With the Division V State Track and Field Championships scheduled for this weekend in Mesa, several teams and individual performers are worth keeping an eye on.

The two-day event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. Here’s a look at who to watch for:

ARIZONA LUTHERAN

The two-time defending Division V state champs may have cruised to victory in 2025, scoring 90.50 points compared to runner-up Round Valley’s 59 points, but this weekend may be a bit tougher to pull off.

Senior Ella Peltzer will be one to watch in the shot-put event as she currently holds the state’s top mark with a 37-foot, 4.5-inch try. Emma Drexler and Emma Peterson will also be worth a watch in the hurdles events this weekend.

“It is hard to say who will challenge in Division V. As I look through the standings, there are so many schools that have different strengths and weaknesses that it is hard to tell who the obvious leader is,” coach Matt Hyn said.

GLENDALE PREP

Finishing third a season ago with 58 points, just one shy of Round Valley’s 59, Glendale Prep is led by a fantastic 4x800-meter relay team. The group consisting of Maycee Brady, Maya Plastow, Adelina Gameros and Naomi Burge clocked a 9:59.82 this season, which is the state’s top mark so far heading into May’s state competition.

“Our success on the girls side has been driven by an influx of young talent. The majority of our contributors are freshman and sophomores, and they’ve stepped up in a big way this season,” coach Eric Webdale said. “I expect them to continue rising to the challenge at state.”

Others to watch include Pearl Dunkin in the jump events, along with Burge and Brady.

ROUND VALLEY

Despite coach Tom Pifer stating that his girls team is “very young,” there is one athlete worth a watch this weekend in junior Addison Poston, who posted the state’s best javelin score at 115-feet, 8-inches this spring.

OTHER NOTES

For more information on the boys Division V State Track and Field Championships, or for links to live events on the NFHS Network, visit AzPreps365.com.

TOP MARKS ENTERING STATE: DIVISION V GIRLS

100 meters: Jr. Abby Roth, Phoenix Country Day, 12.74

200 meters: Sr. Josephine Mushahwar, Rancho Solano Prep., 25.84

400 meters: Jr. Hanna Ashby, Pima, 58.34

800 meters: Soph. Jolee Baddeley, Scottsdale Christian, 2:18.26

1,600 meters: Fr. Nicole Alexandrovich, Trivium Prep., 5:07.76

3,200 meters: Soph. Emerson Butler, Phoenix Country Day, 10:57.15

110-meter hurdles: Sr. Landie Crum, Mogollon, 16.17

300-meter hurdles: Sr. Rayleigh Olsen, Benson, 46.65

4x100 relay: Amanda Mourelo, Austyn Wilson, Nicole Topete, Samantha Adam, Horizon Honors, 52.51

4x400 relay: Leah Morozowich, Serena Dupps, Taylor Voris, Gwyneth Lofredo, North Phoenix Prep., 4:13.21

4x800 relay:  Maycee Brady, Maya Plastow, Adelina Gameros, Naomi Burge, Glendale Prep., 9:59.82

Shot put: Sr. Ella Peltzer, Arizona Lutheran, 37-4.5

Discuss: Sr. Sofia Bower, Kingman Academy, 117-6

Javelin: Jr. Addison Poston, Round Valley, 115-8

High jump: Sr. Christina Keller, Scottsdale Christian, 5-8

Pole vault: Jr. Cheyenne Alder, Pima, 10-3

Long jump: Jr. Hanna Ashby, Pima, 17-5

Triple jump: Soph. Ana Liles, Veritas Prep., 35-8

Defending Team Champ: Arizona Lutheran

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.