By Colin Altevogt
Staff Writer
Just as
our Brandon Jones has been doing 2006
previews on the boys side, so it shall be with the girls. Following is
the first of five girls track & field previews, this one covering
sprints and hurdles from our boy Colin …
100-meter high hurdles
How do you
pick against a state champion? Well, in this case, you have to. State meet
record-holder Vanneisa Ivy returns after dominating the event last year with an
incredible half-second victory. Tamara Adams, who was the state champion her
sophomore year, will be looking to regain her title. Look for Erica Moore, who
was DQ�d in last year�s trials, to medal in her senior year.
Colin�s
Top 5:
1.
Vanneisha Ivy – Muncie
Central
2. Tamara
Adams – FW Northrop
3. Katie
Johnson ââ?¬â?? Harrison (West Lafayette)
4. Erica
Moore – Sullivan
5. Taylor
Sefranka – Harding
300-meter hurdles
The 300s,
like the other hurdle race, will feature two state champions. Like her main
competitor, Silvia Massey returns after a dominant performance at last year�s
state meet. She faces tough competition, however. 2004 state champion and 100-meter
high hurdle state record-holder Vanneisha Ivy looks to rebound from a poor performance
in last year�s 300s.
Colin�s
Top 5:
1.
Vanneisha Ivy – Muncie
Central
2. Silvia
Massey – Ben Davis
3.
Margaret Harris – SB Riley
4. Katie
Johnson ââ?¬â?? Harrison (West Lafayette)
5. Kayla
Smith – Mooresville
100 meters
Perennial
sprint contenders Lakeesha Burnett and Jeanne Roberts are gone, and a new crew
of girls look to take their place. Sophomore Candyce McGrone, the top returner,
should be the early favorite, but not by much. Bionca Gildon, a medalist in both
the 200 and 400, did not advance out of the 100 trials last season, but her
regional time would have placed her third last year. Look for Jessica Burnett,
cousin of the former Fort Wayne Northrop star, to have a breakout season.
Colin�s
Top 5:
1. Candyce
McGrone ââ?¬â?? Indianapolis
Broad Ripple
2. Jaryn
Hamilton – Franklin Central
3. Bionca
Gildon – Gary Wirt
4. Shannon
Smith – Michigan City
5. Jessica
Burnett – FW North
200 meters
One of the
last events of the night should have huge title implications. Nikki Johnson,
last year�s top returner after placing third, should be looking to score huge
points for Muncie Central. Bionca Gildon just may put Gary Wirt in contention
for the title — all by herself. The 200 final, however, could be Gildonââ?¬â?¢s
fifth race of the day.
Colin�s
Top 5:
1. Nikki
Johnson – Muncie
Central
2. Jessica
Burnett – FW North
3. Bionca
Gildon – Gary Wirt
4. Shannon
Smith – Michigan City
5. Hillary
Griffith ââ?¬â?? SB Adams
400 meters
Competition
in the quarter should be tight as seven of last year�s nine All-State runners
return for another shot. North Central�s Ashley Caldwell, last year�s
runner-up, is a step ahead of the field as many of the other contenders are
full of question marks.
Mary
Catherine Quiett of Mishawaka Marian was eighth last year, but she had a breakout
cross country season, placing eighth there as well. She may move up to the 800.
Erica Moore, a hurdler and sprinter with range, will also have some decisions
to make. Bionca Gildon, who should advance in both short sprints, may be
looking to concentrate on a specific event if her school is not in the team
race.
Colin�s
Top 5:
1. Ashley
Caldwell – North Central (Indianapolis)
2.
Johnetta Hammond – Crawfordsville
3. Bionca
Gildon – Gary Wirt
4. Erica
Moore – Sullivan
5. Beverly
Moore – FW Northrop
Stay tuned for my next installment in this five-part series!
So
what do you think? Share your thoughts in our Girls Track & Field
forum.
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