By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

MESA — Liberty High School sophomore Saylor McMillon said her experience at the Open Track and Field State Championships in Mesa was worlds different from what she saw as a freshman.

“I was very nervous,” McMillon said after winning the 400 meters title May 11 at the Open meet, held at Mesa Community College.

McMillon said in addition to being an individual qualifier at the state Open meet for the first time, she had an additional complication on the day of the Open finals.

“I forgot my bib at home, so I had to get another one when I got here,” McMillon said. “So that added to the stress.”

Also, she had to check in and then wait around until about 7:20 p.m. in the new meet format used this year.

Friday, May 10, McMillon was the fastest qualifier in the event with a time of 56.51 seconds in the 400 prelims. Cassidy Davidson of Cienega was second in the same heat at 56.95 seconds.

In the final a day later, McMillon pulled out to a lead shortly before the final turn, pulling away for a win in 56.01 seconds.
The runner-up, Chandler High senior Anaya Quarles, was a half-second behind at 56.51 seconds.

McMillon raised her arms in a victory pose as she crossed the finish line.

“I don’t usually do celebrations, but I had to do one for today,” McMillon said after the final.

She said after the start of the race, it was easier to dial in.

“Once I get going around the first turn, it’s easier to tune everything else out and just think about winning,” she said.
McMillon, Quarles and two other finishers in the finals all ran faster than the Open meet-record time of 57.41 seconds, set by Bianca Burrell of Desert Edge in 2011.

The sophomore said she might compete or train in track and field this summer.

McMillon’s win helped the Lions place 11th in girls team points with 23, one ahead of Basha and one point behind Desert Vista.

The Lions’ 4-by-100-meter relay team of Naomi Graney, Alana Johnson-Wilson, Mia Kemp and Addysan Prassas placed seventh.

Kemp, a junior cleared 5-feet, 2-inches in the high jump to place third. Senior Rylan Rhodes leaped 18-feet, 1.25-inches in the long jump to place fourth.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic.  Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org

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.

Community: He supports animal shelters.