Track and field championships: Safford coach captures 27th title

May 5, 2019 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365


Safford

Safford track and field coach Herman “BB” Andrews declined to take photos with his state championship team.

His boys won the Division III team title just by two points, the closest margin of victory in any division during Saturday’s event filled championship day at Mesa Community College. Safford volleyball coaching legend Norma Bellamy once told BB never to take part in state championship photos, because the kids should be the ones in the spotlight, not the coach, Andrews said.

BB kept his distance as his boys celebrated with the championship trophy at about 10:15 p.m., but the coach deserves a lot of the credit for leading his school to his 27th overall track and field team title.

The 69 year old has been teaching at Safford for 45 years and has also won six wrestling championships at the school.

“We should have won this thing by a little bit more,” BB said. “(On Friday) we had one of the worst days. But today we came back and had a gut check time. So all of these kids rose to the occasion.”

One of those kids was Jacob Urrea, whose best time in the 3,200-meter race was 10:06 but finished with a 9:43.70 on Saturday to pick up five big points for his team. He did so despite knowing his grandfather passed away on Friday and with his sister being sick.

“That kid ran the race of his life,” BB said.

Safford also had a freshman, Garrett Pritchard, in the shot put who, BB said, “Rose up from ashes. This kid had been throwing in the 30s but all of a sudden started throwing 40 (feet).”

Pritchard finished fourth with a throw of 47-00.50.

“That’s what changed everything around for us,” coach said.

BB was in a rush to get his team out of MCC so they could go eat at a local diner.

Hopefully he asked for the coaching legend discount.

Top-6 final team scores

(Chandler girls)

D-I girls

Chandler 189

Highland 75.50

Queen Creek 68

Desert Vista 53.50

Perry 50

Chaparral 33

D-I boys

Chandler 113

Highland 97.50

Desert Vista 91

Hamilton 54

Valley Vista 45

Tucson 36

D-II girls

North Canyon 142

Campo Verde 69

Caseel 54

Centennial 41

Flagstaff 36

Fairfax 31

D-II boys

(Campo Verde boys)

Campo Verde 96

Casteel 59

Millennium 52

Sahuaro 48

Maricopa 42

Ironwood Ridge 29

D-III girls

(Snowflake girls)

Snowflake 68

Prescott 58

Shadow Mountain 53

Salpointe 48

ALA Queen Creek 44

Mingus 41

D-III boys

Safford 50

Snowflake 48

Youngker 46

Saguaro 39

Page 34

Peoria 34

D-IV girls

Thatcher 99

Pusch Ridge 68

Valley Christian 47

Tempe Prep 43

Northland Prep 41

St. Michael 34

D-IV boys

Valley Christian 85

Anthem Prep 60

Thatcher 55

St. Johns 46

North Phoenix Prep 35

Chandler Prep 33 

For the final team and individual results go here: http://www.azpreps365.com/results/track-boys

Notes

(North Canyon girls)

North Canyon’s girls capped their three-peat in style. In their last race of the season they set a new state record in the 4x400 relay with a 3:42.46. “We’ve been talking about breaking this record ever since Chandler took it back (at the Brophy meet),” said Jordyn Mays, who ran the anchor leg in the 4x400. Like Mays, Dominique Mustin, Jayde Charlton and Delphine Dah will return to defend their 4X400 title. Mays now has 11 first place state medals to her name, and she’s just a junior. She also won the 100 and 200 meter D-II races on Saturday. Mustin also won the 400 and 800 meters and 100 hurdles … (Alaina Diggs)

It’s been quite a school year for Millennium’s Alaina Diggs. In the winter she helped her basketball program win its first ever basketball title. On Saturday, she ended her high school career winning the discus and defended her shot put title. “She’s a good kid,” Diggs’ mom Kim said. “She has worked so hard.” Diggs will continue her track and field career at Northern Arizona next season. “This is exciting,” Diggs said. “This was my last one. I just wanted to end it really well. So I’m really excited about what I did.” …

Remember the name, Quaron Adams of Chandler. You are going to likely hear a lot about the freshman in the coming years. He made some news and noise on Saturday, first by winning the D-I 100 meter race and then in the time (10.48) he did so. It was reported during the meet that it was the 9th fastest time ever recorded by a freshman. It’s also the fastest time by a freshman in the nation this season. It’s believed it’s also the fifth or sixth best time ever posted in Arizona. Adams finished second in the D-I 200-meter race, but his 21.61 is also the fastest time clocked by a freshman this season in the U.S. “I’m going to keep working hard,” he said. “I’m only going to keep going lower.” Adam’s mom, Quiana Cobb, said she was a expecting a 10.55. “I’m still excited,” she said. … (Leo Daschbach)

Highland’s Leo Daschbach’s was determined to prove he’s best the long distance runner in the state. He posted the fifth fastest 1,600 time (4.07.54) ever recorded in Arizona. He won the 800 meter race, edging teammate Sam Green at the end. He won the 3200 meter race (9:06.42). And he helped his 4x800 team finish first as well. “This is huge for me,” he said. “During cross country I got runner up at state, because I was sick. I got pneumonia. To be able to come out here and get my redemption, it just feels great.” … (Valley Christian's Chloe Fraley stands atop the medal stand.)

Valley Christian’s Chloe Fraley hadn’t competed since the Chandler Rotary on March 23 because of two torn ligaments. But she returned to action during the state meet. Her return was a success, as she defended her title in the javelin with a throw of 124.5. “I’m happy with my performance,” she said. “My goal was to be in the 120s. I am very thankful and happy I’ve been able to come back from an injury.” … Duke-bound Samantha Schadler of Rio Rico won the 800, 1600 and 3200 distance races in D-III and so did St. Michael’s Allie Upshaw in D-IV. … Betty Fairfax’s Makayla Dickerson broke her own 300 meter hurdles state record with a 41.39. … Chandler’s boys won their third title in the past four seasons and the girls won their 4th consecutive title and 13th girls title for coach Eric Richardson.