The Southern Section can only advance 6 athletes to the state meet in each event, and that makes for intense competition. The section is also graced with some overall state title contenders, including one that is so dominant that he may not have any true contenders. See our picks for the preseason contenders for those coveted spots in the CIF state meet below, and let us know if you think we missed anyone!
Girls Long Jump
The Favorite: Courtney Corrin (Harvard Westlake)
Threats: Tara Davis (Agoura)
Wild Cards: Destiny Longmire (Rancho Verde), Noelle Schiller (Westlake), Zhane Smith (Long Beach Poly), Sam Seaton (Westlake)
Boys Long Jump
The Favorite: Khalil Dorsey (Colony)
Threats: Brandon Carlin (Damien), Shane Sipes (Newbury Park), Michael Mitchell (Tesoro), Jordan Testerman (Vista Murrieta)
Wild Cards: Kyle Gray (Alta Loma), Dakarai Barnett (Fountain Valley), Bryan Thompson (Rancho Verde), BJ McLaurin (Bonita)
Girls Triple Jump
The Favorite: Tara Davis (Agoura)
Threats: Cuynamon Stevenson (Great Oak)
Wild Cards: Emem Ibekwe (J.W. North), Alexis Turley-Young (Canyon Anaheim Hills), Akaylah Hill (Redondo Union), Jali Barrett (Long Beach Poly), Melissa Seaman (St. Francis La Canada), Carolyn Weisman (San Marcos), Aliyah Woodall (Calabasas), Noelle Schiller (Westlake)
Boys Triple Jump
The Favorites: Morrell Osling (Antelope Valley), Jah Strange (Xavier College Prep)
Threats: Chris McLerath (Xavier College Prep), BJ McLaurin (Bonita), Lorenzo Burns (Linfield Christian)
Wild Cards: Jacob Zandi (Murrieta Valley), Micquan Wright (Paramount Valley)
Girls Shot Put
The Favorite: Taylor Crockem (Chino), Kathryn Plummer (Aliso Niguel)
Threats: Samantha Henkel (Arroyo Grande), Alladia Patterson (Louisville)
Wild Cards: Angelique Hudson (Tahquitz), Tairyn Montgomery (Redondo Union), Rachelle A La Torre (Newport Harbor)
Boys Shot Put
The Favorite: Bronson Osborn (Esperanza)
Threats: Kylan Wilborn (Notre Dame Sherman Oaks)
Wild Cards: Patrick Gonzalez (Sierra Canyon), Luke Wattenberg (JSerra Catholic), Chris White (Notre Dame Sherman Oaks), Clint Meyer (Esperanza), Michael Jarboe (Newport Harbor)
Girls Discus Throw
The Favorite: Ailini Williams (Paramount)
Threats: Rachelle A La Torre (Newport Harbor)
Wild Cards: Emma Desilva (Mission Viejo), Brianna Uipi (Lutheran Orange), Haunani Pedro (Trabuco Hills), Ana Gillis (San Clemente), Kristen Thompson (Paso Robles), Joy McArthur (Dana Hills)
Boys Discus Throw
The Favorites: Bronson Osborn (Esperanza), Kyle Carillo (Westlake)
Threats: Seth Knowlton (Great Oak), Luke Wattenberg (JSerra Catholic)
Wild Cards: David Potts (Eleanor Roosevelt), Charles Vernoy Ging (Ventura)
Girls High Jump
The Favorite: Hannah Nance (San Dimas)
Threats: Chianne Warner (Knight), Cassidy Palka (Oaks Christian), Alisha Edwards (Redlands)
Wild Cards: Abigail Burke (Polytechnic Riverside), Abby McPhillips (Oak Park), Emem Ibekwe (J.W. North), Maya Hutchinson (Oaks Christian), Janell Walley (Yucaipa), Kallie Given (Los Alamitos)
Boys High Jump
The Favorites: Elijah Hughes (J.W. North), Sean Lee (Trabuco Hills)
Threats: Bryce Fausset (Ventura), Earnest Sears (Alemany)
Wild Cards: Ryan Laudermilk (King), Chance Kuehnel (Sage Hill), Michael Solomon (Los Osos)
Girls Pole Vault
The Favorite: Rachel Baxter (Canyon Anaheim Hills)
Threats: McKenna Caskey (Mater Dei), Kate Thomas (Santa Margarita)
Wild Cards: Kaitlin Heri (Redondo Union), Claire Kao (Dana Hills), Rachel Craft (Thousand Oaks), Amanda Block (Beverly Hills)
Boys Pole Vault
The Favorite: Jett Gordon (Marina)
Threats: Landon Shank (Servite), Christopher Doerr (Trabuco Hills), Tate Curran (Redondo Union), Esteban Suarez (South Pasadena)
Wild Cards: Shane Peterson (Moorpark), Christian Esplana (Eleanor Roosevelt)