Demitri Hayes was the sprinting proof of why so many people call the Rincon Relays one of the most fun track events of the year.
Hayes anchored Empire's sprint medley relay team. He blazed past three competitors, then held on in the final straightaway for a victory that sent teammates Cody Woody, Matt Gritis and Derek Cotton into a frenzy Saturday at Rincon/University.
The sprint medley relay is a series of four sprints: two 100s, a 200 and a 400. The race mainly tests overall team speed.
Woody and Gritis built a lead on the opening legs of the race. However, Cotton gave up three spots on the 200 when competition from Sahuaro, Nogales and Cienega passed him.
But Hayes took the baton from Cotton about five seconds behind the competition, and the long-legged senior passed all three runners by the end of the second turn. He held strong to earn Empire's first win of the day with a time of 1 minute 38.5 seconds.
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"We knew we had the speed to win," said Hayes. "And it feels good to come out and get it done the way we did. I'm happy I helped my team get those medals around their necks."
Sahuaro won the team event on the boys side with 80 points. Rincon/University was second with 76 and Nogales was third with 66.
The girls sprint medley relay proved to be just as exciting.
Sahuaro's Shelby Slocum got the baton from teammate Kathy Fisher just steps off the pace set by Rincon/University.
Slocum, a junior, eventually made her move around the third turn, and the Cougars won with a time of 1:56.03.
"If someone's that close to me, I'm not going to let them beat me," Slocum said.
The 38th annual event also proved to be an excellent showcase for Nogales' 4A-I state champion cross country team.
Konnie Zuniga, Lilia Moncada, Esther Estrada and Zahira Jimenez, the top four runners for the Apaches cross country team, were the strongest competitors in the distance-heavy events.
The foursome won the 4 x 1,600 mile relay in 23:59.71, which was 1:20.13 ahead of Glendale Ironwood, and they played a crucial role in winning the 4 x 800 in 10:25.90.
Rincon won the girls team title with 92, followed by Glendale Ironwood (83) and Sahuaro (70).
