With the State Meet just 4 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 2A distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all. The way we will approach this is by highlighting a few 1600m and 3200m specialists and then tackling the athletes who will contest both events.
1600m
Caroline Beiting wins the 1600m at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field State Championship
The athlete sitting atop this list is the defending State Champion from the 2022 KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championship in this event, Caroline Beiting. The Sophomore from Lexington Catholic has been a 800m/1600m threat her whole career. She has the fastest 1600m time in Class 2A this season. Beiting also won the 1500m at the KTCCCA Class AA/AAA Indoor State Championship this season making her the odds on favorite to repeat as Champion in the 1600m at the State Championships.
Second on this list is Lincoln County's Abby Bastin. The Freshman has run very well this year posting the third fastest 1600m time in Class 2A this season. Bastin finished 3rd in both last year's Outdoor Track and Field State Championships and this year's Indoor State Championships in the mile event. However, as she is more of an 800m runner, her speed could play a big role in a Championship race placing her second on this list.
3200m
The one athlete on this list who is a 3200m specialist is Millie Huang of North Oldham. The 7th grader has run 11:00 in the 3200m this season which makes Huang the 3rd fastest 7th grader Nationally. So far this outdoor season, Huang is undefeated beating both middle schoolers and high schoolers alike. This fearless nature makes her someone to watch out for at the State Championships, especially if she is fresh.
1600m/3200m
Kicking off our combination list is Cate Conklin of Lexington Catholic. As Beiting's teammate, Conklin is often overlooked, however, the Junior is very strong in her own right. She currently has posted the 2nd fastest time in Class 2A this season in both the 1600m and 3200m. Conklin finished 7th in the 3200m at last year's Outdoor Track and Field Championships and finished 2nd in the 1500m at the Indoor State Championships. Her strength is special and makes her a threat in both the 1600m and 3200m at State this season.
Second on this list is Elizabethtown's Ella Johnson. A Senior, Johnson has been on a mission this season posting the 4th fastest 1600m time in Class 2A this season and the fastest 3200m by 20 seconds. At State last season, Johnson finished runner-up to Beiting in the 1600m and won the 3200m. Indoors, Johnson won the 3000m at the State Meet. As the defending 3200m champion, Johnson should be one of the favorites to repeat as Champion in the 3200m and contend for the 1600m State Championship as well.
Third on this list is Maddie Strong. The Junior from Scott has run very well this season posting Class 2A's 5th fastest 1600m time and 4th fastest 3200m. She won the 2A State Cross Championships this past season and has been consistent outdoors this season. WIth her combination of consistency and strength, she could prove to be a top challenger for both the 1600m and 3200m at the State Championships.
Honorable Mentions
Bethany Simpson, Junior, Bourbon County
Isabella Day, Freshman, Larue County
Clayra Darnell, Senior, Mercer County