Chandler High School senior Imani Galera-Young was recognized at a Chandler City Council meeting for her track and field accomplishments to date. She took photos with her mother and with Vice Mayor Christine Ellis, left, and Mayor Kevin Hartke, right.
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Chandler High School senior Imani Galera-Young was recognized at a Chandler City Council meeting for her track and field accomplishments to date. Galera-Young, center, wearing shorts, took photos with her family, coaches, and with Vice Mayor Christine Ellis, left, and Mayor Kevin Hartke, right.
One of the fastest women in Chandler was recognized at an Aug. 11 City Council meeting.
Chandler High School senior Imani Galera-Young was recognized at a Chandler City Council meeting for her track and field accomplishments to date.
Those accomplishments include being named Gatorade’s female Player (Athlete) of the Year for her historically strong junior year in track and field.
Galera-Young won both the Division I and Open titles in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles as a junior. Her times in those events during the season ranked high on lists of both all-time Arizona performances and nationally for 2025.
Galera-Young’s time of 41.5 seconds in the 300 hurdles puts her at No. 15 in the U.S. for the 2025 outdoor season.
Her speed also helped the 4x100-meter relay team set a new state record at 45.13 seconds. The Chandler girls team dominate the points title at both the Division I and Open meets.
Galera-Young also earned high school All-American status by running 1:00.53 to finish seventh in the 400-hurdles at Nike Outdoor Nationals in June in Eugene, Oregon.
She has also maintained a 4.3 GPA at Chandler High.
Galera-Young took photos with family, coach Eric Richardson, Vice Mayor Christine Ellis and Mayor Kevin Hartke.
Hartke told the audience, “When I first read about all her accolades, I thought, I really hope we can get her to come to a meeting.”
Galera-Young said she’s grateful God has blessed her with ability and great support from family and coaches.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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