The regular season has come to a close and all the blood, sweat and tears will soon be worth it come this weekend at the girls Division IV State Track and Field Championships.

Set for Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, at Shadow Mountain High School, 2902 E. Shea Blvd, Phoenix, here are a few teams and individuals worth watching out for.

SNOWFLAKE

The three-time defending Division IV state champs are looking to make it four straight this spring (7th overall) and with a Lobos owning the top time in seven events heading into the state meet, they just might get there.

Senior Jayci Ballard is one of the top hurdlers in the state of Arizona at any level, owning a 15.44 mark in the 110-meter and 43.72 in the 300-meter.

In the relay events, Emma Brimhall, Rebecca Ballard, Maria Tingey and Hailey Jones own a 47.89 mark in the 4x100-meter, while Jayci Ballard, Kinzie Flake, Bryn Kupfer and Jones have a 4:00.52 in the 4x400-meter. Both times are tops in the state currently at the Division IV level.

In discuss, senior Ranell West owns the top state throw at 128-feet, 5-inches, while Bryn Kupfer’s high jump mark of 5-foot, 8-inches is tops right now. Ballard is also in the mix for the state’s best long jumper, owning an 18-foot, 1-inch mark currently.

“[Our athletes] do the little things and don’t skip corners,” Snowflake coach Alicia LaDuke said. “The success of each athlete raises the level of those around them.”

ALA-WEST FOOTHILLS

Coming in third place a season ago, and missing out on second place by two points, ALA-West Foothills has a handful of athletes that may help put their team over the top and could break Snowflake’s current state championship run.

Sophomore standout Tziporah Korto is dominant in the sprint events, owning a 12.10 mark in the 100-meter, a 24.41 in the 200-meter and a 56.66 in the 400-meter dash.

ALA-West Foothills also possesses one of the top distance runners in the sport. Sophomore Gwendolyn LeVander owns both top state times in the 1,600-meter (5:14.18) and 3,200-meter (11:16.68) runs.

Coach Phillip Ludlow credited his athletes for their standout marks this spring.

“A big part of that is having athletes who trust the process,” Ludlow said. “As a coaching staff, we have programs and processes that we know produce success, but with a relatively new program our athletes are just starting to understand.”

THATCHER

The Eagles have several athletes to watch out for come this weekend, but one in particular has caught the attention of the track and field world in senior Kylia Nelson, who owns the top pole vault mark in 2026 with a 10-foot, 10-inch leap. She also holds the top triple jump mark coming into the state championships with a 36-foot, 6-inch try.

Coach Eric Haller said a big reason why Thatcher has been successful this season is the number of student-athletes who have participated this season.

“Our numbers were high, just over 100 going into the season, which is great for a school of just over 500,” Haller said. “We have a great group of senior girls that have been with us all four years. That leadership and experience has been a big factor in our success.”

Others to watch include Taizlee Taylor, Lanie Larson and Jade Richardson.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Trojans standout Lauren Payne is worth a look in the 800-meter event as she set the state’s top mark with a 2:16.63 time this spring.

Coach David Mehlhorn said athletes like Ellie Phillips and Ellie Edwards in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs are worth a watch as well.

“Division IV from a top-end talent can go toe-to-toe with pretty much any division in the state,” Mehlhorn said. “It’s fun to see the small schools showing out.”

OTHER NOTES

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

TOP MARKS ENTERING STATE: DIVISION IV GIRLS

100 meters: Soph. Tziporah Korto, ALA-West Foothills, 12.10

200 meters: Soph. Tziporah Korto, ALA-West Foothills, 24.41

400 meters: Soph. Tziporah Korto, ALA-West Foothills, 56.66

800 meters: Jr. Lauren Payne, Valley Christian, 2:16.63

1,600 meters: Soph. Gwendolyn LeVander, ALA-West Foothills, 5:14.18

3,200 meters: Soph. Gwendolyn LeVander, ALA-West Foothills, 11:16.68

110-meter hurdles: Sr. Jayci Ballard, Snowflake, 15.44

300-meter hurdles: Sr. Jayci Ballard, Snowflake, 43.72

4x100 relay: Emma Brimhall, Rebecca Ballard, Maria Tingey, Hailey Jones, Snowflake, 47.89

4x400 relay: Jayci Ballard, Kinzie Flake, Bryn Kupfer, Hailey Jones, Snowflake, 4:00.52

4x800 relay: Zoi Nagel, Triniti Gray, Summer Smith, Eliana Metz, Chino Valley, 10:04.96

Shot put: Jr. Lilie Angell, Snow Low, 37-1

Discuss: Sr. Ranell West, Snowflake, 128-5

Javelin: Sr. Brooke Zuluaga, Seton Catholic, 157-8

High jump: Jr. Bryn Kupfer, Snowflake, 5-8

Pole vault: Sr. Kylia Nelson, Thatcher, 10-10

Long jump: Sr. Jayci Ballard, Snowfake, 18-1

Triple jump: Sr. Kylia Nelson, Thatcher, 36-6

Defending Team Champ: Snowflake

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.