The Pahrump Valley High School track and field team turned in a strong showing at the Sam Germany Invitational, held Saturday, March 28 at Canyon Springs High School, with standout performances across both track and field events. Competing against a deep field, the Trojans’ boys team placed third overall, while the girls secured a second-place finish, battling closely for the top spot until the final event.
The meet opened with the 4×800 relays, where the boys team of Josh Slusher, Daniel Thompson, Josh Gent and Joaquin Flores set the tone with a third-place finish in 9:01.03. The Lady Trojans followed with a statement performance, as Avery Farruggia, Ava Bowers, Rosie Miller and Addi Nelsen captured first place in 11:31.26, earning valuable early team points.
In the girls 100m hurdles, Diona Nixon led the way with a first-place finish and a season-best 17.62. Ella Odegard added a fourth-place finish with a personal best of 19.05, while Kyndra Cardwell also posted a personal best at 20.83.
Sprint events continued with the boys 100m dash, where Ben De Santiago led the Trojans with an 11.65, finishing 10th overall. Aeden Redditt (12.30) and Justin Byers (12.33) followed. On the girls side, Anjolina Mercado (13.79), Ma’liyah Collins (13.85) and Cindal Monahan, who recorded a season-best 14.81, all turned in solid efforts.
The boys 4×200 relay team clocked a time of 1:39.65, keeping momentum rolling into the distance events. In the boys 1600m, Joaquin Flores earned a seventh-place finish in 5:06.38, while Josh Gent (5:12.82), Josh Flores (5:16.69) and Timmy Stutzman (5:44.00) added depth.
The girls 1600m proved to be a dominant moment for Pahrump, sweeping the top three spots. Jules Ondrisko claimed first in 5:48.41, Addi Nelsen followed with a personal best of 5:57.35 for second, and Ava Bowers secured third with a personal best of 6:05.37. Sophie Romero added an eighth-place finish with a personal best 6:26.45, contributing key points.
In the boys 4×100 relay, Ulisses Alvarez, Rene Gonzalez Valdez, Aeden Redditt and Justin Byers combined for a time of 47.77.
The boys 400m dash highlighted one of the meet’s biggest moments, as Ben De Santiago broke the PVHS school record for the third consecutive meet, winning the event in 49.65. Aydon Veloz added a season-best 53.30, while Josh Slusher (58.53) and Kelan Sheppard (58.98) both recorded personal bests. On the girls side, Jules Ondrisko placed third overall with a season-best 1:04.21, followed by Aurora Bowers in sixth (1:06.88), Avery Farruggia (1:10.18) and Cindal Monahan (1:11.11).
In the 300m hurdles, Jayden Crisler continued his strong season with a third-place finish and personal best 41.99, while Ulisses Alvarez ran 51.01. For the girls, Diona Nixon placed third overall in 32.12, with Cardwell (1:02.06) and Odegard (1:09.10) adding depth.
The boys 800m saw another standout performance from De Santiago, who took first overall with a personal best 2:04.87. Daniel Thompson added an eighth-place finish with a personal best 2:16.07, and Slusher followed with a personal best 2:19.09. In the girls race, Addi Nelsen placed fifth (2:46.03) and Ava Bowers took eighth (2:46.95), with Rosie Miller (2:50.70) and Farruggia (3:00.63, personal best) also competing.
In the 200m dash, Jace Wulfenstein led the boys with a season-best 25.20, followed closely by Redditt (25.31) and Byers (25.33), while Alvarez ran 27.45. On the girls side, Collins (28.80), Mercado (28.99) and Monahan (season-best 30.20) continued to contribute.
Distance runners closed out their individual events with strong finishes in the 3200m. Joaquin Flores placed third overall in 11:08.54, while Josh Flores (11:58.24), Gent (12:15.45) and Stutzman (season-best 12:57.40) followed. For the girls, Ondrisko captured another first-place finish in 13:59.35, with Sophie Romero taking third (14:26.82), Alexis Clouser running 14:55.78 and Kimberly Trejo posting a 16:33.40.
The meet concluded on the track with the 4×400 relays. The boys team of Wulfenstein, Slusher, Veloz and De Santiago placed fourth overall in 3:40.10. The girls team of Aurora Bowers, Rosie Miller, Ella Odegard and Ondrisko also finished fourth in 4:48.74.
In field events, construction prevented throwing competitions, but the Trojans made their presence felt in the jumps. In the boys high jump, Veloz placed fifth (5’8″) and Gent added a personal best of 5’2″. On the girls side, Rosie Miller took third (4’10”), Kimberly Trejo tied for fourth (4’6″) and Aurora Bowers finished sixth (4’6″).
In the boys long jump, Crisler placed sixth overall with a leap of 19’10”, while Daniel Thompson (15’3″) and Kelan Sheppard (14’7″) also competed. Diona Nixon led the girls long jump with a sixth-place finish at 15’1″.
In the pole vault, Addi Nelsen placed third (5’6″) and Kyndra Cardwell took fifth (5’0″). The boys triple jump saw Crisler earn a second-place finish with a jump of 43’10”, while Thompson added a mark of 34’10”.
By the end of the meet, the Trojans had showcased their depth across every event group. The boys’ third-place finish and the girls’ runner-up performance—coming down to the final event—highlighted the team’s ability to compete with top programs, regardless of classification, as the season continues to build momentum.
Head Coach Dan Nagle praised his team’s effort from start to finish.
“Our athletes battled to the very last race, showing heart and determination every step of the way—and that’s all any coach can ask for.”
