With the State Meet just 8 weeks away, it is time to highlight some of the athletes who can challenge for the State Championship. In this week's edition, we will focus on the Class A sprinters. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
100m/200m
Anthony Cole, Jackson Smith, and Grady Shay compete in the 200m at the 2022 KHSAA State Track and Field Championship
The first athlete to highlight is Model's Anthony Cole. The junior from Richmond, Ky is the fastest returner and the defending State Runner-up in the 100m and 200m. His time of 10.91 is also not far from the KHSAA record of 10.70. He also has the fastest 200m time returning and will be the favorite to take home both the 100m and 200m titles at this years KHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championship.
The second athlete over the 100m and 200m that could potentially win the title is Jackson Smith of Walton Verona. Smith placed 9th and 4th respectively in the 100m and 200m at last year's KHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championships but took home both the 60m and 200m indoor state titles at this years KTCCCA Class A Indoor State Championships. Fresh off of those victories, Smith looks primed and ready to challenge Cole for the 100m title.
The third athlete over 100m and 200m that could bring home gold is Grady Shay. The Senior from Walton Verona placed 7th and 8th in the 100m and 200m at last year's championships, however, he also placed 1st in the 110m hurdles and 3rd in the 300m hurdles. This strength could propel Shay to the overall victory and complete a potential STATE QUAD?
Honorable Mentions
Julien Veliquette, Sophomore, Louisville Collegiate
Luke Erdman, Sophomore, Beechwood
Christian Waugh, Senior, Raceland
Christian Seavers, Senior, Murray
Wyatt Shearer, 8th grade, Walton Verona
Christopher Hinds, Sophomore, Fort Knox
110mH
Grady Shay wins the 110m Hurdles at the 2022 KHSAA State Track and Field Championship
The first athlete who I believe can bring home the 110mH championship is a repeat from the above list. The defending outdoor state champion and indoor state champion tops our boys to watch list. Grady Shay, the Senior from Walton Verona, has been virtually unbeatable in the Class A ranks over the last year sweeping the outdoor and indoor state hurdle titles. His range over the 100m/200m/110mH/300mH makes him a unique athlete who could potentially pull off an unprecedented state quad at this year's meet.
The next athlete on the list who could present a major challenge to Shay is Sophomore Julien Veliquette of Louisville Collegiate. Like Shay, Veliquette has shown impressive range over the in his short career posting Top 5 Class A marks in the 100m/200m and 110mH. I am not sure if he has the gusto to take it from Shay this year, but Veliquette's future is bright and he will definitely be a factor in this race this year and in the years to come.
The final athlete on our list is Green County's Jake Bishop. The Junior finished runner-up to Shay at this year's Indoor 60mH state championship. He finished 8th at last years state championship in the 110mH and is poised to have a big Junior campaign. He's already gone 16.40 this year improving on his 16.49 form last spring. Running this fast this early could prove advantageous as he looks to add his first outdoor state medal to his collection.
Honorable Mentions
Mason Meyer, Senior, Bishop Brossart
Oliver Unger, Junior, Beechwood
Grayson Turner, Senior, Somerset
Bryan Maynard, Junior, Prestonsburg High School
Ethan Haubner, Sophomore, Bishop Brossart