The girls 2018 state meet is heating up to be one of the best any of us have seen in a while. Very few events look to have a major favorite and with the hot weather rolling in and hanging around, we could end up seeing some major shakeups in the winners.
Distance Looks to Dazzle:
Earlier in the season the girl who looked to be the star of the show in the distance events, Emma Wilson, may no longer be able to 100% steal the show. Many other distance girls have stepped up to the plate this year and look to give her a real challenge come Friday night. We will get to see talents like Phoebe Bates (Carmel), Sophia Rigg (Zionsville), Kat Modrall (Brebeuf) and Margo Hornocker (Oak Hill) in the 1600 challenge the defending champ. In the 3200, there will be less challengers but still a fierce competition. Meagan Hathaway and Abby Green (FW Carroll) have improved majorly this year and especially in the post season here. Annalyssa Crain (Edgewood), just a freshman, could be a contender for at least a podium finish. Tyler Schwartz (Dekalb), has not raced as fast as she was last year but is easily a top 9 contender. Bates is doubling just like the defending champ and comes in with the closest seed time to Wilson. The 800 may be one of the more exciting events of the night. Two relative newbies to the scene of TF, Elizabeth Stanhope (Pike) and Abby Lynch (Brownsburg) come in as the top 2 mid-distance girls this year and will surely put on a show. Kat Modrall, Katerina Shuble (LaPorte), and Lauren Rinehart (Brownsburg) all look to have top finishes.
Sprinters looking for a chance to Shine:
So far this season only 4 girls have dipped under that 12 second mark in the 100, and all of them have done so in the post-season here. At the end of the indoor season, Semira Killebrew (Brebeuf) called this the year of the 200 for her, but it looks more like the year of the 100 and 200 for her. She is undefeated in both events and should hopefully be able to continue that streak come Friday night. Camille Christopher (Hamilton Southeastern), Tionna Brown (Kokomo) Kiyah Yeast (Center Grove) and Paishence Johnson (Mishawaka) look like they could all stay under that 12 second mark and possible go faster come the finals. If it's truly the year of the 200, this should be where we see Killebrew shine. But it may not be a super easy race for her, like many other races have looked this year. Christopher will be back with here, along with Skylynn Blue (North Central), Tionna Brown (Kokomo), Alyssa Robinson (North Central), and MIC stud Mikeisha Covington (Warren Central). The 400 has not been as strong this year, but the competition has stayed close. Covington looks to be the favorite to win this event, coming in with the best time so far this season with a 55.46, which she ran at regionals. Iyanla Hunter (Perry Meridian), Lauren Thomas (West Lafayette), and Tierra Sydnor (HSE) could boast top times as well.
Hurdlers ready to put on a show:
If you haven't heard of Nakita Turner-Lee, where have you been all season? She is the only girl to drop below 14 seconds this year in the 100m Hurdles. She set a US #26 time with her 13.86 performance at the regionals last week. De'Aira Robertson (Lawrence Central), Destiny Washington (Lake Central), Kennedy Batts (Warren Central), and Haley Goines (Center Grove) look like the 4 battling it out for the 2-5 spots. The 300 Hurdles look to be wide open and anyone's grab for the first place medal. Hannah Rapp (Yorktown) has the best time so far this season, dipping into the 43 second range. Five girls come into the meet with a seed time in that 44 second range. De'Aira Robertson (Lawrence Central), Mia Mackenzie (HSE), Payton Waling (Tri-West Hendricks), Beth Barnes (Chatard), and Kayla Brady (Laf Central Catholic) all come in with those 44 second seed marks, and could easily put on a show in that 3rd heat.
Relays always rock:
Brownsburg and the 4x800 relay seem to just work perfectly together this year and with every single runner on the current squad returning next year, they should only improve. These girls dropped a 9:13.56 at regionals. Not far behind them sits West Lafayette. When you think of anything distance, Carmel's girls should always be on that list. The toss up will be if they use Phoebe Bates in the 4x8 or let her stay fresh for her 32/16 double later in the night. Brebeuf has vastly improved all season, and could be a contender for a top 8 finish, along with Lawrence North, LaPorte, Noblesville and Bloomington South.
The 4x100 may be the closest event of the night, coming down to that final leg speed and lean. Lawrence Central, HSE, North Central, Center Grove, Brebeuf, and Fishers all are easily in the running to snag a good amount of points for their team.
Every team in the 3rd heat of the 4x400 is under 4 minutes, making this event to possibly decide who wins that team trophy. Six teams in the heat of 9 have gone 3:53 this season, making this just as tight of a race as the 4x100 possibly. North Central, Perry Meridian, Lawrence North, Lawrence Central, West Lafayette, and Warren Central (in heat 2) all have gone 3:53. The win will likely go to a team in heat 3 since the competition will be much closer there helping to push everyone a little more than before.
Field Events should impress all:
Last year the boys field events shined, but it looks like this year the girls will get the big moment all across the board. With big competition in nearly every field event, you will want to get to the complex early on Friday to see these girls do what they do best. In the event that takes place closest to the stands, long jump. Prommyse Hoosier (Warren Central) jumped a crazy good 19'11" at regionals last week, and hopefully will pull that out again tomorrow. Claire Pittman (SB Washinton), Haley Goines (Center Grove) and Jai-Lyn Norwood (Lawrence Central) could all be contenders as well for a top spot.
Sophomore Haley Nichols (Avon) has been on fire this season in the discus. Simi Akinrinsola (Ben Davis) may be in flight 3 but her season has been stellar so far and she could put up a big enough toss to snag a top spot. We will also see the likes of Sadie Hill (Perry Meridian), Ashley Weatherly (West Lafayette), and Cassandra Evans (Franklin Central).
In maybe one of the closest field events, the pole vault, the competition is stacked. We've seen 6 girls over 12ft this season so far. So this event could still be going on by the time the 3200 is racing in the track. The pair from HSE Kennedy Drish and Jessica Bray come in with the top seeds and have both been consistent over that 12ft mark all season and going higher at nearly every meet. Someone who usually competes right there with them, Kara Deady (Carmel) had an off night at regionals but should bounce back tomorrow night. Maria Siciliano (West Laf), Madison Rigg (Lake Central), Brittany Clark (Valparaiso), and Megan Young (Ritter) all will be in the hunt to go higher than before to earn one of those top podium spots.
Oh the girls high jump. There's one girl who seems to stand above the rest when you think of this event, Katie Isenbarger (Zionsville). She currently holds that coveted US #1 mark at 6'1" from the beginning of May. She has been consistent most of the season at a height just below that and hopefully is ready to match that height or possibly go higher. The US #3 mark is also held by a fellow HCC competitor Shelby Tyler (Noblesville) has cleared 6ft this year and will look to beat the senior. Khera Goss (Ben Davis), Addie Wanner (South Adams), Isabella Jackson (Whiteland) will also look to best their bests and make it into a top 3 spot.
Following the discus, the shot put will take place not long after and we will see many of the same athletes competing. Alicia Tiney-Williams (FW Northrop) comes in as probably the clear favorite in this event. Especially considering she will come in fresh after not competing in the discus. Ashley Weatherly, Megan Lambrecht (Bedford North), Simi Akinrinsola and Madison Ochs (Valparaiso) all will be the next competitors to watch here.