Here are this week’s nominees for the Arizona Republic’s boys’ and girls’ athletes of the week, brought to you by Diamond Kitchen & Bath. The nominees have been selected based on their outstanding performances in Arizona Interscholastic Association-sanctioned sports during the week of March 30 to April 4, 2026. Cast your vote for the top selection in each category. Voting will remain open until 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, with the winners announced the following day on azcentral.com and in The Republic on Saturday, April 11. If you would like to submit a weekly nominee, visit static.azcentral.com/sports/high-schools/nominations/ for more information.
Below are this week’s nominees, followed by the poll (scroll down on the poll to vote):
Girls
Makayla Armstrong, Maricopa, track and field, Senior:
She claimed victory in the triple jump at the 72nd annual Kiwanis Invite on April 2, achieving a distance of 37 feet, 11.25 inches, which now leads the state.Monica Verrett, Tucson Amphitheater, track and field, Senior:
She won the triple jump at the 11th annual Joe Brady Marana Invitational on April 3, with a leap of 37 feet, 6.75 inches, securing her second place in the state rankings.Lilly “Goose” Goodwin, Scottsdale Desert Mountain, softball, Senior:
She struck out 10 batters, allowed four hits, and did not give up an earned run in a 3-1 win over Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor on April 3. Additionally, she drove in a run at the plate.
Boys
Micah Newkirk, Chandler Valley Christian, track and field, Senior:
He ran a time of 1:52.47 in the 800 meters at the Oregon Relays on April 4, finishing fifth and moving up to second place in the state for the event. He also won his section of the 1,600 meters, running 4:15.89.Caleb Nold, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, track and field, Junior:
He took first place in the shot put at the O’Connor/Shadow Ridge/McClintock/Barry Goldwater Quad-meet on April 1, throwing 57 feet, which places him fourth in the state rankings.Diego Gomez, Nogales, baseball, Senior:
He had an impressive .727 batting average, going 8-11 in a 3-0 week, including two wins against Sierra Vista Buena and one against Tucson Cholla. He contributed three RBIs and scored two runs.
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