(MESA, Ariz.) Gilbert Christian Track and Field achieved historic success at the 2024 AIA Division IV State Championships, sending 16 athletes to compete in 17 events, with the girls' team earning runner-up honors. Junior superstar Addison Bisceglie made herself comfortable at the top of the podium, collecting major points for the Knights with a pair of state title wins.
Second is the highest-ever finish for the program at a state meet. Prior to Saturday, the best that any track team had placed in the championship was a tie for eighth (2017).
"I am so proud of how hard these girls worked," Head Coach Amy Ford said. "They left it all on the line and gave their best. In the end, five girls scored points for our team total, but they had the energy and enthusiasm of a whole team to get them through."
Bisceglies' victories came in the 800-meters, where she ran a 2:20.14 to take the crown, and in the 1600-meters (5:14.30), where Gilbert Christian took both first and second in the state.
Senior Ryley Nelson, who was another major stand-out at the meet, claimed silver in the 1600 (5:20), and placed third in the 3200, while setting a new school record with her PR of 11:28.74.
Freshman Mila Russo, the 2023-24 Cross Country State Champion, and member of the 2023-24 Girls' Soccer State Championship team, showed up to compete, breaking her own GCHS school record in the 400-meters on both Friday (59.07) and Saturday (58.64), to finish second in the state for the Knights. She also placed sixth in the 800-meter finals, with her personal record time of 2:26.95.
Scoring crucial points in all of her races was senior Megan Collard. Collard posted a sixth overall finish in the 400-meters (61.8) and recorded 8th-place in the 800 (2:28.19) for GCHS. She was also an integral part of the 4x800 squad (Kodi Bell, Nelson, Collard, Bisceglie) which ran an incredible race on Friday, claiming a spot on the podium (second), while setting a new school record (9:52.20).
Junior Kaila Aston made the discus finals, where she tallied ninth with a personal record toss of 93-05.
In the end, the difference between silver and bronze came down to the last race of the evening, the 4x400 relay.
"We knew that we needed to place two spots ahead of Ben Franklin in this final race for runner-up to be ours," Ford said. "The girls knew their jobs. Mila, Megan, Ryley and Addison did what needed to be done! They set a new school record of 4:05.93 and took second place overall. Gilbert Christian takes the runner-up trophy!! We were cheering, there were tears, and exhausted high fives. It was an amazing end to the night."
Five boys also qualified to race in the state meet for Gilbert Christian. Sophomore Kamari Stanbury, a standout athlete in football and basketball, tried his hand at track this season, and took eighth overall in the 100-meter finals.
Stanbury was also a part of the fantastic four, the 4x400 relay (Josh Rich, Kai Ahlman, Stanbury, Rydan Barth), who took fourth in the state and captured a new GCHS all-time best time (3:29.05).
The 4x100 team consisting of Rich, Maccoy Villone, Ahlman and Stanbury also had success, grabbing another PR and school record in 44.24 (9th).
Barth's time of 51.40 in the 400-meter solo race earned him sixth overall honors and scored points for the boys' squad.
"These boys fought hard, raced well and achieved school records," Ford said. "They are all coming back next year, which is so exciting. I have loved watching them come together as a team, pushing each other, expecting big things of each other and performing well. They exceeded their own expectations. We knew they could do it!"
Next up for the Knights, is the AIA All-State Meet. Rosters for the prestigious competition will be announced on Tuesday, but Gilbert Christian expects to send its 4X800 girls' relay, and state champion Bisceglie, in both the 800 and the 1600.
-GO KNIGHTS-
