The state's top female athletes will be in action this weekend at the 2015 Georgia High School Association Girls Track and Field Championships, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday in Albany. Here's a preview.
AAAAAA
The skinny: Westlake is attempting to become the first three-time champion in the state’s largest classification since Collins Hill three-peated in Class AAAAA, 2006-2008. Rockdale County sophomore Candace Hill, one of the nation’s best, will look to repeat as the 100- and 200- meter champion.
Favorites: Westlake and McEachern
Other teams to watch: Grayson, Marietta, Rockdale County, Campbell
Athletes to watch: Candace Hill, Soph., Rockdale County (100, 200 meters); Aliyah Abrams, Sr., Grayson (200, 400 meters); Lindsey Billings, Jr., Northview (1,600, 3,200 meters); Hayden Myrick, Sr., John's Creek (discus)
AAAAA
The skinny: Led by a strong class of juniors, North Springs is in position to win the north Fulton County school’s first state championship. Northside-Warner Robins junior Cassondra Hall is a favorite to win the Most Outstanding Performer award.
Favorites: North Springs, Kell, Forest Park
Other teams to watch: Northside-Warner Robins, Shaw, Starrr’s Mill
Athletes to watch: Cassondra Hall, Jr., Northside-Warner Robins (100, 200); Micaiah Ransby, Jr., North Springs (200, 400); Lauren Jackson, Jr., North Springs (400, 800); Kayla Alexander, Fr., Chapel Hill (100-meter hurdles); Marielle Lewis, Jr., Kell (800, 1,600); Bria Matthews, Sr., Forest Park (Long jump, Triple jump)
AAAA
The skinny: Led by seniors Caitie Faust and Morgan Ilse, Marist will go for the three-peat, while seven-time champion Monroe, running on its home track, will be in the mix as well.
Favorites: Marist, Monroe, Baldwin
Other teams to watch: Redan, Fayette County
Athletes to watch: Caitie Faust, Sr., Marist (400, 800); Morgan Ilse, Sr., Marist (1,600, 3,200); Daloria Boone, Fr., Baldwin County (Long jump); Anna Hightower, Sr., Cartersville (Pole vault)
A AA
The skinny: Rockdale's Hill was the meet's breakout freshman last season, but Class AAA may have this year's rookie star in East Jackson's Sue Anne Moralis.
Favorites: Jackson-Atlanta, Westminster
Other teams to watch: Blessed Trinity, Westside-Macon, East Jackson, Decatur
Athletes to watch: Sue Anne Moralis, Fr., East Jackson (800, 1,600); Tamdra Lawrence, Sr., Westside-Macon (100, 200); Garielle Netter, Jr., Jackson-Atlanta (100, 200); Courtney Jones, So., Jackson-Atlanta (100-meter hurdles); Ansley Long, Sr., Central-Carrollton (Long jump)
AA
The skinny: A deep, talented and young Lovett team, led by senior hurdler Khadejah Jackson, is the heavy favorite to win its second consecutive state title. Taylor DeLoach of Savannah’s St. Vincent's Academy may be the state’s best all-around athlete.
Favorite: Lovett
Other teams to watch: Thomasville, Greater Atlanta Christian, Wesleyan, Holy Innocents’
Athletes to watch: Taylor DeLoach, Jr., St. Vincent’s Academy (100, 200, Long jump); Mahogany Walter, Soph., Thomasville (100, 200); Serena Tripodi, Soph., Lovett (1,600, 3,200); Danisha Jones, Sr., Thomasville (Shot put, Discus)
A Private
The skinny: Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, led by sophomore sprinter D'aja Cameron, will look to repeat as champions, while sophomore Carson Dingler of First Presbyterian Day of Macon will look to solidify her position as one of the nation's top pole vaulters.
Favorite: ELCA, Athens Academy, Our Lady of Mercy
Other teams to watch: Landmark Christian, Walker, Fellowship Christian
Athletes to watch: D'aja Cameron, Soph., ELCA (100, 200; Triple jump); Carson Dingler, Soph., FPD (Pole vault); Emma Grace Hurley, Jr., Fellowship Christian (1,600, 3,200)
A Public
The skinny: Elite Scholars Academy of Morrow and Georgia Military College Prep of Milledgeville will battle for their programs' first track championship. It would be the first state championship of any kind for Elite Scholars.
Favorites: Elite Scholars, GMC
Other teams to watch: Terrell County, Commerce, Portal
Athletes to watch: Kita Aycock, Sr., GMC (100, 200); Desiree Blunt, Sr., Twiggs County (100, 200); Edrei Yates, Jr., Elite Scholars (100, Long jump, Triple jump)
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