Overview
- The 2026 high school track season concluded with the AIA State Championships at Mesa Community College and The Arizona Republic compiled top-10 lists for sophomore boys and girls to cap the year.
- The newspaper published the lists this week and opened a reader poll to name the overall top sophomore, with the pieces republished on platforms including Yahoo Sports.
- Kadyn Hysong of Phoenix Shadow Mountain is the No. 1 sophomore boy after clearing 17 feet, 6.5 inches in the pole vault, a mark that ranks him behind only two U.S. sophomores historically.
- Ava Davis of Goodyear Millennium is the No. 1 sophomore girl after an undefeated season in the 200 meters, a state title and a 23.76 that moves her to No. 9 on Arizona’s all-time list.
- Other notable sophomore performances include Brecken Bellows’ AIA 800m title in 1:51.91 that was just shy of the sophomore state record and Brandon Delancey’s 4:13.39 mile, and the lists aim to spotlight athletes likely to attract college attention next year.