Ella Wolter-Sanchez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Highland High School for AZPreps365.com. 

After placing first in the state for the 4x100-meter relay with the second fastest time in state history last year, Highland High School boys track and field is back and hungrier than ever for this year's championships.

“This relay team has been training religiously all offseason, grinding since last track season to prepare for this moment,” said relay coach Justin Playman. “Our main goal has been keeping these guys healthy and getting them on the right path to chase this last part of state history.” 

While their goal remains the same, it looks a little different than it did last year. The relay team, which consisted of Brody Heussner, Anthony Martin, Gage Scheurn, and Max Menden last year, now has a new face: Devin Murray. Murray replaced Scheurn who transferred to Chandler High School.  

“Devin went 10.8 [seconds] this last week at Gilbert districts which means he finally went under 11," said Playman. “I don’t think last year all four of our guys were all fully under 11, and this year, all four of them are under 11, so huge achievement there.” 

While the relay group may have changed, the mindset within the Highland Hawks boys track team remains the same: trust the process. 

“We trust the process, that’s our thing here,” said senior Heussner. “We come to practice, show up, and let the results speak for themselves at the meet.”

While there are still a few weeks left until championships, “trusting the process” has already paid off long before any titles will be given. 

The 4x100 relay team ran a 40.85 on April 2, which is currently the fastest time in the state for the year. Highland currently holds the second-, third-, and fourth-fastest times in state history. 

“We haven’t changed anything. The biggest thing about us and why I think we continue to be successful is we commit to the process and we keep things the way they are supposed to be,” said head coach Jacob Rutter. “There is a certain level of expectations that we set last year that we carried into this year.” 

There is also another aspect of the desire to win: Rutter is leaving after his second season to be the head football coach at Arizona College Preparatory High School. Additionally, three out of four in the relay group are graduating next month, making a first-place record the perfect storybook ending. 

The Highland boys track team will be competing in open divisionals starting May 7, with state championships the following week. 

“Winning was a once in a lifetime experience, and I hope to do it again,” said Heussner.