The state’s top female athletes will be in action this weekend at the 2015 GHSA girls track and field championships, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday in Albany. Here’s a preview:
Class 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 in 2006-2008. Rockdale County sophomore Candace Hill, one of the nation's best, will be looking to repeat as the 100- and 200-meter champion.
Favorites: Westlake, McEachern.
Athletes to watch: Hill, sophomore, Rockdale County (100, 200 meters); Aliyah Abrams, senior, Grayson (200, 400); Lindsey Billings, junior, Northview (1,600, 3,200); Hayden Myrick, senior, John's Creek (discus).
Class 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.
Athletes to watch: Hall, junior, Northside-Warner Robins (100, 200); Micaiah Ransby, junior, North Springs (200, 400); Lauren Jackson, junior, North Springs (400, 800); Kayla Alexander, freshman, Chapel Hill (100-meter hurdles); Marielle Lewis, junior, Kell (800, 1,600); Bria Matthews, senior, Forest Park (long jump, triple jump).
Class 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, also will be in the mix.
Favorites: Marist, Monroe, Baldwin.
Athletes to watch: Faust, senior, Marist (400, 800); Ilse, senior, Marist (1,600, 3,200); Daloria Boone, freshman, Baldwin County (long jump); Anna Hightower, senior, Cartersville (pole vault).
Class AAA
The skinny: Rockdale's Hill was the meet's breakout freshman last season, but AAA may have this year's rookie star in East Jackson's Sue Anne Moralis.
Favorites: Jackson-Atlanta, Westminster.
Athletes to watch: Moralis, freshman, East Jackson (800, 1,600); Tamdra Lawrence, senior, Westside-Macon (100, 200); Garielle Netter, junior, Jackson-Atlanta (100, 200); Courtney Jones, sophomore, Jackson-Atlanta (100-meter hurdles); Ansley Long, senior, Central-Carrollton (long jump).
Class 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 Academy may be the state's best all-around athlete.
Favorite: Lovett.
Athletes to watch: DeLoach, junior, St. Vincent's Academy (100, 200, long jump); Mahogany Walter, sophomore, Thomasville (100, 200); Serena Tripodi, sophomore, Lovett (1,600, 3,200); Danisha Jones, senior, Thomasville (shot put, discus).
Class A Private
The skinny: Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, led by sophomore sprinter D'aja Cameron, is seeking to repeat as champion, 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.
Favorites: ELCA, Athens Academy, Our Lady of Mercy.
Athletes to watch: Cameron, sophomore, ELCA (100, 200, triple jump); Dingler, sophomore, First Presbyterian Day (pole vault); Emma Grace Hurley, junior, Fellowship Christian (1,600, 3,200).
Class A Public
The skinny: Elite Scholars Academy of Morrow and Georgia Military College Prep of Milledgeville will battle for their program's first track championship. It would be the first state title of any kind for Elite Scholars.
Favorites: Elite Scholars, GMC.
Athletes to watch: Kita Aycock, senior, GMC (100, 200); Desiree Blunt, senior, Twiggs County (100, 200); Edrei Yates, junior, Elite Scholars (100, long jump, triple jump)
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