Arizona's Top Track Stars: A Legacy of Speed & Strength

Arizona's high school tracks have been a launchpad for numerous athletes who achieved national and international acclaim. Dallas Long, graduating in 1958, set a U.S. high school shot put record and went on to win Olympic gold. Dwayne Evans, from 1976, secured an Olympic bronze medal with a national record in the 200 meters, a record that still stands for Arizona high schools.

Nick Hysong, a 1990 graduate, set a state pole vault record and later captured Olympic gold in 2000. Joe Batiste, an early star from 1939, tied national hurdle records and was selected for a U.S. All-Star team. More recent talents include Will Claye, a 2008 graduate who won multiple Olympic medals in jumps, and Michael Bates, a 1989 sprinter who also won Olympic bronze.

Other notable athletes include Devon Allen (2013), a hurdler with multiple NCAA titles and Olympic appearances; Turner Washington (2017), a discus and shot put standout with NCAA championships; LaNorris Marshall (1978), an elite sprinter; and Jim Brewer (1957), a pioneering high school pole vaulter.

These athletes represent a deep legacy of success in track and field, with many achieving NCAA championships, Olympic medals, and national records after their high school careers.