With the State Meet just 2 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 throwers and pole vaulters. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
Discus
The first athlete on this list is the potentially the most improved athlete in the State this season, Grayson Brashear. The Senior from South Oldham has improved by nearly 45 feet since last season's KHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championship where he finished in 15th. Currently, Brashear has the farthest throw in Class 3A with a staggering 175 feet 2 inch throw last week. If Brashear matches this performance in 10 days, he will be very hard to defeat making him the favorite to claim his first Outdoor State Championship.
However, Brashear's biggest challenge will come from another athlete who has eclipsed the 170 foot barrier, Zach Zimmerman. The Junior from Trinity (Louisville) will be making his first Outdoor State Championship appearance this season and will be looking to make a massive statement. Zimmerman currently has the second farthest throw in Class 3A this season at an even 171 feet. It will take a performance like that if Zimmerman were to pull the upset on Brashear. Nonetheless, Zimmerman should challenge Brashear and potentially claim his first State Championship.
The third and final athlete on this list is Bryce Tapp from Henderson County. Like Zimmerman, the Senior will be making his first State Championship appearance in the discus since the 2021 State Championships. This season has been a roller coaster for Tapp as he has several throws over 160 feet, but also several below 150 feet. He currently has the third farthest throw in 3A this season, but his volatility makes him unpredictable. If Tapp performs to his top ability, he could challenge our first two athletes and claim his first State Championship.
Shot Put
In this event, there exists a clear favorite, Grayson Brashear. Brashear is the defending champion from last season's State Championship and has only grown in dominance. Brashear won the Shot Put indoors this season at the KTCCCA Class AAA Indoor State Championships winning by 6 feet. Currently, Brashear has the State leading throw of 60 feet 11.75 inches, more than 8 feet beyond second place. There is no reason to think that Brashear will not repeat as Champion and should claim his second Outdoor State Championship this season.
Honorable Mentions
Ashton Jones, Junior, St. Xavier
Grant Garrison, Senior, Woodford County
Geoffey Bailey, 8th Grade, Madisonville North Hopkins
Pole Vault
Just like in the Shot Put, there is really one Pole Vaulter who has taken the Kentucky Track world by storm, Wyatt Stewart. The Senior from Madison Central has lost just 2 pole events in Kentucky since his Sophomore season (including it). Stewart has the Kentucky State Record both Indoors and Outdoors at 17-7 and 17-7.5 respectively. Assuming the event holds par, Stewart should face little resistance en route to his 3rd consecutive Outdoor Pole Vault State Championship.
Honorable Mentions
John Phelps, Junior, St. Xavier
Reagan Wright, Senior, Madison Central