Payson Roundup

Strong performances from Maddie Nossek and Matt Wilson could earn the two Payson High track stars 3A state gold medals.

Both Nossek and Wilson enter the state finals, which began today, May 15, at Mesa High School, as East Region champions with marks good enough to put them in contention for state first-place showings.

In the long jump, Nossek won the East title by leaping 17 feet, 1 inch. None of the champions from the other three regions are close to her winning effort.

In the South, Safford’s Ciera Holston won at 15 feet, 10 inches. Regina Reid of Mountain Valley won the North crown at 15 feet, 4 inches. Estrella Foothills’ Jasmine Pratt soared 16 feet, 5 inches to win the West title.

In the boys shot put, Wilson threw 48 feet, 0.25 inches last week to win the East Region title.

The only athlete with a better toss is West champion Alex Smyth of Fountain Hills who won at 48 feet, 4 inches.

West champ Benito Molina threw 43 feet, 9 inches and the North crown was garnered by Holbrook’s Jim Morty at 41 feet, 11 inches.

Payson also has several other qualifiers at MHS who could contend for gold medals. They include Jenna Robertson, Cody York, Ryan Hintze, Nick Goodman and Kayla Morgan.

The 3A state championships wrap up tomorrow, also at Mesa High School.