Girls Throws Preview
Class A Shot Put – It seems like the Northern Kentucky region will dominate this year as they are sending another slew of competitors to the state meet. Coming out on top is Bishop Brossart’s Allison Bryan. Right behind her are fellow region competitors Alyse Slater of Bellevue and Newport Central Catholic’s Anne Gruesnschlaeger. Although these three top the list, anyone could come away with the gold.
Class A Discus – This year it seems that a familiar name will lead the way for the girl’s discus. Aryn Howland of Bellevue is no stranger to state meet competition and leads the way. She is closely followed by Fulton County’s Deanna Dean and Nicholas County freshman Megan Hunter, who is last year’s Middle School State Champion. Also, appearing will be Allison Bryan who will be trying for the double.
Class AA Shot Put – No surprises in this event as Russell’s Chinwe Okoro has had an impressive high school career. She set the AA state record her freshman year and has been fairly consistent ever since. It was broken last year by Paducah Tilghman’s Pam Bell, but she and Webster County’s Lindi Berry have moved on. You could look for Chinwe to reclaim the state record while taking the gold. Behind her, hoping for an upset, are Warren East’s Tasha Roberson and Mercer County’s Kalee Phelps. You can bet that they will have their hands full as they try to topple the very athletic Chinwe Okoro.
Class AA Discus – She’s just not a shot putter but can also toss a discus. Chinwe will be looking for the double this weekend and should fair pretty well in finding it. Just as in the shot, she stands alone at #1. Behind her will be the duo from Mercy County, Loran Crowell and Samantha Bartleson. Also in the mix will be Mercy’s Jessica Paulin and Russell County’s Nathalie Rosado.
Class AAA Shot Put – This competition could be a battle. On top this year is last year’s state runner-up, Owensboro’s Amashi Kendall. She put on an impressive campaign last year as a freshman and looks to continue her campaign this year by taking the gold. This will be a girl to watch in the future. Right behind her is a girl who has been here before and that is Grayson County’s Jayme Blessitt. She has competed well every year and is looking to come out on top her last year. Her teammate Courtney Hodge also looks fairly well. Let’s not forget about another force in Dupont Manual’s LaShelle Pitney, last year’s State Champion. She was the noted underdog last year and looks to in the same position this year.
Class AAA Discus – The sophomore phenomenon Amashi Kendall will be looking to grasp the double this year as she is also the top contender in this event. She is followed by North Hardin’s Stacie Vaughn and the Harrison County force Cherisha Wells. Also appearing in the discus will be LaShelle Pitney. Although Amashi seems to have the grasp on this event, you never know what will happen.
Good Luck to all competitors