” Carrier said, reflecting on his mindset before receiving the baton. “I do everything I can. Every negative thought, every bad feeling in my body goes away when I get that stick because I know I’m not just doing it for me. I’m doing it for my team, I’m doing it for us.”

Ali added two more wins in the 110-meter hurdles across both meets, continuing to establish himself as the top hurdler in Division II and among top five in Arizona. After missing the 2025 season due to AIA transfer rules, he remains focused on a state championship.

On the girls’ side, freshman sprinter Kennedy Brown broke her own program record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.63 seconds, finishing third.

“Kennedy is awesome,” Selph said. “She is going to continue to be a superstar for us.”

Brown also led off the 4x100-meter relay that recorded the second-fastest time in school history, finishing third alongside Syncere Trayanum, Dejollyne Demaih, and senior Grace Bryant, who has been part of the track team through its transformation. 

“In my first year coaching at Desert Edge, Grace was a freshman, so I remember her doing really well,” Selph said. “She’s all in.”

Bryant later helped the 4x400-meter relay to a third place finish with a time of 4 minutes, 11.36 seconds — the second-fastest time in program history. She teamed with Saryah Carter, Harlem Paschel, and Dejollyne Demaih, improving their season best by nearly four seconds. 

Desert Edge will host the Agua Fria Union High School District Track & Field Championships on April 15-16 as it continues its push toward the state meet.