With the State Meet just 5 weeks away, it is time to highlight some of the athletes who can challenge for the KHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championship. In this week's edition, we will focus on the Class 1A distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
The beauty of the distance events and Class 1A is that the depth is relatively small, therefore, these four individuals are who we are highlighting to contend to win the 1600m and 3200m at the State Meet this season.
1600m and 3200m
Haley Schoenegge wins the 3200m at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field Championships
The athlete at the top of our list is the defending State Champion over the 3200m, Haley Schoenegge of Kentucky Country Day. The Vassar College commit has yet to run a 3200m this season, but has Class 1A's second fastest 1600m time. Should Schoenegge attempt the 1600m/3200m double at the 2023 KHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championships, she will be a contender to win both events adding more State Championships to her resume.Schoenegge's top challenger this season burst onto the scene this Cross Country season where she finished runner-up at the KHSAA Cross Country State Championship. Lily Parke, a Freshman from Beechwood, has been dominating on the track this season where she finished first in the 1500m at the KTCCCA Class 1A Indoor State Championships. She has followed this up with Class 1A leading times in both the 1600m and 3200m this season. Should Schoenegge slip up, Parke will be right there to claim her first Outdoor State Championship.
Third on this list is Kinley Kunkel. The Senior from Trimble County has been rolling on the track this season winning the 3000m State Championship Indoors. She also placed top 5 in the 1500m this season as well. Kunkel is more of a 3200m runner and that is where we think she can be deadly. She has the second fastest 3200m time in Class 2A this season and may specialize there at the State Meet. If she does, she will challenge for her first State Championship.
Honorable Mentions
Annie Sewell, Freshman, Lexington Christian
Amy Klocke, Senior, Bishop Brossart
Annalise Randles, Freshman, Lexington Christian
Weslyn McIntosh, Senior, Lee County