This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2001, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's success in prep track and field isn't much of a secret these days. Each year the state's high schools manage to produce a disproportionate number of nationally ranked performers, major-college signees and, occasionally, an All-American.
The 2001 outdoor season, and Mountain View discus thrower Nik Arrhenius in particular, ought to remedy that situation, as well as supply another handful of national-caliber performances.
With the season barely underway, Arrhenius improved his own state record and moved into second place on the national all-time list. At the Pine View Invitational last weekend in St. George, he uncorked a throw of 218 feet, 2 inches.
"I knew I could do it, but I was kind of surprised because there was no wind," Arrhenius said. Discus throwers prefer a slight headwind, and Arrhenius is confident the national record could come "anytime now if I can get the right conditions."
The Mountain View senior is chasing the national mark of 225-2, set by Kamy Keshmiri of Reno, Nev., in 1987. The record could come as early as Saturday, when Arrhenius and many of the state's top prep athletes compete at the Utah High School Track Coaches' Association Invitational at Taylorsville High.
"He's ready to shock the world," said Anders Arrhenius, Nik's father. "He's ready to break the American record if he gets a breeze."
Arrhenius isn't alone in early season record-setting performances. Roy senior Seth Pilkington added another 4-A mark to his résumé at Pine View, shattering Alan Parker's 19-year-old classification mark for the 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 11.38 seconds -- the fastest prep time ever recorded in the state. Pilkington, who broke the 4-A 3,200 mark last spring, recently ended his indoor campaign ranked third in the country in the 2-mile run (slightly longer than 3,200 meters) at 9:06.71.
Pilkington is hoping his fastest times won't come until he faces the nation's best in postseason meets in June.
"I think I can go under 4:05 [in the 1,600] . . . I've always set pretty high goals for myself, which is why I've been successful, because I expect a lot out of myself," Pilkington said.
Pilkington will have his hands full with the Mountain View duo of Chandler Goodwin and Dustin Bybee, considered national-level distance runners as well.
Utah's distance-running talent is evident in the girls ranks as well. Bingham's Laura Zeigle leads the way after posting the fastest prep indoor 2-mile time in the country this season, a Utah record 10:26.68. Twin sister Jackie finished the indoor season ranked 10th in the mile.
Provo's Kassi Andersen has fastest 800 time in Utah history and finished the winter ranked sixth in the country. Class 5-A cross country champion Amber Harper should be a factor on the track, along with East's Phebe Ko, Skyline's Lida Clapier and surprising Mountain View freshman Heidi Magill.
In the field events, Davis' Kelli Burton appears primed to go after Candice Workman's year-old discus and shot put records. Burton had the nation's sixth-best indoor shot put this winter (46-8 1/2). Burton's record in that event is 48-1 1/2.Top Teams 5A Boys
Favorite: Mountain View. Contenders: Davis, West Jordan, Bingham, Alta.
5-A Girls
Favorite: Mountain View. Contenders: Bingham, Davis, Kearns, Alta.
4-A Boys
Favorite: Box Elder. Contenders: Provo, Lone Peak, Roy.
4-A Girls
Favorite: Lone Peak. Contenders: Provo, Fremont, Spanish Fork, Weber.
3-A Boys
Favorite: Bear River Contenders: Dixie, Canyon View, Cedar City, Judge.
3-A Girls
Favorite: Snow Canyon. Contenders: Cedar City, Pine View, Delta.
2-A Boys
Favorite: North Summit. Contenders: Millard, Beaver.
2-A Girls
Favorite: Millard. Contenders: Manti, Juab
1-A Boys
Favorite: Panguitch. Contenders: Dugway, Green River.
1-A Girls
Favorite: Wayne. Contenders: Milford, Panguitch.