Canadian stars Foster, Sieben also expected to contend following summer championships

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

San Marcos senior Allie Jones is trying to extend the streak of California heptathlon winners at the 11th annual Arcadia Multis, with Rancho Bernardo senior Josh Farmer looking to end the drought for decathletes in the host state Friday and Saturday at Arcadia High.

A pair of Canadian standouts, Ethan Foster and Skylar Sieben, could potentially stand in the way of the Golden State talents pursuing gold, if they can duplicate or exceed their record-setting performances from August.

Following the graduation of decathlon winner Will West of Chamblee GA and last year’s heptathlon gold medalist Tierra Crockrell of Calabasas CA deciding not to defend her title to focus on individual events and relays, new champions will be crowned following two challenging days of competition.

Farmer placed third last year with 6,375 points. He is looking to become the first California decathlete to win at Arcadia since fellow San Diego Section standout Grant Zebold of Cathedral Catholic prevailed with 6,211 points in 2012.

Mission Vista CA junior Connor Luck and Lakeville South MN senior Brittan Burns, who placed 10th and 11th respectively last year, also return looking to challenge the 6,000-point barrier.

Connor Sheridan of East Greenwich RI boasts a personal-best 6,103 points from the AAU National Junior Olympic Games in August in Michigan, with David Bolles of Malvern Prep PA accumulating 6,057 points in June at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in North Carolina.

Foster, a senior at D.W. Poppy Secondary School in Langley, British Columbia, set a decathlon meet record with 6,035 points at the Royal Canadian Legion Youth Championships in Manitoba in August.

At the same meet, Sieben – a senior at Cochrane High in Alberta – produced a provincial heptathlon record with 5,020 points. Sieben finished seventh last year at Arcadia with 4,591 points.

Jones placed third last season with 4,837 points and was looking forward to a rematch with Crockrell and runner-up Anna Hall of Valor Christian CO, who captured the pentathlon title March 10 at New Balance Nationals Indoor. But Hall has decided to wait until June at the Great Southwest Classic in New Mexico to participate in her first heptathlon this season.

Crockrell was the third straight California heptathlete to triumph at Arcadia, following former Los Gatos star Caice Lanovaz – now at Cal Poly – in 2016 and Fresno Edison graduate Lyndsey Lopes, a USC standout, in 2015.

Along with Jones, fellow California athletes Arianna Gragg of Acalanes, Shaylynn Wynn of San Dimas, Jessica Swalve of Westmont and Yasmyn Harris of Stockton Lincoln are all scheduled to return.

Sterling Lester of Marietta GA, last year’s 400 champion, is also expected to challenge for the heptathlon title. Lester won the 2017 AAU Club National Championships 17-18 division gold medal with 5,094 points.

DECATHLON ENTRIES

Josh Farmer (Rancho Bernardo CA)
Derek Pekar (Ventura CA)
Cole Whatley (Del Oro CA)
Ethan Foster (D.W. Poppy Secondary School, British Columbia)
David Bolles (Malvern Prep PA)
Elby Omohundro (St. Christophers VA)
Ethan Au (Capital WA)
Joshua Gillis (Jesuit CA)
Connor Luck (Mission Vista CA)
Brittan Burns (Lakeville South MN)
Connor Sheridan (East Greenwich RI)
Matthew Molina (St. Francis CA)
Blake Howard (St. Francis CA)
Alex Kilpatrick (South Walton FL)
Shea Wissler (West Torrance CA)

HEPTATHLON ENTRIES

Sterling Lester (Marietta GA)
Skylar Sieben (Cochrane High, Alberta)
Allie Jones (San Marcos CA)
Haley Rizek (St. Pius X NM)
Shaylynn Wynn (San Dimas CA)
Arianna Gragg (Acalanes CA)
Bree Smentkowski (Huntington Beach CA)
Lindsay Kenefick (Huntington Beach CA)
Ruthie Grant-Williams (Coronado CA)
Yasmyn Harris (Stockton Lincoln CA)
Taylor Chocek (South Eugene OR)
Lucy Corbett (Del Oro CA)
Skye Lattimore (Rancho Verde CA)
Jessica Swalve (Westmont CA)
Daniela Lopez (Elsinore CA)
Kimberly James (Monroe CA)