Top fields assembled for Great Southwest Classic

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

An all-star collection of top high school talent is assembled this weekend in Albuquerque for the 41st Great Southwest Classic.

The Great Southwest has extended beyond the Four Corners states and the athletes who come here compete for their states. 

There are some big-time performers coming to this weekend's field events. 

Newly minted national record holder Christopher Nilsen from Missouri is traveling out of state for a highly anticipated matchup with indoor national record holder Mondo Duplantis of Louisiana.

Freshman class record holder Jasmine Moore of Texas is entered in the long jump and her specialty, the triple jump. Both of those events are loaded.

On the track, Hunter Woodhall, the Utah state champion and a U.S. Paralympian, is entered in the 400 meters.  However, it is the elite section of this event should draw the most attention. It features a showdown that includes sensational Florida freshman Tyrese Cooper, Prefontaine Classic high school 400 winner Keshun Reed from Texas and 44-point sprinter Akeem Bloomfield from Jamaica.

Later, Cooper will go in the 200 meters against Texas state champion Shamon Ehiemua and D.C. standout Maxwell Willis.

A week after torching the Montana state meet with an historic triple, Christina Aragon is entered in the 800 and takes on a field that includes Nevada state meet record holder Karina Haymore.

Florida state champion Symone Mason is entered in the 200 and 400. She will get a test from Julia Hall, the Colorado Class 5A runner-up in the 400.