With the State Meet just 5 weeks away, it is time to highlight some of the athletes who can challenge for the KHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championship. In this week's edition, we will focus on the Class 3A middle distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
400m
Gracie Hoskins and Alexandra Allen run the 400m at the 2022 Track and Field Championships
Of all the races in the State this season, this event proves to be the largest tossup due to questions about who will actually contest this event. That being said, here is our list.The first athlete on this list is the second fastest returner from the 2022 KHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championship, Gracie Hoskins. The Freshman from South Laurel finished 4th in this event at the State Meet last season as only an 8th grader. While this was an impressive feat, she has only continued that dominance into this season running a 3A leading 57.90. She should contest for her first State Championship this season and remain a factor in this event for the next four years.
Second on this list is runner-up from the KTCCCA AA/AAA Indoor State Championships in the 800m, Anna Drexel. The Senior from Greenwood did not make this event at the State Meet last year, however, she has been on a tear since the indoor season. She is undefeated across all distances this season and has the fourth fastest time in 3A this season making her a major contender to win her first State Championship.
The final athlete to make our list is a rather controversial one since she has yet to run a 400m outdoors this season. Alexandra Allen from Dupont Manual is defending State Champion in this event from her impressive State Quad at last year's championships. She also defeated Drexel and claimed a 400m title at the Indoor State Championships this year. While this is impressive, she has not contended this event so far this outdoor season, however, if she is in the field, she will be one of the favorites to bring home the State Championship.
Honorable Mentions
Jordin Noah, Sophomore, Fern Creek
Raven Payne, Senior, Eastern
Alyssa Hughes, Junior, Male
800m
Emma Kendall wins the 800m at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field Championships
The first athlete making this list is Emma Kendall. The Sophomore from Collins is the defending State Champion in this event from last year's State Championship and has run very fast this outdoor season. She has the third fastest time in Class 3A this season, however, this is only .4 off the fastest time in the state this season and the two athletes in front of her have not run this event at a State Championship making her one of the favorites to defend her Championship.Second on this list is Tennessee commit, Jessica Secor of Dupont Manual. Secor has been a household name ever since she was a Freshman, however, she has been overshadowed by the dominance displayed by Ciara O'Shea and Tula Fawbush. That could end this year as Secor has shown a renaissance in her form posting the fastest 800m time in the state this season and posting an impressive 4:56 mile already this season. She is very much a threat to win this event if she chooses to contest it at State this season and add an elusive State Championship to her incredible resume.
The final athlete on this list is North Carolina commit, Ciara O'Shea. The Senior from Madison Central has been the face of Girls distance running in Kentucky since she was an 8th grader. She holds State records in the 1600, 3200, and 5000, and yet still showcases the ability to speed it up in the 800m. While she has an impressive resume, she has never won an 800m State Championship, nor ever ran the event at the State Meet. If she does run this event though, she will without a doubt be a major threat to add another State Championship to her resume.
Honorable Mentions
Reagan Gilmore, Junior, Assumption
Tula Fawbush, Junior, Oldham County
Addison Moore, Freshman, Woodford County
Morgan Kobylinski, Sophomore, Ohio County
300m Hurdles
Doyle, Antoni, and Allen compete in the 300m hurdles at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field Championships
Unlike the first two lists, picking the frontrunner in this event is rather easy comparatively. Aly Doyle from West Jessamine has been one of if not the best hurdler in the State for the last two years. As a Freshman, Doyle won the 300m hurdle event at last year's state championship. This season, the now Sophomore has been unstoppable winning every hurdle race she has entered while also posting the Class 3A's fastest time. If she hits her top form, Doyle will be the favorite to repeat as State Champion.Should Doyle slip up at any point, there are a few athletes who could contend and defeat her. The largest of which is Paul Laurence Dunbar Junior, Keira Antoni. Antoni has been right behind Doyle over the past two seasons culminating in her runner-up finish at State last season. However, Antoni has responded well since this defeat winning 3 of her 4 hurdle races this season. Her only defeat was to Doyle at Eastern Relays, nonetheless, Antoni should be able to challenge for her first State Championship at this year's State Championships.
Finally, the third athlete on our list who could contend for the State Championship in the 300m hurdles is Eastern Senior Aliyah Allen. Unlike the first two, Allen is in unfamiliar territory here. She finished 7th in the State Meet last season in this event and hasn't posted a top three finish at State her whole career. That being said, Allen has been amazing this season winning the Johnny Conn Invitational and posting the third fastest time in Class 3A this season. Although she does not have the State leading time or a State title under her belt, she is 100% a threat to win her first State Title this season.
Honorable Mentions
Alexandria Masden, Junior, Fern Creek
Holland Kantar, Senior, Lafayette
Taniyah Hines, Senior, Bryan Station