With the State Meet just 7 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 2A sprinters. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
100/200m
Lexi Young places 3rd in the 100m at the 2022 KHSAA State Championship
The first athlete to highlight this list is the defending Class 2A indoor state 60m/200m champion, Lily Harper. The Sophomore from North Oldham tore up the indoor track this season posting top 5 marks in nearly every race she entered. She currently has the fastest 100m in 2A and owns the second fastest 200m time making her one of the favorites to bring home the gold at the KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championship.
The second athlete who can challenge for the State 100m and 200m title is Lexi Young of Mason County. The Freshman finished 4th and 6th in the 60m and 200m, respectively, at this year's KTCCCA AA/AAA Indoor State Championships. The Freshman performed well at last year's KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championships finishing in 3rd in both the 100m and 200m. She currently holds the second fastest 100m time and the third fastest 200m time this outdoor season. Given her prior state success, she is definitely going to challenge for the state titles in both the 100m and 200m this season and should be on everyone's radar in the coming year.
The third athlete who could challenge for the 100m/200m state titles this year is Lexington Catholic's Mary Martin Hampton. The Senior did not run in the indoor season focusing solely on her outdoor disciplines. Last year, she finished 13th and 14th respectively in the 100m and 200m, but she currently has the 4th fastest times in both the 100m and 200m this year and could be a dark horse this year.
The fourth athlete on this list is Jai Maria Piazza of Mercer County. The senior is only this low on the list because she is a hurdle specialist. However, she currently holds the fastest 2A time in the 200m this outdoor season and if she does choose to run this at the State Meet, there's a strong chance that she could bring home her first 200m State Title.
Honorable Mentions
Kalynn Pease, Sophomore, Fleming County
Teigh Yeast, Freshman, Mercer County
Mya Moore, 8th Grader, Elizabethtown
Fatu Crain, Junior, Trigg County
Ayla Lawrence, 7th Grader, John Hardin
100mH
Jai Maria Piazza wins the 100m hurdles at the 2022 KHSAA State Championship
Kicking off this list is the two-time defending Class 2A State Champion over the 100m Hurdles. As mentioned above, Jai Maria Piazza of Mercer County continues to dominate the 100m hurdles. She won the Class 2A indoor 60m hurdle championship and has the fastest outdoor time in Class 2A this season. If all goes chalk, the Senior could be looking at adding a third State Championship to her collection.
Second on this list is Caroline Murphy of Glasgow. The Senior finished 4th in the 100m hurdles at last year's Outdoor State Championship. Currently, the Senior has the 3rd fastest 100m hurdle time in 2A this year, but is undefeated on the season landing her in second on this list.
Finally, third on our list is Kate Regard of Lexington Catholic. The senior is new to the event as she has only run it 3 times in her career prior to this outdoor campaign. However, she does have the second fastest time in 2A this season and has shown great promise as the season has gone on. A high jumper by trade, Regard could surprise at this year's Track and Field State Championships and give Piazza a potential overlooked challenger.
Honorable Mentions
Erin Pease, Senior, Fleming County
Maddi Reed, Junior, Shelby County
Emilea Moore, Junior, East Jessamine
Emma Martin, Sophomore, Calloway County
Paige Phillips, Junior, Harlan County