Sedona Track Team Honors Star Athletes Ahead of State Finals

The Sedona Red Rock High School track and field team recently gathered in their school cafeteria for an awards ceremony, marking their final event before the upcoming Arizona Interscholastic Association state championships scheduled for May 16 and 17.

Head Coach Sean Eicher highlighted the team’s potential, acknowledging the graduation of 17 seniors from the previous year. “We’re young. We already have 13 going to state,” he stated confidently. Eicher expressed optimism for the next two years, suggesting the team could see over 20 athletes qualify for state.

Most Valuable Player

**Boys’ team: Chokyi Carstens.**
Chokyi Carstens was awarded MVP for his impressive times in the 800 meters and 1,600 meters. He improved his personal best in the 800 from 2:24.7 to 2:05, while also achieving 4:46.7 in the 1,600 meters. Carstens reflected on the mental challenges of running, saying, “It’s pretty much just all grit and power of will.” He’ll be competing in both the 800 and the 4×400-meter relays at state.

“I’m surprised I got it,” Carstens noted, referring to teammate Ramon Betancourt’s consistent top finishes. “It feels pretty good knowing I’m comparable to him.”

**Girls’ team: Avery Raczynski.**
Raczynski’s accolades came from her sprinting events, where she recorded personal bests, including 13.65 seconds in the 100 meters and 57.44 seconds in the 400 meters. Assistant coach Harry Schneider praised her resilience, stating, “I have no clue how good she can be.” Raczynski expressed hope of breaking a school record by her senior year despite ongoing shin splints.

Outstanding Athlete

**Ramon Betancourt:**
Eicher described Betancourt as a consistently strong competitor, stating he could earn first place at the state level. Betancourt plans to attend Northern Arizona University before advancing to medical school to pursue anesthesiology.

Utility Athlete

**Keldon Cain:**
Keldon Cain was recognized for his versatility in relays and individual events. Eicher praised his unexpected success in the 400 meters, noting his significant improvement, which bolstered the team’s competitiveness in the event.

Most Improved Awards

**Ari Tedrick:**
Ari Tedrick earned the Most Improved Award after making a tremendous leap in pole vaulting, improving from 9’6″ to 12’9″. Assistant coach Zach Wheat commended the vaulting team’s hard work.

**Vincent Smith-Shayawatt:**
Smith-Shayawatt demonstrated remarkable growth in both discus and javelin throws, attributing his success to strength training and consistent improvement at meets.

Best Sportsmanship Award

The Best Sportsmanship Awards were given to Aubrie Doyle and Justin Pallarez. This ceremony also served as a farewell for assistant coach Victoria Lindsey, who celebrated her 25th birthday and is moving on to the Phoenix Police Department. Lindsey reflected on her coaching journey, expressing gratitude to both athletes and parents for their support over the years.