We're going to be starting a new series here on Utah Men's Track called "Fantasy Track." You can probably guess from its name what it's all about. Fantasy Track will outline a potential 2016 recruiting class for men's track and field at the University of Utah, if they had a men's team. By not having a men's track team, the University of Utah is missing out on some home grown high quality athletes, many of whom have expressed great interest in running track at Utah.
I run Cross Country and Track. I love running and I love the University of Utah. It would be the best thing in the world to be a part of, or even just watch, the University of Utah Men's Track and Field be built and excel against the top teams in the nation! - Skylar
The State of Utah has some of the best high school XC/Track athletes in the nation. This is a no-brainer! Go win some PAC-12 titles and get some Utah kids into school at the same time. - DavidFirst up on the list of potential 2016 recruits is Chase Heiner of Provo High School.
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| Provo's Chase Heiner |
We had to start this list off with Utah's fastest high schooler. Not only does Chase have the best 100 meter time of any high schooler in the state this year (10.83), he also set the state record in the 200 meters with a time of 21.35. If you thought he was done there, think again. He also ran the best time in the state in the 400 meters with a time of 47.07.
At the state championship meet, Chase qualified for the final of the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.99, but chose not to participate. His prelim time would have given him 4th overall in the finals, but his PR would have won. Altogether, he took home two state titles this year, one in the 200 meters (21.85) and one in the 400 meters (47.07).
What makes Chase such an excellent recruit is his versatility. He has proved time and time again that he can run any sprint event you put him in at a high level. The sky is the limit with Chase because when he gets to the next level, coaches will most likely have him focus only on long sprints like the 400m, or on short sprints like the 100m and 200m. When he starts to focus on event specific training, you will see his times drop significantly!
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| Provo's Chase Heiner battling our a win in the 4A 400 meters at the state track meet on May 16, 2005. |
Chase has chosen to take his talents to Utah Valley University after graduation where it looks like he will make an immediate impact in the Western Athletic Conference. It's hard to say if he would have made a different choice had the University of Utah been an option for him. The allure of the most prestigious conference in college track and field may have been just enough to sway Heiner into committing to the University of Utah. In any case, it's a shame that choice was never an option for him. Chris Hill, along with many other coaches and administrators, have repeatedly stated that winning recruiting battles in the state of Utah is a top priority. The University of Utah has missed, and will continue to miss, out on truly gifted athletes like Chase Heiner because they don't have a men's track and field team.
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