Despite the 2014 season just being over for a few days, MileStat is already making bold predictions for the 2015 outdoor season. Check out who are the favorites for next year's awards.
Athlete of The Year
Western Branch (2016)
Despite not even being named for an award this past season, MileStat has a strong feeling that Faith Ross will emerge next year as the best athlete in the state. Faith, who was only a sophomore this outdoor season, already has proven she has the talent to be the most versatile athlete in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Faith finished the season ranked 5th in the 800 at 2:11.51, 7th in the high jump at 5-6, and 1st in the 300m hurdles at 42.98. Those events are all on top of her part in the 4x400 and 4x800 relays which both are the fastest in Virginia history. With this type of versatility and the potential to lead the state in three different events, she is definitely a strong contender for athlete of the year.
Runner of The Year
Nansemond River (2016)
After a stellar sophomore campaign and being named the sprinter of the year, Brandee' is a solid selection for next year's runner of the year award. Brandee' who will have some very tough competition from Carolyn Brown, will still enter the outdoor season as one of the favorites in nearly any event she choses to run. Brandee' has the ability and speed to score at any level in the state in the 100, 200, 400, 100m hurdles, and 300m hurdles.
Field Event Athlete/Jumper of The Year
Henrico (2015)
LaChyna may not win the most jumps but she definitely is situated well to come close to breaking all sorts of triple jumping records this upcoming season. She went an amazing 40-7 already this season. If she continues to improve like she has then she could make a legitimate shot at breaking the state record of 42-9.5. She will also be one of the top seeds in the long jump for the 5A Classification.
Sprinter of The Year
Phoebus (2015)
Carolyn would be unstoppable if she did not have the other best sprinter in her 4A region with Brandee' Johnson. Both of these girls are the best sprinters, and could go down as the two best in the 100-200 all-time in the state of Virginia. Carolyn's better event is the 100m dash but she can definitely compete and win against anyone in the 200 as well. In fact, both Carolyn and Brandee' were All-American at New Balance Nationals this year. Carolyn though will be hungrier more then ever to correct last year's mistakes of false starting and show how she is the best in the state.
Distance Runner of The Year
Blacksburg (2015)
With Caroline Alcorta running it was sometimes hard to remember the depth of Virginia distance this past season. We may have the same problem this year just at Blacksburg High School. Bonnie Angermeier will be leading a group of girls that could challenege any team in the entire state for bragging rights as the best distance group. Bonnie will enter next season as the likely favorite to win both the 1600 and 3200m runs... her toughest competition will likely come from her teammate Jen Fleming.
Vaulter of The Year
Lafayette (2015)
With a junior season personal best of 12-3, Kathryn is in great position to make some big things happen in her season campaign. She was the VHSL Group 3A champion in the pole vault and almost more impressively, the Southern Track Classic champion as well. She won another state title during the indoor season as well which means she is in great position to dominate not only the 3A classification but the state as a whole next year.
Thrower of The Year
Nansemond River (2015)
With a personal best of 149-10 in the discus and 45-0.25 in the shot put, Zakiya is positioned well to not only win two state titles next year but to lead the entire state in both events. She finished this season leading in the discus and ranked third in the shot put behind two seniors. She was the 4A shot put champion and NBON emerging elite champion in the shot put. She is also up there with Faith Ross as one of, if not the, most versatile athletes in the entire state. She is obviously great at the throws but is also a superb hurdler and was actually a member of the all-american finishing Nansemond River shuttle hurdle relay team.
Hurdler of The Year
Western Branch (2015)
Funlayo, the 6A 100m hurdle champion this year, will look to do it again this coming season in the 100m hurdles. She had a season best time of 13.79, only a 1.01 second improvement from last year's and her personal best coming into the season. If we see this type, or anything close to it, improvement this coming year then she will be not only in contention to win another state title but also a national title and maybe state record. The best thing she has going for her in this challenge is that she has five of the ten best hurdlers practicing against her everyday at Western Branch which should no doubt push her as far as she can go.