Girls Sprints
55m Dash
Parkland, as usual, has some fire power in the sprint events. In the 55, Alexis Patterson and Del'Nique Penn are the top two seeds and could nab the Mustangs 18 points. Penn won the title at last year's state meet, and Patterson is having an awesome season after finishing two spots outside of the cut in the prelims a season ago. Ija Mumford will join her teammates as a contender for points. No one in the top five of last year's final graduated, and Alyson Davis (Northern Guilford), Jordan Sales (J.H. Rose), Jordyn Case (Weddington) and Naelee Stone (Cleveland) all look to be in form to do it again. Zariyah Black (eastern Guilford), Tracey Manigault (Cox Mill) round out the top group that will be vying for a spot in the finals.
500m Dash
Last year's champion Megan Marvin isn't entered in this event, she'll eye the 1000m crown, which opens up the door for a new champion. Alyssa Hernandez has almost two seconds on the next fastest runner in this event, Alysia Johnson, and almost another full second on the third seed Ariana Daley. Mackenzie Townsend (Cuthbertson), Emmaya Waters (Hillside) and Emily Bowbliss (Union Pines) have all clocked sub 1:20 times this season and will be in the hunt for a top-three finish.
300m Dash
Patterson and Penn from Parkland will also feature prominently in this race, and are joined as top five seeds by teammate Diamond Lyerly. Northern Guilford will also look to pick up important points here, with both Alyson Davis and Alyssa Hernandez within striking distance of the podium as top-eight seeds. Alysia Johnson of Hillside has the best shot at challenging Patterson for the title, as she has zipped to a 39.92, well over a second better than the next best seeded runner. Tracey Manigault and Jordan Sales round out a packed group from the 3-8 seeds. Sales was the state champ in the event last year, but will have a tough battle to keep the crown.
55m Hurdles