State Champion 4x400 team Josie Mack, Lilli Burton, Ayla Carling, Marah Long

Josie Mack
Monticello sophomore
4X400 state champion
4:27.02 (4th, Mhs history)

Coach Ivan Mack: “Josie is a dedicated student and hard-working athlete. She quietly persists and has a desire to reach the goals she has set. Since she was little, she has demonstrated a quiet, stubborn drive that has led her to many of her successes. She has shown this as an accomplished member of the volleyball team and a state finalist in the 100-meter hurdles (ninth), 300 hurdles (fifth), and a state champion in the 4x400 relay.
“Josie works hard in the classroom and remains focused on what is most important in reaching her goals. I am proud of her and her willingness to be the best she can be. I am especially thankful for her desire to do what is right.”

Lilli Burton
Monticello senior
4X400 state champion
4:27.02 (4th, mhs history)

Head Coach Jeff Hunt: “Lilli was a senior who was going to prove me wrong, and I am sure glad she did. Her freshman and sophomore years, she was a distance runner…begrudgingly. Last year injury led to a shortened season. This year, she was determined to be a sprinter despite her previous experience. It turns out she was pretty good.
“Still, when Coach Mack looked and saw where we could put our best relay team together, Lilli and the 4x400 were a perfect match. She started the team off with a lead to secure a state championship and a second-place team trophy.”

Ayla Carling
Monticello senior
4X400 state champion
4:27.02 (4th, mhs history)

Head Coach Jeff Hunt: “Ayla has been the quiet leader of Monticello Cross Country and Track for the past few years. We knew when the season started that if there was a way to get her on the All-State board with a state title, we had to give her a chance. She has been the team mom for what seems like forever and she has always done what has been asked of her despite chronic shin splints.
“When Ayla took the baton on leg three of the state 4x400 relay, both Panguitch and Valley came after her with all they had, even briefly taking the lead. Don’t ever let it be said that Ayla doesn’t have a mean streak. She dug deep, took the lead right back, and extended it down the stretch to hand off to Marah. Ayla truly earned her place in the record books.”

Marah Long
Monticello senior
3200 meter state champion
11:34.12 (2nd, mhs history)
800 meter third place
2:22.07 (mhs school record)
4X400 state champion
4:27.02 (4th, mhs history)

Head Coach Jeff Hunt: “We have known about Marah’s competitive side and determination for years, but she showed this year that she has wicked kick to go along with that determination. Sitting in fourth with 300 meters left in the 3200, that kick came into play and I am not sure anyone would have stood a chance down the stretch. Marah showed something new this year; her time in the weight room led to strength and speed.
“With 100 meters to go, there wasn’t anyone in the stadium who thought she would catch the leader and get the win. But it truly was amazing to watch one the greatest finishes in my 21 years at MHS. The next day as the anchor in the 4x400 relay, we knew that not only did we need to win, but we needed to win by a couple places to secure a trophy. When Marah got the baton from Ayla, she left no doubt in securing a relay title and a team trophy.”