San Juan boys capture historic track and field state championship

by Andrea Nielson and Regan Richmond
SJHS Track & Field Coaches
For the first time in 56 years, the San Juan High School boys track and field team stands at the top of the state podium.
The Broncos delivered a dominant performance at the 2A State Track and Field Championships, piling up 109 points to claim the state title, 32 points ahead of runners-up Parowan, who finished with 77.
For head coaches Regan Richmond and Andrea Nielson, the title was the culmination of belief, sacrifice, and complete team buy-in.
San Juan had not won a boys track state championship since 1970, but a few weeks before the state competition the coaching staff began looking at times and marks around the classification and realized something special might be possible.
The coaches presented the idea to the team: A state championship was within reach if everyone committed fully and was willing to do whatever the team needed.
The athletes responded. They bought in completely. The boys were willing to try new events, move around in the lineup, and push and support each other to score points for the team.
That commitment became one of the defining stories of San Juan’s championship run. The Broncos took 22 male and 17 female athletes to the state meet, by far the most any of the current coaches recall qualifying, and used depth across the board to overwhelm the competition.
Several events featured multiple San Juan athletes reaching the finals, including five finals throwers in shot put and three in multiple events, providing valuable points while also pushing opposing teams down the standings.
Four athletes scored in four separate events, including Platte Lyman, Tripp Palmer, Brigg Palmer, and Andrew Nielson.
The Broncos were led by returning state champion seniors Tripp Palmer and Cash Palmer, and junior and first-time state champion Platte Lyman.
But the title effort was built on contributions from every corner of the roster. Tripp Palmer scored 16 individual points, highlighted by a state championship in the high jump after clearing 6’6”. He also placed seventh in the long jump and fifth in the javelin.
Cash Palmer added another 16 points with a state title in the shot put, throwing 54 feet, 10.75 inches, over nine feet more than the second-place competitor. He also finished third in the discus.
Platte Lyman won the 800-meter race with an incredible 1:57.91 run only three hours after scoring points in the 1600 meter. Lyman also played a key role in two relay events that scored big points.
San Juan’s relay teams stacked points throughout the meet. The 4x100 squad of Miken Keith, Tripp Palmer, Andrew Nielson, and Brigg Palmer placed third.
The sprint medley relay team of Miken Keith, Brigg Palmer, Danny Price, and Platte Lyman finished fifth. And the 4x400 team of Andrew Nielson, Trace Bilboa, Kooper Laws, and Platte Lyman also took fifth.
The Broncos’ versatility showed everywhere. Andrew Nielson placed second in the 300-meter hurdles and added points by placing sixth in the 110-meter hurdles.
Brigg Palmer finished second in the 110 hurdles and eighth in the shot put. Miken Keith took second in the javelin. Kooper Laws secured fifth in both hurdle events, while Trey Bradford added points in the shot put when he took sixth.
As the final day unfolded and team scores continued updating, the excitement steadily grew among the Broncos. Through the second day they were cautiously watching the scores update.
Then the realization started setting in that they were actually going to do it. By the time the meet reached its final three events, San Juan had officially secured the championship, setting off a team celebration that was decades in the making.
All of the boys team’s success perhaps overshadowed so many great performances by the girls. They had an outstanding state meet as well with seven girls contributing points for a much-improved eighth-place team finish.
Sadie Palmer placed second in the javelin. Keezie Flannery took fourth in the high jump, making it four straight years of high jump scores for her.
Sincere Nez placed fifth in the 3200, Faith Flannery was sixth in the long jump, and Addison Helquist placed seventh in the 100-meter dash.
In addition to all those points, the 4x100 relay team of Addison Helquist, Addison Ivins, Aspyn Ivins, and Keezie Flannery placed fourth.
The girls team has seen a remarkable improvement after only two girls scored points in 2024 and three in 2025.
The coaches are very optimistic and excited about the direction of the girls team as well. Their impressive results throughout the season and the leadership of the entire coaching staff also earned statewide recognition.
Coach Regan Richmond was named the 2A Boys Track Coach of the Year – an individual award that more accurately reflects the dedication of all the coaches for their dedication and work building the championship program.
The coaching staff really believes in co-head coaches and so many more who fill necessary roles one coach just can’t keep up with.
Perhaps even more exciting for the Broncos is what lies ahead. Many of San Juan’s top scorers for both the boys and girls teams this season were juniors and sophomores, and Faith Flannery even scored in two events as a freshman.
The program has a strong foundation for the future, and the coaches and athletes are incredibly excited for incoming freshmen and other new contributors who will join the team next year. After ending a 56-year drought, the San Juan Broncos may just be getting started!