Dani Jones breaks state mile record, Carlos Villarreal captures title at Prefontaine Classic

Arizona's top female and male track athletes made the inaugural Prefontaine Classic high school mile memorable Friday night at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon.

Phoenix Desert Vista graduate Dani Jones finished second in the girls mile in a photo finish of 4 minutes, 39.88 seconds, breaking her state record.

Rio Rico grad Carlos Villarreal won the boys mile in 4:05.25, which ranks second in Arizona all-time, behind former Yuma Cibola star Bernie Montoya's 4:01.32, set in 2012.

Jones set the state mile record in March at the Chandler Rotary Invitational, where she also broke her state record in the 1,600 meters with a time of 4:44.46.

Both girls and boys races had thrilling finishes with Jones just edged out by Ryen Frazier, who came across in 4:39.88. Frazier, who is from from Raleigh, N.C., hadn't raced since early April.

Jones, who will compete at Colorado in college, had the lead with 200 meters to go, then dug deep at the end with a final kick and finished with her all-time best three weeks after capturing four gold medals at the Division I state track and field championships in Mesa.

Villarreal, who was born in Mexico and is headed to the University of Arizona to continue his track career, showed off his sprinter's speed at the end to win the boys mile in a fashion that shows he has a big future in the sport. He kicked into high gear in the final 100 meters to overcome Mikey Brannigan, who has autism and had an ESPN documentary crew following him, according to DyeState.

Brannigan of New York, named by Sports Illustrated as the high school athlete of the month in February, was second at 4:05.78.

Villarreal set a state record in the boys 1,600 at the Division III championship with a time of 4:03.97.

Jones was named the Girls Track Athlete of the Year by azcentral sports, while Villarreal was named the Boys Track Athlete of the Year.

DyeState reported that both Jones and Villarreal wore orange wrist bands in memory of Tempe Corona del Sol runner Marcus Wheeler, who recently committed suicide, in what was yet another example of how close the state's track community is.