With the State Meet just 3 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 throwers and pole vaulters. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
Discus
The first athlete who will challenge for the Discus State Championship this year is Lindsay Jessie of Mercer County. The Senior has looked unbeatable in the Class 2A ranks this season winning 8 meets. She also is the second best returner from the 2022 KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championship. Jessie currently has the farthest throw in the field this year making her one of the favorites to claim her first State Championship.
However, there are several athletes that can challenge her. The first of these athletes is Germani Crosby from Lincoln County. The Freshman finished 14th last year at the State Meet, but has thrown the distance that would have landed her first at the State Meet last season. Crosby also has defeated Jessie this season Crosby also has the second farthest throw in Class 2A this season. As Crosby is only a Freshman, she should be a contender in this event for the next four years and is a name to watch.
The third athlete on this list is Ava Phillips of Breckinridge County. The Junior finished 21st at last season's State Championship, but has improved by more than 50 feet this season. While she is 15 feet or so behind the other two on this list, the discus is an event with many variables meaning a top level performance from her could land her a State Championship.
Shot Put
The first athlete who will challenge for the State Championship in the Shot Put is also Germani Crosby from Lincoln County. As a 8th grader, Crosby won the State Championship in this last season. Now a Freshman and building on that performance, Crosby won the discus at the KTCCCA Class AA Indoor Championship. Like the discuss, Crosby is one of the favorites to win the shot put this season and could defend her state championship.
The next athlete on this list has performed very well this season. Jaden Oldham of Franklin County. The Senior finished runner-up to Crosby in this event at both last season's Outdoor State Championship and this season's Indoor State Championship. Oldham currently has the second farthest throw in Class 2A and will be a threat to claim her first State Championship.
The final athlete on this list is Zyanya Crosby of Lincoln County. The 8th Grader currently has the third farthest throw in Class 2A this season. By nature of her being an 8th Grader, Crosby did not compete in this last season. Crosby does currently have the farthest throw in Class 2A this season, however, her average throwing distance is around the mid 20's. Was her state leading throw an outlier, or will she prove that she is going to challenge for the State Championship for many years to come?
Pole Vault
An interesting inclusion in this article, the pole vault mixes speed with strength and is one of the more technical events in all of Track and Field. Here are the athletes who will compete for the State Championship this season.
The first athlete on this list is Brianna Isa of Christian Academy-Louisville. The Senior is the defending State Champion in this event clearing 10 feet 6 inches last season. Isa continued that momentum by dominating the Indoor season claiming runner-up at the Indoor State Championships in the pole vault with an easy 10 foot 6 inch vault. This season, Isa has looked just as dominant posting an 11 foot jump this season. If Isa repeats this performance, she could repeat as the State Champion, however, like all events, it is not going to be easy.
The second athlete on this list is Maddi Reed from Shelby County. Last season, Reed finished 2nd to Isa at the State Championship clearing 10 feet and 6 inches. Since then, Reed has only grown in confidence defeating Isa at the Indoor State Championships posting a vault of 11 feet. As a Junior, she has currently vaulted the State leading height for Class 2A at 11 feet 6 inches and should challenge Isa to claim her first State Championship.
The third and final athlete on this list is Ava Thompson of Mason County. As a Freshman last season, Turner finished 4th at the State Championship vaulting 9 feet 6 inches. This season, Turner has cleared 10 feet 6 inches and will be a threat for many years to come. Over the next two seasons, expect Thompson to be in contention to win numerous State Championships in this event.
Honorable Mention
Ava Hernandez, Freshman, Bourbon County