North Canyon swept the Division II state championships last year, 53.5 to 43 over Canyon del Oro on the boy’s side, and 75-74 over Cactus Shadows in girl’s competition and the Rattlers return to state competition with most of their top performers in action.

Sophomore sensation Jadyn Mays won the 100 meter (11.88), the 200 meter (24.54) and the long jump (19.01-75) last year and she is back this spring with the top D-II recorded time in the 100 (11.72) and the 200 (23.75). Her jump of 19-1 in March is still the best mark of the spring season. Mays was also the second leg of the state-champion 4x400 relay team with a time of 3:55.59.

The North Canyon 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams will all enter the 2018 state finals with the best times in the state.

Junior Makyah Richard (2:16.77) took second in the 800 meter run last year and her sophomore teammate Dominique Mustin (2:16.99) was right behind in third place. This year, Mustin has the best time in D-II (2:13.99) and Richard is right there (2:15.05). Mustin took the start in the championship 4x100 relay team and Richard joined her on the 4x800 relay championship team.

Senior sprinter Tyrees Moulton won the 200 (22.06), the 400 (47.49) and he anchored the 4x400 state championship relay team for North Canyon. He also took second in the 100 (11:15). The Miami commit has the state’s best time 400 (48.67) this spring.

In all, 15 individual races or events will be wide open in D-II with new champions ready to be crowned due to graduation and only three of those open spots are on the girl’s side. That means plenty of returning champions in girl’s competition and lots of opportunities in the boy’s races and events.

The list of returning champions in girl’s competition besides those listed above includes Liberty senior Asiah Fields (400), Chaparral junior Abi Archer (1600 and 3200), Kellis senior Jae'Nisa Heckstall (100 and 300 hurdles), Queen Creek senior Alexis Jones (Shot Put), Cactus Shadows junior Kelby Kuo (Discus) and Cactus Shadows sophomore Gabriela Marchica (High Jump). Cactus Shadows senior Kaley Dodd leads D-II in the javelin with a throw of 117-2.

Queen Creek senior Kevon Jackson won the 100 last year and other returning boys include Shadow Ridge senior Kyle Kerr (800) and Desert Edge senior Tyson Jones (Shot Put). Marcos de Niza senior Carlan Naisant has the best mark in the javelin at 204 feet.

In addition to the athletes mentioned above, the following athletes are expected to finish high and challenge for a spot on the medal stand at the D-II state championships based on performances this past spring:

Queen Creek junior Myreanna Bebe (100 Hurdles), Arcadia junior Makiya Moore (Discus), Catalina Foothills senior Aleks Stawicka (Pole Vault), Gila Ridge senior Mia Corners (Triple Jump), McClintock senior Stacey Boyd (100), Maricopa senior Frank Jones (200), Sahuaro junior Trayvion White Austin (200), North Canyon senior Tanner Hagstrom (800), Desert Edge senior Joel Mendez (1600), Gila Ridge senior Daniel Marquez (3200), Cienega senior Jamarye Joiner (110 Hurdles and Long Jump), Cactus Shadows senior Michael Marchica (300 Hurdles), Desert Edge senior Tyson Jones (Shot Put and Discus), Sunnyslope senior William McMurry (Pole Vault) and Cholla senior Marquis Griffin (Long Jump).