The Pahrump Valley High School track and field team made a strong statement at the Dave Butler Memorial Las Vegas Open Invitational, held at Desert Oasis High School on March 8. Competing against approximately two dozen schools, including teams from 5A to 2A divisions and even one from Arizona, the Trojans proved they could hold their own among the best.
In the sprints, several athletes set personal records (PRs) and delivered impressive performances. For the boys’ 100m, James Dela Rosa ran a solid 12.03, followed closely by Randy Murray at 12.08, while Ulisses Alvarez achieved a PR of 12.50. On the girls’ side, Rosie Miller clocked in at 13.56, and Payton Weaver finished in 14.06. The 200m races saw more PRs, with Ben De Santiago running 23.66, while Dela Rosa (24.28) and Alvarez (26.59) both achieved personal bests. Payton Weaver led the girls’ 200m at 29.29, with Valery Romero (29.81) and Kaylan Robinson (32.24) also setting PRs.
The Trojans continued their success in the hurdles, with Diona Nixon finishing the girls’ 100m hurdles in 18.59, and Ella Odegard clocking in at 20.33. In the girls’ 300m hurdles, Sasha Strain set a season-best at 52.22, while both Odegard (57.04) and Sydney Crotty (1:05.39) earned PRs. Ulisses Alvarez represented the boys in the 300m hurdles, finishing in 54.92.
In the longer distances, PVHS runners continued to shine. Benjamin De Santiago placed 5th overall in the boys’ 400m with a time of 51.28, while Aydon Veloz (55.01) and Eric Figueroa Renteria (57.34) also ran strong races. Jules Ondrisko finished 8th overall in the girls’ 400m with a time of 1:03.64, and Robinson hit a PR at 1:12.79. Antonio Veloz finished 4th overall in the boys’ 800m with a season-best 2:04.93, with Joshua Slusher (2:24.92) and Daniel Thompson (2:28.46) following. The girls’ 800m saw Addi Nelsen finish in 2:55.24, while Alexis Clouser (3:03.54) and Crotty (3:16.82) gained valuable experience.
The boys’ 1600m showcased Joaquin Flores setting a PR at 5:01.82. In the newcomers’ race, Joshua Gent placed 9th overall with a PR of 5:22.44, while Daniel Thompson ran 5:39.71. On the girls’ side, Clouser (6:53.55), Alejandra Abarca-Franco (6:59.49), and Sophie Romero (7:00.02) ran solid races. Gent also set a PR in the boys’ 3200m with 11:46.07. In the girls’ 3200m, Keelee Gieni (15:21.46), Romero (15:49.36), and Abarca-Franco (16:02.68) pushed through the grueling race.
Field events brought more success for the Trojans. In boys’ discus, Brenden Thorn hit a PR of 111ft 4in, placing 12th overall, with Sonny Skinner (98ft 2in) and Hunter Mellinger (92ft 3in) throwing well. In girls’ discus, Jemima Chavez led the team with 63ft 1in, followed by Nyomi Skinner (43ft) and Julie Briggs (41ft 3.5in). The girls’ high jump had Rosie Miller and Savannah Thompson both clearing 4ft 6in, with Miller finishing 7th overall based on attempts.
In the boys’ long jump, Jayden Crisler set a PR at 18ft 8in, while Murray (17ft 3in) and Figueroa Renteria (15ft 6.25in) competed well. Thompson led the girls with a long jump of 13ft 6in. In boys’ pole vault, Rhett Swaner cleared 7ft 3in. In the boys’ shot put, Mellinger finished 4th overall with a PR throw of 42ft 5in, while Skinner threw 34ft. Briggs set a season-best in girls’ shot put at 20ft 10.5in, followed by Skinner (19ft 1.75in) and Chavez (17ft 9in). Crisler also shined in the boys’ triple jump, finishing 5th overall at 39ft 8in. Joseph Scheer (31ft 10in) and Slusher (29ft 6.25in) also performed well. Thompson led the girls in triple jump at 29ft 4in.
The relay teams delivered exceptional performances, with the boys’ 4x400m relay team of De Santiago, Flores, Aydon Veloz, and Antonio Veloz finishing 1st in small schools with a time of 3:36.13. The girls’ 4x400m relay team (Strain, Ondrisko, Robinson and Perry) finished 4th overall with a time of 4:34.98. The girls’ 4x200m relay team (Ondrisko, Strain, Weaver, Nixon) finished 6th overall and 2nd in small schools with 1:53.99. The boys’ 4x800m relay team (Aydon Veloz, Thompson, Flores, De Santiago) placed 5th overall and 3rd in small schools at 9:01.31, while the girls’ 4x800m relay team (Clouser, Miller, Romero, Robinson) finished 5th overall and 2nd in small schools at 11:32.35.
Back: Aydon Veloz, Antonio Veloz and Joaquin Flores
Head Coach Dan Nagle was pleased with the team’s performance, stating, “It was a very successful meet for our team. Our boys’ 4x400m team continued right where they left off last year. The addition of Aydon Veloz and Joaquin Flores kept us running. Individual athletes that shined were Ben De Santiago in the 400m and Joshua Gent in the 3200m. The girls’ 4x200m surprised us all and finished second for all small schools. Julianna Ondrisko shined in her solo 400m race.”
The Trojans also competed in a weekday meet at Liberty High School on March 5, but due to errors with timing, some results were not recorded. Despite this setback, Coach Nagle expressed pride in his athletes and their growth. With such a strong showing at Desert Oasis, the PVHS track and field team is poised for a promising season ahead.
