With the State Meet just 4 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 distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
1600m/3200m
Ciara O'Shea, Jessica Secor, and Tula Fawbush compete in the 1600m at the 2022 KHSAA Outdoor State Championships
The first athlete to highlight on this list is the State's top distance talent, Ciara O'Shea. The Senior from Madison Central currency holds the State record in the 3200m and the 5000m, however, her mile record was broken at the Kentucky Dream Mile by the next girl on our list. O'Shea had dominated Class 3A since her Sophomore year winning the last four KHSAA Cross Country State Championships in addition to winning the Indoor 1500m and 3000m at the 2021 and 2022 KTCCCA Class AA/AAA Indoor State Championships. O'Shea also won the 1600m and 3200m at the 2021 KHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championship and the 2022 Class 3A Track and Field State Championship. While she lost the Dream Mile this season, she also lost it last season before going on to win the State Championship. We should expect nothing less from O'Shea keeping her at number one on this list.
Second on this list is the 2023 Kentucky Dream Mile Champion, Jessica Secor. The Senior from Dupont Manual surprised everyone except Milesplit podcast co-host, Tyler Bass, as she powered to one of the largest upsets in State history defeating O'Shea and setting a new Kentucky state record in 4:44.73. Last season, Secor finished 2nd to O'Shea in the 1600m and 3200m at last season's State Championships before following that up with another 2nd place finish at this year's State Cross Country Championship. While Secor beat O'Shea at the Dream Mile, O'Shea has beaten her almost every other time they have faced each other making Secor second on this list.
The final athlete on this list is the Kentucky state Steeplechase record holder, Tula Fawbush. The only Junior on this list, Fawbush is set to take over the distance running scene next year, however, she is already a major contender. Fawbush won the 1500m at the 2023 KTCCCA Class AA/AAA Indoor State Championship. Before this, she took 3rd at the Cross Country State meet behind Secor and O'Shea. Fawbush finished 3rd in both the 800m and 1600m at the State Championships last season while helping her Oldham County 4x800m relay team place 4th, but could surprise this season and win her first Outdoor State Championship.
Honorable Mentions
Addison Moore, Freshman, Woodford County
Reagan Gilmore, Junior, Assumption
Savannah Mooney, Freshman, Bullitt East
Chesney Mcpherson, Junior, Barren County
Caroline Mooney, 7th Grade, Bullitt East