KIRTLAND – Local track and field athletes descended on Kirtland Central High School on Saturday for the Bill Slade Invitational, where Farmington and Piedra Vista high schools emerged as the dominant forces in a packed field of regional talent.

The Farmington High School boys team put on a clinic, racking up more than 130 points to take the team title. Meanwhile, the Piedra Vista girls used superior depth across the field events and hurdles to secure a first-place finish with 108 points.

Farmington’s Dayton Bizzell proved to be the fastest man on the track, taking the 100-meter dash in a blistering 10.89 seconds, leading a 1-2-3 Scorpion sweep alongside teammates Canton Cahoon and Marcus Peters. Peters later returned to win the 200-meter dash in 23.53 seconds.

On the girls’ side, Farmington’s Chloe Huff was equally untouchable. Huff secured a sprint double, winning the 100-meter dash in 12.29 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 26.26 seconds.

The FHS track team appears poised for a big effort at the upcoming Class 5A state championship meet, which will take place at the UNM Track-Soccer Complex Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16.

“I think we’ve really come together as a team the last couple weeks,” said Farmington head coach Jeremy Newland. “We battled through some injuries but I think we’re in a good spot heading to the final weeks.”

Piedra Vista’s Kael Farley was the star of the throwing rings. Farley dominated the boys’ shot put with a toss of 48 feet, 2 inches and crushed the competition in the discus with a throw of 157-03—nearly 40 feet further than his closest competitor.

In the vertical jumps, Piedra Vista’s Greysen Keiser cleared 6-04.25 to win the high jump, while Aztec’s Jake Roberts vaulted 13-08.00 to take the pole vault title.

Aztec’s Alisia Valerio swept the girls’ horizontal jumps, winning the long jump at 16-01.00 and the triple jump at 34-04.00. Aztec also saw a standout performance from Kamber Martin, who won the javelin (107-11) and placed second in the shot put.

Bloomfield’s Andrew Himes took home first place in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.03 seconds, topping Farmington’s Gilberto Quezada. Himes, who missed some time recovering from a shoulder injury, appears ready to defend his Class 4A state title in this event.

“I’ve been challenging myself to be ready,” Himes said. “It’s just willing to make a difference for the team and doing the best I can.”

Navajo Prep showed its strength in the distance events. Elijah England cruised to a victory in the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:01.60, while the Navajo Prep boys 4×800 relay team took first in 8:31.00.

Shiprock’s Kaden Lapahie took home a hard-fought win in the boys 1600-meter run (4:44.91), narrowly edging out a trio of Navajo Prep runners. For the girls, Farmington’s Logan Webb captured the 1600-meter crown in 5:48.03.

In the relays, Piedra Vista and Bloomfield traded blows. The PV girls took the 4×100 and the Sprint Medley, while the Bloomfield girls claimed the 4×200 and 4×400. The Farmington boys displayed their depth by winning the 4×200, 4×400, and the Sprint Medley relays.