Ortiz clocks meet-record 46.69 to earn top male track honors, Sims wins long jump and triple jump for field athlete award; McCormick and Vazquez also double, McHenry repeats in high jump, as Hala'ufia, Maxwell and Steward enjoy big throws

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The 82nd NIKE Chandler Rotary Invitational might best be remembered Saturday night for the most remarkable 400-meter performance in meet history from junior Avaunt Ortiz of McClintock High in Arizona.

But surrounding that exceptional lap were so many significant efforts that showcased the depth of not only elite competitors in the host state, but from California, Colorado and Texas as well.

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There was the determined distance double in the 800 meters and mile by Connor McCormick of Longmont High in Colorado.

Sir-Jonathan Sims made a lasting impression in his first Chandler Rotary meet for the host Wolves with a sweep of the horizontal jumps at Austin Field.

Yan Vazquez of Red Mountain High in Arizona reminded everyone not only of his hurdling prowess, but also his versatility by competing in the high jump and 4x400-meter relay.

And all three victorious athletes in the throwing competitions elevated into the top 10 all-time meet performers, with Brophy Prep’s Brennen McHenry the only male athlete to repeat as champion in any event, securing back-to-back high jump victories.

But well after the 4x400 relays had concluded, highlighted by his rally on the anchor leg to help McClintock win its section and finish third overall in 3:21.53, there was still a buzz over the 400 effort more than an hour earlier from Ortiz that earned him male track athlete of the meet honors.

His 46.69 performance not only eclipsed the 2017 meet record of 47.15 by North Canyon’s Tyrees Moulton, but elevated to No. 3 in the country this season.

Sims, a transfer from Hermitage High in Virginia, secured male field athlete of the meet recognition after producing a 48-5 (14.75m) triple jump effort along with a leap of 23-7 (7.18m) in the long jump.

He matched the No. 6 performance in meet history in the triple jump and equaled the No. 11 all-time long jump mark at Chandler Rotary.

McCormick, a Princeton commit who enjoyed success in the fall competing in Arizona at both the Desert Twilight Festival and NXR Southwest events in cross country, achieved the second-fastest 800 mark in meet history by clocking 1:51.90 to prevail in the highly anticipated showdown against Jared Laverty of El Paso Americas (1:52.24).

McCormick also triumphed in the mile in 4:13.66, edging Logan Marek of Ironwood Ridge High in Arizona, who was runner-up in 4:13.77.

Vazquez continued to affirm his status as one of the most complete hurdlers in Arizona prep history, producing the second-fastest 300 hurdles effort all-time at the meet by clocking 36.66. He also ascended to No. 6 in meet history by prevailing in the 100 hurdles in 14.11, in addition to placing second in the high jump by clearing 6-2 (1.87m) and contributed to an eighth-place 4x400 relay (3:25.27).

Jacob Steward of Cactus Shadows High in Arizona secured the javelin throw victory with a 190-6 (58.06m) performance.

Samuela Hala’ufia of Mountain View Marana High in Arizona achieved a pair of personal-best efforts in the discus, the latter coming in the sixth round to secure the win at 184-3 (56.15m).

Both Hala’ufia and Steward ascended to the No. 5 athletes in meet history in their respective events.

Quinton Maxwell of Show Low in Arizona nearly became the seventh all-time competitor at the meet to produce a 60-foot shot put, but just missed with his triumph at 59-11 (18.26m).

McHenry matched his 6-4 (1.93m) clearance from last year to defend his Chandler Rotary high jump title.

Zach Bingham of Highland High in Arizona cleared a personal-best 15-9 (4.80m) to prevail in the pole vault.

Jordan Washington of Long Beach Jordan in California followed his contribution Friday to the 4x200 relay victory by winning the 100-meter dash in 10.69. He also secured the seeded 200 win in 21.64 and helped the Panthers place second in the 4x100 relay in 42.43.

Blaise Nelson of Valley Vista High in Arizona took second to Washington in 10.75 and then responded by winning the invitational 200 in 21.72.

Nate Pestka of Shadow Mountain triumphed in the 3,200 in 9:06.40, holding off fellow Arizona competitor Terrence Keyes of Gilbert in 9:07.61.

Arizona swept all three boys relays Saturday, with Chaparral leading the charge by clocking 42.07 in the 4x100, Liberty earning the 4x400 win in the section ahead of McClintock by running 3:19.79 and Shadow Ridge taking the 4x800 in 8:04.14.