Posted: Jun 08, 2023

Aztecs Men's Track record-breaking sprinter Orion Barger commits to Weber State University

Aztecs Men's Track & Field sprinter Orion Barger (Canyon del Oro HS) committed to Weber State University in Ogden, UT. He was an NJCAA All-American with his second place finish in the 600 meters at Indoor Nationals and set school records in the 400 meters and the 4x400 relay during his Pima career. Photo by Raymond Suarez

Pima Community College track & field athlete Orion Barger (Canyon del Oro HS) has decided to continue his education and collegiate career at the NCAA Division I level.

Barger, a sophomore sprinter, committed to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. The Wildcats compete in the Big Sky Conference.
Barger took second place and earned NJCAA All-American honors in the 600-meter race with a time of 1:18.10 at this year's Indoor Nationals. His time also broke the Pima indoor school record.
He once held the Pima indoor school record in the 400 meters with a time of 47.87 but it was later broken by Pima, and now Weber State University teammate Tristan Spalding, who holds the record at 47.83.
Barger is third in Pima history with a time of 47.42 in the 400 meters for the Outdoor Season. It was the fastest time since Juan Duarte's time of 47.09 set in 2001.
Barger also left in mark in the 4x400 relay. Barger, along with Spalding, Nathan Plant and Broden Cahoon broke the Pima indoor school record on Jan. 28 at the Paradise Valley CC Indoor Meet with a time of 3:15.47. They produced a season-best time of 3:14.71 at Outdoor Nationals, which put them at No. 3 in Pima school history.
Barger was named All-ACCAC and All-Region in the 400 meters and the 4x400 meter relay during his career.