MILESPLIT ALL-CA TRACK AND FIELD
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The All-State MileSplit Senior Boys All-CA Track and Field Team was selected based primarily but not exclusively on athletes who rank among the top of their class in the U.S. overall, performances at the State Meet, and top-of-the-class CA rankings.
These teams are subjective.
Marks are based on the MileSplit database. Stronger consideration is given to marks achieved at CIF and top invitationals over league meets and duals. Consistency at a high level is a factor in the determination between first- and second-team selections.
In selecting this team, every attempt is made to represent all 14 individual events.
At the CIF-State Championships, boys in the Class of 2022 won nine individual titles, had nine runner-up finishes, and collected 53 medals for top-six finishes. Jeremiah Walker (pictured above), won one individual title (400m), ran on the winning 4x100m relay team, earned a medal in the 200m, and anchored the 4x400m relay team to a second-place finish that secured the boys team championship. Colin Sahlman, pictured on the banner, did not compete in the CIF post-season, instead ran elsewhere to produce a sub-4 mile as part of his three state records, and three other top-five all-time results in the distance events.
The high-end depth of this class made for challenging decisions as to cutting to a final 23-member first team. We added a second-team list to recognize athletes whose performances at the State Meet and/or during the season warranted inclusion.
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FIRST TEAM
Daniel Appleford (Newbury Park/SS)
His 8:52.19 performance from the Arcadia Invite was the sixth-fastest effort in California but also 16th in the United States (and fifth on his own team!). He earned the silver medal at the State Meet a week after capturing the CIF-SS Masters Meet while also throwing in a 4:11.06 for the 1600 meters earlier in the season.
Zachary Ayers (Davis/SJ)
Headed off to the Air Force Academy, the California State Champion for the 3200 meters with an 8:56.93 performance. Last week, he rolled to an 8:58.75 effort at the Nike Outdoor Two-Mile as he was also Sac-Joaquin Section champion in the 1600 meters (4:13.81) and the 3200.
Delaney Crawford (Upland/SS)
The California State Champion in the 300 Hurdles, his 37.11 effort was the second-fastest time in the state. He helped lead his squad to place second as a team at the State Meet while his 13.98w for the 110 Hurdles was fifth, under all conditions, in California. The CIF-SS Div. 1 champion in the 300 Hurdles, he also was a member of their 41.74, 400-relay squad that qualified for the State Meet. He is headed off to the University of Virginia.
Jai Dawson (Dana Hills/SS)
Only one of three boys to break 1:50 for the 800 meters and 4:10 for the 1600 meters in 2022, he was the State Meet runner-up for the 800 meters. At the Brooks PR meet, his 1:49.33 performance moved him up to eighth in the United States and third overall in California. Headed off to UCLA this Fall, he also ran 4:09.50 as he captured titles in the 800 and 1600 meters at the CIF-SS Div. 2 finals.
Ellis Delvecchio (Thacher/SS)
Competing with no fear, front-running all throughout, the State Champion in the 800 meters went wire-to-wire with a 1:50.82 performance. With a 1:50.13 seasonal best (CA #3, USA #14), which was a solo effort at the CIF-SS Div. 4 CIF prelims, he easily won the divisional title a week later and captured the Masters Meet.
Elijha Ellis (Golden Valley/SS)
A State Meet finalist in the Long and Triple Jump, his 24-2.5 from his CIF-SS Div. 2 championship was the third-best in California for 2022 and 13th in the nation. He moved on to place second at the State Meet in the event. Meanwhile, he emerged as one of the state's best in the triple with his 48-3.5 winning effort at the Div. 2 finals ended as the second-best wind-legal performance for the season and 16th in the United States.
Chris Goode (West Ranch/SS)
The California State Meet runner-up for the 400 meters ended the 2022 season with the fastest time (46.75) in the state from the CIF-SS Masters Meet. That time was the 16th best in the United States as he also captured the CIF-SS Div. 2 title. He also recorded a 21.01w to place second at the Div. 2 finals for the 200 meters (CA #7 for all conditions).
Nikolas Iwankiw (South Pasadena/SS)
Placing sixth at the California State Meet, his 196-0 performance elevated him to 18th in the nation. With a lifetime best of 62-11 at the CIF-SS Masters Meet was the fifth top mark in the state in 2022 for the Shot Put, where he earned the bronze medal at the State Meet in that same event. He was also the CIF-SS Div. 3 champion in the Shot Put.
Seth Johnson (Cajon/SS)
The California State Champion in the High Jump, his 6-9 seasonal best tied for the state lead. The multi-faceted UC Berkeley-bound senior was much more as his 13.94w at the CIF-SS Division 1 finals was the fourth-best, under all conditions, in the state for the 110 Hurdles. His 14.02 from the Mt. SAC relays was also fourth while he also played a crucial role in both his school's relay squads advancing to the State Meet. With a 39.01 for the 300 Hurdles, he was the only boy from the Southern Section to advance to the State Meet in four events.
Jeremy Kain (Scotts Valley/CC)
Earning the silver medal for the 1600 meters at the California State Meet, his 4:07.77 seasonal best ranked sixth in California for 2022. The 1600-meter Central Coast Section champion also earned the title in the 800 meters with a 1:51.32, also ranked sixth in the state.
Jaelen Knox (Long Beach Poly/SS)
The State Meet Finalist in the 100 and 200 meters, came home with a fifth-place medal in the latter. His 20.77w victory at CIF-SS Div. 1 finals left the season as the third-fastest performance, under all conditions, in California. He was runner-up at the Div. 1 finals for the 100 meters in a wind-aided 10.39 (CA #9 all conditions). College: USC.
Jadyn Marshall (St. Mary's/SJ)
Despite a late-season injury derailing his postseason, his 13.49 wind-legal performance at the Texas Relays was the fastest effort in the nation in 2022. He also recorded a 13.35w that same weekend, also leading the nation under all conditions. UCLA-bound, his 36.73 was the top time in California for 2022 and 15th in the United States.
Cade Moran (Murrieta Mesa/SS)
The California State Champ in the Shot Put ended the season with a 66-10 (US #6) from the Arcadia Invite. His 207-4 measurement in the Discus at the Div. 1 CIF-SS Prelims was the second-best in the nation as he also placed second at the State Meet. He is headed to the University of Michigan and just recently qualified for the U-20 World Championships in the Discus.
Camryn O'Bannon (St. John Bosco/SS)
Off to attend UCLA this Fall, the senior responded big in winning the state title in the Triple Jump after the disappointment of not advancing into the final nine at the State Meet for the Long Jump. His 24-4 wind-legal mark ended up third in the state and twelfth in the nation. Under all conditions, his 48-0 performance was the third-best.
Hunter O'Brien (Roosevelt/SS)
The California State Champion in the Pole Vault, his 16-9 victory at the Arcadia Invite also ended as the top mark in the state for 2022. That performance was the ninth-best in the United States while he also earned the CIF-SS Div. 1 title. He will head off to UCLA this Fall.
Aiden Pastorian (Great Oak/SS)
Pulling off the upset over Cade Moran at the CIF-SS Division 1 final, his 66-7 performance ended up second in the state for 2022 and ninth in the United States. He went on to earn the silver at the State Meet. He was also a CIF-SS Finalist Div. 1 for the Discus.
Jason Plumb (Corona del Mar/SS)
With perhaps the biggest upset at the State Meet, he came up huge when it counted most against a stellar field with a wind-aided 24-5.75 to win the championship based on a better second jump over Golden Valley's Ellis. This was the third-best mark in California, under all conditions, in 2022.
Colin Sahlman (Newbury Park/SS)
Established a new California prep record for the Mile with his 3:56.24 at the Prefontaine Classic. He kicked off the season by setting the new state record for the 3200 meters (8:33.32) as both times were national leading times. His 1:48.07 is the fifth-fastest in state history and fourth in the nation for 2022. Sahlman anchored his 4xMile squad to a new national record (16:39.31) while also anchoring his Distance Medley Squad to a new state record (9:55.24). He is the most decorated athlete in California prep history. He is headed off to the University of Northern Arizona.
Cameron Tarver (Central/CS)
With his third-place performance at the California State Meet in the 200 meters (21.28w), after placing fifth in the 100 meters (10.55w), he helped lead his squad to the team title. He ran the second leg on their victorious 400-relay team as well. That squad led the state with a 40.63 (US #12).
Max Thomas (Servite/SS)
His 20.68 performance at the Trabuco Hills Invite was the top time in California for 2022, while ranking fourth in the United States for wind-legal performances. Falling sick the week of the CIF-SS Masters Meet, he could not qualify to the State Meet in the event but did place third at the State Championships for the 100 meters. His 10.40 wind-legal best was 20th in the nation and third in California. He will compete for the University of Southern California next year.
JC Stevenson (Great Oak/SS)
His 24-9.5 wind-legal best at the Arcadia Invite was the top Long Jump mark in the state and sixth in the United States. He was the only boy to earn medals in both horizontal jumps at the California State Meet with a third-place finish in the Long Jump and earned the silver in the Triple Jump. In the latter, his 48-5.5 effort to win the Mt. SAC Relays, was the top wind-legal mark in the state for 2022, it was 12th in the nation. He also earned titles in both events at the CIF-SS Division 1 finals.
Jeremiah Walker (Central/CS)
Headed off to San Jose State, the catalyst for leading his squad to the California State Team Title captured the state title in the 400 meters. His personal best, from Friday's prelims, of 46.81 ended as the 17th best time in the United States. His 20.89 was the third-fastest wind-legal effort for the 200 meters in California while he was instrumental in his squad capturing the state title in the 400 relay. Their 40.63 was twelfth in the United States while he also anchored his crew to a runner-up finish in the 1600 relay in a 3:14.78 (CA #3, USA #19).
Terraine Wiggins (Golden Valley/SS)
The most improved thrower in the state went to another level in May, climaxing with his 198-11, fourth-place performance at the California State Meet. He also captured the CIF-SS Div. 2 title (196-1) and the SS Masters Meet (196-0) titles as well while ranked 12th in the United States.
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SECOND TEAM
Shane Bagley (Lemoore/CS) - Cleared 16-1 at the California State Meet to earn the bronze medal. His 16-5 clearance in late April tied him for the third-best mark in California.
Christopher Coats (Upland/SS) - Earned the sixth-place medal at the State Meet for the 400 meters after running 47.36 (CA #7) at Friday's prelims. He captured the CIF-SS Div. 1 title while also placing second in the 200 (21.21w) to help lead his squad to the divisional title. His 400-relay squad also qualified for the State Meet.
Logan Davis (Marshall/SS) - A State Meet finalist in the 200 and 400 meters, earned the fifth-place medal in the 400 meters. His 47.31 from the CIF-SS Masters Meet was the fifth-best mark in the state while he also ran a wind-legal 21.33 at the Div. 3 finals.
William Dawes (Arroyo Grande/CS) - Coming up big with a third-place finish at the State Meet in the Triple Jump. His 47-7.25 performance was the fifth-best in California under all conditions.
Leon Gillis (Steele Canyon/SD) - The co-leader with the top mark of 6-9 for the High Jump in California, he placed second at the State Meet and was the only boy in California to clear the 6-8 bar on three occasions.
Bryce Gilmore (Sage Creek/SD) - His 8:53.23 in the 3200 meters from the Arcadia Invite was #19 in the nation. He also captured the San Diego Section Div. 2 title at 9:06.50 and added a 4:11.71 for the mile at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Nick Godbehere (Shafter/CS) - A tough State Meet aside, the graduated senior shined at the Nike Outdoor Nationals with a lifetime best of a 63-8.25 effort (CA #3). He placed seventh at the State Meet in the Discus while his 189-5 best was also seventh overall for 2022.
Ethan Godsey (Agoura/SS) - He earned the fifth-place medal in the 1600 meters at the California State Meet and left the season with a 4:09.49 best (CA #7). His 8:54.23 was just outside the national top 20 list.
Elijah Ignacio (Elsinore/SS) - With an incredible month of May, he placed fifth at the State Meet with his 196-7 effort. That mark was the fifth-best in the state for 2022. He was also a CIF-SS Div. 1 finalist in the Shot Put with a 56-3 best.
Patrick Ize-Iyamu (Chaminade/SS) - A hamstring injury derailed his State Meet plans, his 10.44 wind-legal seasonal best was sixth in California. His 21.05 in the 200 meters from the CIF-SS Div. 3 finals ended as the fourth-best for 2022 and was just outside the top 20 in the nation.
DeQuan January (Upland/SS) - Ran 14.01 (1.6) PR in the 110m hurdles at State Prelims. Placed third in the 110s at Southern Section D-1 Finals (14.08/2.8). Member of the 4x110m shuttle hurdle relay team that lowered its state record to 56.77 at Mt. SAC.
Evan Johnson (Robert Louis Stevenson/CC) - Off the radar until the final month, the Central Coast Section champion stepped it up, placing fourth at the State Meet with his 10.48w. His 10.41w was ninth in the state, under all conditions, for 2022.
Nathan Johnson (Clovis/CS) - Placed fourth at State in the Long Jump while also taking seventh in the 100 meters. In the latter, his 10.36 wind-legal at the T.R.A.C. Championships was 13th in the United States.
Rayshon Luke (St. John Bosco/SS) - Headed off to the University of Arizona, his 10.32 wind-legal performance from the Mt. SAC Relays was the second-fastest in California and 11th in the United States. He helped his squad to a 40.80 (US #19).
William Mullins (Cathedral/SS) - Anchored 4x400m relay team to a title at the State Meet (3:13.87), CA No. 1 and U.S. No. 11. His 400m PR of 47.47 for third at Southern Section Masters ranks CA No. 8. SS D-3 champion at 400m (47.62).
Ray Oldham (Davis/SJ) - With a 6-7.5 seasonal best in the High Jump, the Sac-Joaquin Champion tied for second place at the California State Meet.
Yutaka Roberts (El Camino/CC) - A late-season injury through State Meet aspirations, his 1:51.04 seasonal best ended as the fifth-best in the state for 2022.
Jacob Robison (Foothill/SS) - A 1:51.77 lifetime best by over a second yielded him the fifth-place finish at the State Meet. That mark was eighth-best in the state for 2022.
Will Sheehy (Harvard Westlake/SS) - THE most improved distance runner in California in 2022, he came in with a 10:14.01 best. He graduated with an 8:58.66 best from the Arcadia Invite along with a fourth-place finish at the State Meet.
Jacob Snodgress (San Marcos/SS) - Vastly improved over the last month of the season, he placed third at the California State Meet in the 800 meters. His 1:51.32 tied for the sixth-fastest in the state.
Levi Taylor (San Marcos/SD) - Placed fourth at the State Meet in the 1600m running 4:12.32. His 1600m PR of 4:11.87 to win at the San Diego Section Finals ranks CA No. 10 in the class
Shawn Toney (Los Altos/CC) - Placed third at State in the 300m hurdles, running a PR of 37.42 that ranks CA No. 5. PR of 14.32 (2.1) in the 110m hurdles ranks CA No. 9 in the class.
Jacob Watts (James Logan/NC) - State Meet qualifier in the discus throw and the triple jump. Placed fourth in the horizontal jump with a PR of 46-5.75 (4.3). Won both titles at North Coast Section Finals, with marks of 153-8 in the discus and 46-4 (2.5) in the triple.
Adam Wright (Monte Vista/CC) - His 14.17 (4.5) PR performance at the State Meet yielded him the third-place medal in the 110m hurdles. Wind-legal best of 14.41 (0.8) ranks CA No. 7 in the class.
Mark Gardner is a teacher, announcer, former coach, and a regular contributor to MileSplit.
Photos by DeAnna Turner, Daniel Hernandez, James Leash, Pat Rhames, Raymond Tran, and Dan Tyree
MileSplit State Editor Jeffrey Parenti contributed to this article.