Here's a quick glimpse into this weekend's events for the girls.
Every year, there are a number of coaches who enter some pretty crazy marks, 2008 has begun the same way. There are a number of girls ranked highly in some events who I don't know about. Hopefully, they will prove to be for real this weekend.
Nyosha Bryant - last year at Harding, now at West Charlotte, is simply outstanding, the top returning sprinter in the state and one of the top in the country after 5th place finishes in the 100 & 200 at the Nike Outdoor Championships last spring
Jacinda Evans(Southern Durham)
Sheguyra Guy(West Charlotte)
Malai Walker(Charlotte Latin) - multiple times state champ in NCISAA 100 & 200
Christine Council(Parkland)
Cierra Frazier(Providenced)
Ashley Bethune – seeded 12th, obviously will finish much higher
Similar names in the 300m.
Nyosha Bryant(West Charlotte)
Jacinda Evans(Southern Durham)
Brandy Swann(Jacksonville) - a 58.50 PR, but 1st attempt at the 300
Mimi Morlu(Providence Day) - 56.03 400 PR, 1st time indoors
Christine Council(Parkland)
Malai Walker(Charlotte Latin)
Sheguyra Guy(West Charlotte)
Tiffany Downing(Millbrook)
Again, some familiar names, but now some 800m runners will try to mix it up with the sprinters.
Brandy Swann(Jacksonville) - 2:17 800m PR
Nyosha Bryant(West Charlotte)
Mimi Morlu(Providence Day)
Shannon Lee(Vance) - 58.20 400m PR
Amanda Jones(East Forsyth) - 1:20.64 500m PR, 2:17(800m), 58.26(400m)
Lea Anna Godwin(Triton) - 3:08 1000m PR
Danielle Hobbs(Sun Valley)
Amanda Lapp(SE Raleigh) - 3:02.45 1000m PR, will she be ready to challenge 3:00?
Maraya Slatter(West Johnston) - running very well, recent 3:07
Other SV girls? Amy Hofmann, Kayla Price
Kelly Montague(West Johnston)
*Jamie Van Tassel(Providence) - sleeper
Tara Wilson(South Caldwell) - PR of 5:20
Lilly Beamon(West Johnston) - the West Johnston girls are running very well right now, already running 9:52(4x800) in December
Kelly Montague(West Johnston)
Ashley Matthews(West Johnston)
Ryanna Henderson(Jacksonville)
Kristin Azarelo(Cary)
A number of good XC runners, but where does training have them right now?
Adrianne Soo(Durham Academy) - finished 11th at the Foot Locker South Regional, ran 10:56 prior to that race, should win this race easily, is this the start to a long track season? (including outdoors)
Lilly Beaman(West Johnston)
Kristen Azarelo(Cary)
Lauren Bishop(Pinecrest)
Terra Jackson(Freedom)
Kaitlyn Davis(Jacksonville)
Jenna Paley(Providence)
There are a lot of unknowns in this race. A number of names I don't recognize. Really looking forward to this!
Ashley Bethune(Harding) - 8.08 last season, one of the top times in the US last year
Sherice Walker(Cummings) - 8.16, also one of the top hurdlers in US last year
*Sophia Treakle(Asheville) - not seeded highly, but one of the top hurdlers in NC
Mimi Morlu(Providence Day) - will be a question mark, ran 61.9 in the 400mH, but can she sprint with the top guns?
This should be fun because just about all the girls are within about 2 inches of each other. If Jordan Lee can return to her 5-6 form, she should be the favorite.
Amy Wenner(Ragsdale) - 1A-3A state indoor champ last year, record of 5-4
January Spencer(Union Pines) - 5-2 PR
Joi Emmanuel(Harding) - 5-2 PR
Laquesha Hemphill(West Charlotte) - PR of 5-1.75
Jordan Lee(Cedar Ridge) - 5-06 at 2A outdoor state meet
This even also looks like it should be tight.
Taylor Cook(Watauga) - PR of 10-7
Karen Kazaglis(Green Hope) - PR of 10-6
Meredith Wilson(AC Reynolds) - PR of 10-00
Tori Rivers(Clayton) - best of 10-6
Ranae Nelson(Harding) - 19-00.50 best, looks ready to bust a big jump this year
Chrishawn Williams(SE Raleigh) - last year won the LJ & TJ at the 4A state indoor meet
Ashlynn Chavis(Scotland) - busted on the scene at Nike Outdoors with her 3rd place at Nike Outdoor Nationals, best is 19-02.75
Jacinda Evans(Southern Durham)
Sherice Walker(Cummings)
Jessica Morgan(Parkland)
Brittany Wilkins(Cummings) - best over 18'
Jacinda Evans(Southern Durham) - best jump of 40-04.25 came this summer, is the favorite heading in
Sherice Walker(Cummings) - PR of 39-03.75, just an overall excellent athlete
Chrishawn Williams(SE Raleigh)
Brittany Wilkins(Cummings)
Arielle Ratchford(Butler)
Kortney Williams(Cummings) - best just over 36'
Aslynn Halvorson(Butler) - the best returning "putter" in the state, best of 42-00.50
Deirdra Morrison(Wilkes Central) - best of 40-06.25, probably the only shot putter in the state who can challenge Halvorson