You might think Oaks Christian would dominate this division in the 4x100 - after all, the Lions are ranked 2nd in the nation with a 45.57. The thing is, there are two other teams here that have run in the 46's: Serra has a 46.46 and St. Mary's has clocked 46.82. That means Oaks Christian can't really relax in this race, because a mistimed or bobbled handoff could cost them the win. The Lions also have a dominating 4x400, having run 3:47.83 this season.
Cassidy Palka (Oaks Christian) is a slight favorite in the high jump at 5' 6", but she has three 5' 4" jumpers chasing her: teammate Maya Hutchinson, Francesca Gettings (Marymount), and Tessa Allen (Bishop Montgomery).
The discus should be intensely competitive, and could see several leaders throughout the competition. Alladia Patterson (Louisville) is the only girl to have thrown over 120 feet this season, but Xochitl Bryson (Oxford Academy) had the best throw of the prelims with her 118' 9". Don't forget about Maya Archer (Valley Christian) or Alyssa Carrillo (St. Bonaventure), who both have marks in the 117-foot range this spring.
Athletes to Watch
Foot Locker finalist Caroline Pietrzyk (Malibu) is the only 1600 runner in the division to have broken 5 minutes, and she is absolutely dominant in the 3200 - her 10:21 is 40 seconds ahead of the next-best competitor!
Jaela Williams (Serra) has run 13.69 in the 100 Hurdles (albeit wind-aided), making her the heavy favorite there despite cruising in the prelims.
Jackie Chandler (Santa Ynez Valley Union) has run 55.09 for the 400, but she is not a lock to win. That's because Sarah Johnson (Oaks Christian) has clocked 55.90, and those two should have quite a duel.
Of course, Lauren Rain Williams (Oaks Christian) is THE athlete to watch in Division 4, but her path to a 100 title isn't going to be a breeze. her 11.42 makes her the favorite, but Celera Barnes (St. Bonaventure) has a wind-legal 11.56, and Oaks Christian teammate Schuyler Moore has posted an 11.68. Nobody is touching Williams in the 200, though: her 23.19 is US #3 wind-legal, and everyone else would be happy to just break 24.
Bianca Alonzo (Marlborough) has run 2 seconds faster than anyone else in the 800, with only Julia Sullivan (Oaks Christian) appearing to be in striking range.
Aliyah Hale (St. Mary's) cruised in the 300 Hurdles prelims, but she has run 42.65 this season and that makes her heavily favored.
Sierra Emrick (Morro Bay) has vaulted 12' 1" this season, giving her the advantage over Sienna Stinson (Templeton) and her 11' 4" season best.
Could Oaks Christian sweep the three jumps? In addition to Palka in the high jump, Maya Hutchinson is the top seed in a long jump that lacks an 18-footer, The triple will be the biggest challenge, as Palka has the 3rd-best mark this spring, well over a foot behind top seed India Hines (La Salle).
Patterson is capable of dominating in the shot put, as her 41' 5" mark makes her the only thrower in the division over 40 feet.
