With the State Meet just 6 weeks away, it is time to highlight some of the athletes who can challenge for the KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championship. In this week's edition, we will focus on the Class 1A girls middle distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
Yeast, Pease, and Crain run the 400m at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field State Championships
The first athlete that can contend for the 400m outdoor championship this season is superstar Freshman Teigh Yeast. Yeast, from Mercer County, is Class 2A's one to watch over the coming years. Yeast finished 5th at the 2022 KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championships last season before posting the State's leading 400m time this season. Although she lacks the experience of some other athletes, she should be seen as the favorite to win her first State Title. The second athlete on this list who can challenge Yeast is Fleming County Sophomore, Kalynn Pease. Pease finished 6th in this event last season and is the third fastest returner. She currently has run the 5th fastest time outdoors this season but has the second fastest PR in the field making her one of Yeast's biggest challengers.
Closing out our list is Fatu Crain of Trigg County. The junior finished 10th in this event last season before breaking out this season. She has the 4th fastest time outdoors this season but has the much needed state experience to challenge for her first state championship.
Honorable Mentions
Amelia Monohan, Senior, Lexington Catholic
Nyla Railey, Junior, Waggener
Joanna Bryant, Freshman, Lexington Catholic
Ayla Lawrence, 7th Grade, John Hardin
800m
Beiting, Bastin, and Monohan run in the 800m at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field State Championships
Topping this list is a household name in the 2A ranks. Caroline Beiting of Lexington Catholic has been seen as one of the top middle distance runners in Class 2A her entire career winning the 1600m at last year's State Meet. Beiting also finished 3rd in this event last year, but has the fastest time in Class 2A this season. The sophomore's season best time is currently 5 seconds ahead of second this season making her the obvious choice to claim her second State Championship. Second on this list is another Superstar Freshman. Abby Bastin of Lincoln County won the 800m at the 2023 KTCCCA Class AA/AAA Indoor State Championships defeating the state's top returner from last season, Amelia Monohan. From there, Bastin has only continued the momentum by posting the 4th fastest outdoor time in 2A this season. She also doesn't lack the experience that most Freshman do as she finished 6th as an 8th grader at last season's meet. Combine all this, and you get an athlete primed to challenge Beiting for the 800m crown.
Third on this list is the aforementioned Amelia Monohan. The senior from Lexington Catholic finished second in this event at the State Meet last season defeating her teammate Caroline Beiting in the process. She also finished runner-up at Indoor State this season. Monohan is currently one of the only girls in Class 2A who can claim victory over Beiting making her a serious contender to win her first State Championship.
Honorable Mentions
Bethany Simpson, Junior, Bourbon County
Maddie Strong, Junior, Scott
Kylie Hernandez, Senior, Bourbon County
Alexis Dotson, Junior, Rockcastle County
300m Hurdles
Piazza, Murphy, and Simpson all compete in the 300m hurdles at the 2022 KHSAA State Track and Field Championships
Jumping into first on this list is Class 2A's premier hurdler, Jai Maria Piazza. Piazza finished 2nd in this event at the Outdoor State Championships last season, but is the fastest returner. Piazza won the 100m hurdles last year at the State Meet and continued that success by winning the 60m hurdles at the Indoor State Championships this season. Her current season best is a full three seconds over the next closest making her the overwhelming favorite to win her first 300m Hurdle championship. Second on our list is Caroline Murphy of Glasgow. The senior currently holds the 4th fastest time outdoors this season. However, she finished 5th in this race at last season's State Championship giving her quality experience in this event. Given that this will be her final State Championships, look for Murphy to give it her all and potentially challenge Piazza to claim her first ever State Championship.
Finally, third on our list is Bourbon County Junior, Bethany Simpson. At last season's Outdoor State Championships, Simpson finished in 8th place. This season, however, Simpson has dramatically improved running the second fastest time in 2A this season. As the only underclassman on this list, Simpson should be the favorite to win this event next year while also posing a serious threat to Piazza in the event this season.
Honorable Mentions
Kate Regard, Senior, Lexington Catholic
Emilea Moore, Junior, East Jessamine
Ava Hernandez, Freshman, Bourbon County
Angie Emery, 8th Grade, Calloway County