High Jump
The first athlete who will contend for the High Jump State Championship this season is West Jessamine's Lillian Hodge. The Senior and Harvard commit is known as a pole vault aficionado but is also highly successful in the High Jump. Hodge is the defending Champion in this event from the 2022 KHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championship. This season, Hodge has carried that momentum forward winning the KTCCCA Class AAA Indoor State Championship in the High Jump as well. With this Championship pedigree, Hodge should be considered the favorite to win the Class 3A State Championship.
The second athlete on this list is Hodge's biggest competitor, Serena McNeilly. The Senior from Central Hardin finished runner-up to Hodge in this event at the last season's State Championship. McNeilly followed up this performance with a runner-up finish at the Indoor State Championship this season as well. McNeilly has the second highest jump in Class 3A this season and has looked very good. Will this be the year where she finally overtakes Hodge and claims her first State Championship?
Honorable Mentions
DeAijah Tulllis, Sophomore, Hopkinsville
Caroline Hooper, Junior, Dixie Heights
Claire Ackerman, Senior, Paul Laurence Dunbar
Long Jump
The first athlete on this list is Serena McNeilly of Central Hardin. McNeilly did not contest this event at the State Championships last season or at the Indoor State Championships this season. That said, McNeilly has the far and away best jump in the State this season at 19 feet 7 inches. Not only has she jumped that, but she also comes into State with the highest seed distance of 17 feet 4.5 inches. If she is able to reach anywhere close to that 19-7 jump, McNeilly would almost be unbeatable and would claim her first State Championship.
The second athlete on this list is Isabela Haggard of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Haggard is the defending State Champion in this event from last season, however, she hasn't performed up to that distinction this season. She currently holds only the third furthest jump in Class 3A this season. Nevertheless, her Championship pedigree and her consistent ability to hit over 17 feet could give Haggard the edge at this year's State Championship.
The third and final athlete on this list is hurdle specialist Aly Doyle. Doyle, A Sophomore from West Jessamine, finished runner-up to Haggard last season. Doyle then built on this performance by winning the Indoor State Championship in this event this season. Should Doyle replicate her performances this season, Doyle should be in contention to claim her first Outdoor Jumping State Championship this season.
Honorable Mention
Annie Somwe, Senior, Bryan Station
Triple Jump
This list is composed of many of the same athletes mentioned above. The first athlete on this list is the Indoor State Champion in this event, Serena McNeilly. McNeilly has been very good this season posting the second farthest jump in Class 3A this season. Last season, McNeilly finished 7th at the State Championship. However, recent success matters and as McNeilly is the Indoor State Champion in this event, she deserves the top spot on this list and could be in contention to win the State Championship.
The next athlete on this list is the number one returner from last season, Isabela Haggard. Haggard has the 4th best jump in Class 3A this season just 4 inches less than McNeilly. Haggard also posted the 4th best region jump in Class 3A. She has State pedigree and is used to the pressure that State brings athletes. Given this, Haggard could be looking at claiming her first State Championship this season.
The third and final athlete on this list is Aly Doyle of West Jessamine. Doyle placed 4th at last season's State Championship. She followed that up with a runner-up finish to McNeilly at the State Championship this past season. The only concern with Doyle is that she will be contesting both the long jump and triple jump as well as her hurdle events. Nevertheless, she should finish near the top at this year's Outdoor State Championship.
Honorable Mention
Annie Somwe, Senior, Bryan Station
Lillian Hodge, Senior, West Jessamine