Nov 29, 2011

NOTE: in the database and in the calendar, this is the 2012 Indoor Track season.

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2012 Indoor Season 4A Girls Preview

Distance

2011 was a banner year for girls' distance running in North Carolina, and 2012 seems to hold the promise of even more great performances. Consider what we see returning from last winter's state meet: the top four performers in the 1000 are back, as are four of the top five runners in the 1600. When you consider the gains made by nearly all of those runners, and others, during the fall cross country season, this has the potential to be a record-breaking year in girls' distance. The 4A classification, in particular, is stacked with premier female distance runners, although the best one did not compete during the winter last year. Athletes to watch, in no particular order:

Jennie Cunningham (Pinecrest):

State champ in the 1000, ran 2:14 at New Balance Indoor Nationals, improved her 5K PR this fall

Maura McDonnell (Green Hope):

2nd in the 1000 last year, strong improvement during cross country

Sophie Capshaw-Mack (Reagan):

3rd in the 1000 last year, healthy after sophomore year derailed by injuries, has natural speed to burn

Lauren Colberg (Green Hope):

State champ in the 1600, improved to 5:06 in the spring, broke 18 for 5K this fall

Brooke Gordon (TC Roberson):

5:12 and 11:23 last winter, improved to 5:00 and 11:03 in the spring, also sub-18 for 5K

Darby Middlebrook (Watauga):

2nd in the 3200 last year, PR's of 5:00, 10:49, 17:35

Sammy George (Millbrook):

Did not compete last winter, already ran 10:42 for 3200 this fall to go with 17:15 5K, has 4:52 PR for 1600

Anna McBride (Davie):

Healthy this year, 10:46 last spring, ran 11:11 and 17:51 this fall, could develop into elite miler this year

Kaitlyn Kramer (Ardrey Kell):

Already ran 10:58 for 3200 this fall, 17:48 for 5K, 5:01 miler last spring

Sydney Foreman (Ardrey Kell):

Already ran 11:00 for 3200 this fall, 17:50 for 5K, headed to Nike Cross Nationals this weekend

Sprints/Hurdles

Once again, North Carolina has a strong crop of speedsters that can compete on the national stage. Two NC sprinters hold returning times that place them in the top 10 in the nation, while a group of emerging hurdlers looks to maintain the success the Tar Heel State has had in that event in the past. Athletes in these events definitely benefit from racing indoors, as cold muscles do not perform nearly as well, and so having indoor facilities open this year should make for some big improvements across the board. Athletes to watch, in no particular order:

Ariah Graham (Wakefield):

State champ in the 300, US #3 returner in both the 300 and 400, NBIN finalist (also US #19 returner in LJ)

Gabrielle Gray (High Point Central):

Top NC returner and US #11 in the 55, 4A outdoor champ at the 100, also strong at 200

Tiana Patillo (Wakefield):

2nd in the 300 and 3rd in the 500 last year, top NC returner in the 500, outdoor time would be US #6 if run indoors

Mollie Williams (Clayton):

State champ in the 55 hurdles, US #20 returner for 60 hurdles

Olicia Sharp (Wakefield):

State champ in the 55 dash, third in the 300 last year, versatile sprinter

Madison Rayfield (East Forsyth):

PR of 7.16 in the 55 dash is US #19 returning time, all-around great athlete with multiple events

Field Events

North Carolina is also home to some of the best jumpers in the state, whether they jump vertically (high jump and pole vault) or horizontally (long jump and triple jump). The shot put, however, looks like a wide-open event this year; there are no top-flight returners from the winter season in the 4A classification, although there are plenty that only competed in the spring. Like sprinters, field event athletes do better inside during the winter, and sometimes high jumpers and vaulters do better indoors than their spring performances. So, when you combine the fact that we now have two indoor facilities with the talent in our state, this is shaping up to be an exciting season for fans of the sport. Athletes to watch, in no particular order: