SNOWFLAKE — Holding top state marks in the high jump (6-8), long jump (17-3), triple jump (48-11.5), and decathlon with a 6,957 score this spring, Snowflake senior Ryder Hall has certainly been making noise not only within the northern Arizona track and field world, but across the state.

The “very special and exceptional athlete” plans on missing his own graduation to compete for the state decathlon on May 22-23 at Red Mountain, something that doesn’t surprise anyone in Arizona’s high country.

“He is a very dedicated to his training. He does all the right things to take care of his body and is very coachable and a great teammate,” Snowflake head coach Alicia LaDuke said.

When Hall was a freshman, Lobos high jump coach Ben Hipps knew even then he was going to be a special athlete.

“I have watched him grow from the most scared freshman that almost had a nervous breakdown at state to one of the most confident competitors I have ever seen in track,” Hipps said. “What else can I say? He is the best high school track athlete in Arizona.”

During his freshman year, Hall apparently wasn’t much to look at.

“At the time he was a typical freshman boy, hadn’t hit his growth spurt yet…skinny, but Ben [Hipps] could tell then that he was going to be even better than his older brothers, who were track stars,” LaDuke said.

Snowflake senior Ryder Hall competes at an event earlier this spring. Hall is currently ranked first in the high jump, long jump, triple jump and decathlon events heading into the 2026 Division IV State Track and Field Championships, which get underway Friday, May 8, at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix. (Andrew Wise/Courtesy)Both Hall’s older brothers went to the U.S. Air Force Academy and competed in high jump and long jump for the track and field program.

LaDuke said that her top athlete started primarily as a jumper but started trying him in other events like the hurdles and even pole vault.

“I saw real potential there, but he was a bit reluctant at first. Last year we were going to the Great Southwest and I asked him to consider doing decathlon, then had him go over and try pole vault. … He was so natural going over, clearing eight feet easily,” LaDuke said. “He had never touched an implement before and was just gifted.”

Hall, who also played soccer all four years for Snowflake, said track and field has always been a significant part of his life and it runs in the family.

“I have been running around and jumping all over with my brothers before I can even remember,” Hall said. “I first started in fifth grade. I followed my brothers’ footsteps and decided to try high jump and long jump and found from the beginning I had good form and a natural feel for the sport just by watching my older brothers compete.”

Hall never pictured himself competing in many running events, remembering what he called “watermelon Wednesdays” where all the jumpers sat around eating while runners “suffered” through their workouts, but he’s currently third in the 110-meter hurdles across the state. He’ll also compete in the 100-meter, 400-meter, shot put and discus among other decathlon events in late May.

Of course, Hall’s mother was a star athlete at a high school program in Utah, so the apple does not fall far from the tree.

“Without my mom keeping me in order and making sure I keep up with all the factors of my training, I wouldn’t be half the athlete I am today,” Hall said, adding that his coaches have played a major role over the years as he’s developed.

“I have been blessed to be trained under the best coaches who truly have what’s best for me in mind at all times,” Hall said. “My coaches are extremely knowledgeable and sacrifice so much time just to help teach and encourage me.”

Come May 8-9 when the Division IV State Track and Field Championships get underway at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Hall hopes to have plenty of success with a few gold medals draped around his neck when it’s all said and done.

“I attribute my success to my family,” Hall said. “My parents have always been there for me throughout all the ups and downs.”

Watch AzPreps365.com for full results of the Division IV State Track and Field Championships when they get underway May 8.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.