Hayden Hartigan is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Edge for AZPreps365.com

Desert Edge senior jumper Dayvon Standard broke the school’s triple jump record Saturday evening with a mark of 47 feet, 11 inches, finishing second at the 86th Annual Chandler Rotary Invitational. Standard also placed second in the long jump with a mark of 22-6 – the second best jump in Desert Edge program history. 

Standard, an Oklahoma State wide receiver signee, became eligible to compete for the first time this spring after transferring from Buckeye Union this past year to play football and compete in track and field. 

“It feels great, especially being a transfer with that high expectation set,” Standard said. “I was just training with Coach Omari [Garret], he was just telling me, ‘Trust yourself and do what you do.’ I really give all the credit to my coaches and my teammates.”

Senior hurdler Asad Ali, who said he had been eyeing the Chandler Rotary all season, set personal bests in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles with times of 14.61 seconds and 38.60 seconds, respectively. Ali finished fourth in the 110-meter hurdles and second in the 300-meter hurdles.

“This put my name on the map,” Ali said. “It shows that I can do it.” 

In the second-of-three heats of the 300-meter hurdles, Ali stole the show, chasing down a competitor in the final stretch to win the heat.

“I was like, ‘I got it, I’ve gotta push,’” Ali said. “So I fought harder.” 

Desert Edge senior Asad Ali sprints to the finish line in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the 86th Annual Chandler Rotary Invitational Saturday night at Chandler High School. (Hayden Hartigan Photo/AZPreps365)

Distance runner Anthony “Ant-Man” Gonzales – who broke the 800-Meter run program record earlier this month at the Red Mountain Rampage – finished with a near-identical time at 1 minute, 52.12 seconds, just 0.01 seconds off his school record. 

Head coach Sharod Selph praised Gonzales’ consistency and work ethic.

“‘Ant-Man’ is a kid that’s going to give you every ounce that he has, no matter what the race is,” Selph said. “He doesn’t give up, he works extremely hard.”

Gonzales said he has his eyes set on faster finishes. 

“It feels good, but I know I can do more,” Gonzales said. “I’m ready to set [Desert Edge] on the map for distance.”

The girls 4x100-meter relay team – made up of four freshmen – continued its rise in the Desert Edge record books with the second-fastest time in program history at 49.68 seconds.

While the Scorpion girls’ program has quickly sprinted into the Arizona track spotlight, Selph sees an even brighter future ahead. 

“They have so much potential,” Selph said. “Those girls, they’re the future of our program.”

The 86th Annual Chandler Rotary Invitational, sponsored by Brooks, brought together more than 100 high schools from Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. As one of the premier high school track and field meets in the nation, the event provides athletes with a rare opportunity to compete against elite, out-of-state competition in a high-level, nationally recognized setting.

Selph said he was proud of the way his team rose to the occasion under the bright lights. 

“This is the biggest meet all year outside of State,” Selph said. “This shows me that no matter how big the stage is, they’re ready to compete.”

Desert Edge will continue preparing for the AIA State Championships at the 2nd Annual Just Us Classic at The Mecca on April 1 at Chandler High School and the Nightmare at The Nest on April 2 at Highland High School.