BOYS, GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD: Gridders run track for speed

Xavier Smith must adjust to running without blockers in front of him.

"Track and field is a different thing," said Smith, a junior who as a running back helped lead Sunnyside High to the Class 4A state championship last fall. "I just want to get better at football."

Smith, who was sidelined while recovering from knee surgery his sophomore year, is one of 15 football players who have swelled the ranks of the Blue Devils boys track and field team.

"Most of our skilled guys on the football team are running track this year to get faster," said Smith, who went out for track as a freshman.

Sunnyside opens its season today in a 4A Sonoran Region dual meet at Santa Rita.

"You have to give a lot of credit to football coach (Richard) Sanchez in telling a lot of the kids to come out for track," said track coach Rafael Ortega.

Smith's prowess as a sprinter will be severely tested today. Santa Rita seniors Paul Stewart and Richard Baca are two of the best sprinters in town. The duo finished first and second, respectively, in the 100 and 200 meters at the 4A Kino Regional last year.

Santa Rita moved to the 4A Sonoran this year.

Senior all-state pick Vanessa Hernandez and junior Evelyn Soto, both distance runners, will lead Sunnyside's girls.

Hernandez announced yesterday that she will attend Central Arizona College in Coolidge this fall, where she will run cross country and compete in track and field.

She won the 4A state championship in the 1,600 meters while finishing second in the 800 last year.

"I am hoping for a great season since this is my last year," Hernandez said.

Soto took third in the 800 at the Sonoran Regional a year ago.

Class 4A Sonoran outlook

Boys: Palo Verde took the team title last year, but the Titans are now in the 4A Kino. Rincon/University is the favorite. Catalina is a major challenger.

"Winning the region is one of the things we work for," said Rincon coach Chris Goldston.

Seniors Austin Fetter and Sean Kilgore will score plenty of points for the Rangers in the distance events. Rincon will look to sophomore Josh Thomas to contribute in the 200 and 400.

"We lost a lot of seniors, but we still can do well," Thomas said.

Other boys to watch: SUNNYSIDE: Boyd Howery, sr. (1,600/3,200). NOGALES: Eric Chavez, jr. (1,600/3,200). CATALINA: Michael Krepps, sr. (1,600/3,200), Chris Gartrell, sr. (400/long jump). MARANA: Robert Siqueiros, sr. (1,600/3,200). IRONWOOD RIDGE: Michael Anderson, fr. (1,600/3,200), Daniel Berg, sr. (shot/discus).

Girls: Defending champ Rincon will get a battle from the best girls team at Catalina in more than a decade.

"If we do not repeat, it will be a disappointment," said Rangers coach Dameon Ortiz.

Rangers senior Amber Gill won the 100, 200, 400 and the triple jump at the regional meet last year. Freshman standout Ashley Chirco and senior Ashley Hayes will pace the Rangers in the distance races.

Other girls to watch: SANTA RITA: Angela Peterson, sr. (800/1,600), CeCe Stevens, fr. (1,600/3,200). CIENEGA: Renee Pajak, jr. (1,600/3,200). NOGALES: Karla Fierro, jr. (1,600/3,200) . CATALINA: Brittney Hinchcliffe, sr. (100/200), Cheavonne Hinchcliffe, sr. (100/200), Awelle Odima, sr. (long jump/ triple jump), Holly Rook, jr. (800/1,600), Laura Mabry, jr. (1,600/3,200), Leah Robles, jr. (100/400).

Class 4A Kino outlook

Boys: Despite huge losses to graduation, defending champ Catalina Foothills should have the numbers to turn back Douglas and newcomer Sabino. Senior shot putter Joe Sanchez and sophomore sprinter-long jumper Travis Freeman will provide scoring punch for Foothills.

"This is a very good track region," said Palo Verde coach Bobby Estrella.

Other boys to watch: DOUGLAS: Kenny Cormier, jr. (1,600/3,200). CIENEGA: Ryan Nelson, sr. (1,600/3,200). PALO VERDE: Jordan Schwalbach, sr. (100/200). Roger Wells, sr. (100/200). SABINO: Richard Escalante, sr. (100/200), Brian Carpenter, jr. (800/1,600). AMPHI: Alex Comyford, sr. (800/1,600/3,200), Efe Okougbo, jr. (100/200). PUEBLO: Andre Mays, sr. (100/200), Tyreece Mays, jr. (long jump), Edmund Hunter, sr. (long jump/triple jump). DESERT VIEW: Victor Zazueta, fr. (800/1,600).

Girls: Catalina Foothills will stay at the top in the region with its superior balance and depth.

Sprinter-long jumper Echo Fallon will lead the Falcons. The junior is the defending regional champ in the 400. Pueblo's LeShawn Woods is the defending 4A state champ in the 200.

"We have some pretty strong teams and athletes in the Kino," said Palo Verde coach Todd Mayfield.

Senior sprinters Cherelle Sims and Brittany Montoya and hurdler Candis Harris are solid for Palo Verde.

Other girls to watch: SABINO: Brandy Collins, sr. (400/800). AMPHI: Dora Martinez, so. (800/1,600). PUEBLO: MeShawn Woods, sr. (100/200). CIENEGA: Renee Pajak, jr. (1,600/3,200). Angelica Valdez, sr. (1,600/3,200). DOUGLAS: Denise Alonso, sr. (100/long jump).