Outstanding performance at the recent Chandler Rotary elevated her to a national-type competitor.

Event continues Wednesday and Thursday at Horizon High in Phoenix. Games also at Hamilton, Corona del Sol, Brophy.

If one guessed what school won a girls event at the 71st annual Chandler Rotary Invitational Track and Field Meet on Saturday CHANDLER would have been the best guess.

There will be plenty of returning champs and many more aiming to become champs Friday and Saturday at the 71st Annual Chandler Rotary Track and Field Meet at Chandler HS Austin Field. Twelve defending champs covering 14 events return to the Rotary, according to meet director Dave Shapiro. A total of 107 schools will be represented.

Xavier coach Barb Chura is not bashful when it comes to talking about freshman forward Nikki Walts -- and for good reason. Walts scored two goals in the final 13 minutes Wednesday to help the Gators skip past Desert Vista, 3-1, in a 5A-I girls soccer semifinal at Campo Verde High School.

Broncos pick up the pace in the second half, get goals from Grigsby and Ayers for 2-1 win.

About three dozen athletes, coaches to be honored in ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Jim Ewan retires from Chandler High after 40-year coaching career; Tom Joseph deserved better at Mountain View.

Junior Dimitri O\'Brien leads team in Class 1A quarterfinals.

School honored cancer survivors, raised donations.

It is not easy for athletes to follow in the footsteps of a successful sibling. For Cory Breinholt, he has experienced a double helping of that pie. Breinholt, a senior completing his fourth varsity season running cross country at Highland High, watched brothers Craig and Derek achieve at a high level in the sport. Craig, who ran from 2002-2004, was the individual state champ in 5A his senior year (2004). Derek peaked at No. 3 in the state his senior season (2007) and collected three top-10 finishes overall at state.