Let's kick off this Saturday session with some analysis of the NCHSAA 2A State Championship. Just like the other divisions, we've got some impressive competitors entered across the board. From national-caliber runners to state meet record watches, this 2A session promises to bring excitement.
Girls' Long Jump
With three girls jumping very similar marks this season, this event is going to be interesting. Alessia Addo is the top seeded girl in this event after her big personal best of 17-09.25 at the 2A West Regional. Previously, Addo had not jumped over 16-05, meaning she jumped more than a foot over her previous best to qualify for this meet.
Avariah Bryant and Janiyah Maxwell also jumped career highs to qualify for this state championship. Bryant's personal best of 17-09 came from the 2A East Regional while Maxwell took the 2A Midwest Regional.
At the bottom of the entries you'll see Cumming's freshman Kaili Payne who will be a factor as well. Payne has jumped 18-3 this season and is ranked third in 2A on the season. Top 2A girl is D'Anna Cotton who will not contest the LJ and do the High Jump, Triple Jump, 100mH and 300mH as the junior looks to win 4 individual titles once again.
Boys' 4x200 Meter Relay
This boy's sprint relay might be the most highly contested race of the session. Four teams are coming off of 1:28 performances from their respective regional meets, meaning this race could come down to the milliseconds.
West Stanly leads the four teams with their regional mark of 1:28.32, thanks in part to their leading man, Jonathon Moran. Goldsboro, Kinston, and Monroe round out the teams under 1:29 for this division. All teams and their projected lineups appear to be an even match, making it hard to guess a winner.
Girls' 1600 Meter Run
We've got a clear front runner here in this girls' 1600-meter field. Catherine Parker comes into this race fresh off her 5:02 1600-meter and 10:51 3200-meter personal bests. While Parker is certainly the favorite, several other girls have the potential to threaten Parker for the state title.
Maya Little brings the second-best resume (on paper) to the line with her 2:15 800-meter and 5:08 1600-meter personal bests. These two certainly stand out on paper, but let's take a look at some of their competitors. Elisabeth Sawdy, Ava Redies, and Kelsey Burleson round out the top five 1600-meter runners in the 2A division.
Boys' 800-Meter Run
Just like the girl's distance event earlier, there is one clear front runner in Will Cuicchi. Not only is he a standout on the state level, but he owns a US #4 time in this event with his 800-meter mark of 1:49 from the Carolina Distance Carnival.
Cuicchi has run seven seconds faster than any of his counterparts in this boys 2A division. Yes, you read that correctly, seven seconds. Now, all things aside, these two other boys are certainly no slouches with their 1:56 personal bests. Leo Murray and Jeremiah Jones will certainly be vying for that state title along with Cuicchi.
Girls' 100 Meter Dash
Leading this girl's 100-meter dash is Serenity Harvey in an 11.82 effort. However, she has run decently faster this season, with her overall personal best of 11.60 in the event. Harvey also leads all state qualifiers in the 200-meter dash, showing she is an all-around sprint ace.
Harvey's closest competitor looks to be Cassidee Fraser with her 11.62 personal best. However, Fraser has "only" 11.72 this season, but that time is certainly nothing to look over. Fraser is also a freshman, making this her first outdoor state championships, which could play a role in how her race plays out.
Boys' 200 Meter Dash
The reigning state champion in this 200-meter dash is Ja'Neil Harris, who will look to defend his title on Saturday. At last year's edition of the state championship, Harris broke the state meet record with his 21.12 performance. Harris has run faster this season, with a solid 20.77 personal best, and will be hungry for another state title.
Right on Harris's heels is Jaylyn Smith with his 21.74 personal best from the Panther Invitational. Another boys to keep an eye on are Rahkeem Faison, Michael Sifford, and Alexandro Innocent.
