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 100 Dash:
The Favorite: Zaria Francis (Rio Mesa) - defending state champion
Threats: Lauren Rain Williams (Oaks Christian)
Wildcards: Celera Barnes (St. Bonaventure), Kayla Richardson (Walnut), Amanda Van Buren (Vista Murrieta), Jasmin Reed (Serra)
Boys 100 Dash:
The Favorite: T.J. Brock (Chaminade Prep) - defending state champion
Threats: Michael Norman (Vista Murrieta)
Wildcards: Trevor Reid (Notre Dame), Antonio Mitchell (Vista Murrieta), Diab Davis (Alemany), Dominic Davis (Alemany), Sean McGrew (St. John Bosco)
Girls 200 Dash:
The Favorite: Zaria Francis (Rio Mesa) - defending state champion
Threats: Lauren Rain Williams (Oaks Christian)
Wildcards: Celera Barnes (St. Bonaventure), Kayla Richardson (Walnut), Amanda Van Buren (Vista Murrieta), Shamaya Flanagan (Quartz Hill)
Boys 200 Dash:
The Favorite: Michael Norman (Vista Murrieta) - defending state champion
Threats: T.J. Brock (Chaminade Prep), Zach Shinnick (Damien)
Wildcards: Antonio Mitchell (Vista Murrieta), Ryan Hall (Carson), Daniel Stokes (Diamond Ranch), Marcel Espinoza (Santa Monica), Diab Davis (Alemany), Isaiah Cunningham (Rancho Verde), Cole Dubots (Vista Murrieta)
Girls 400 Dash:
The Favorite: Shamaya Flanagan (Quartz Hill)
Threats: Ashley Willingham (Los Alamitos)
Wildcards: Carolyn Wilson (Oaks Christian), Jalyn Harris (Rancho Cucamonga), Jenna Mencarelli (Westlake), Kennedy Gillian (Mission Viejo)
Boys 400 Dash:
The Favorite: Michael Norman (Vista Murrieta) - defending champion
Threats: Um...
Wildcards: Zach Shinnick (Damien), Alex Perez (South Hills), Christian Lubrin (LB Wilson), Austin Lietz (Notre Dame), Christopher Wilcox (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Girls 100 Hurdles:
The Favorite: Tara Davis (Agoura)
Threats: Jada Hicks (Upland)
Wildcards: Brisa Guzman-Sanchez (Alemany), Shante Robinson (Mira Costa), Alexis Turley-Young (Canyon Anaheim Hills), Natasha Feshback (Santa Barbara)
Boys 110 Hurdles:
The Favorite: Joseph Anderson (Upland)
Threats: Khalil Dorsey (Colony), Koty Burton (La Quinta), Jasher Foster (St. Francis La Canada)
Wildcards: Alan Tantiwassadakran (Walnut), Cameron Hurd (Trabuco Hills)
Girls 300 Hurdles:
The Favorite: Shante Robinson (Mira Costa)
Threats: Courtney Corrin (Harvard Westlake)
Wildcards: Jaylah Walker (La Sierra), Coco Putnam (Laguna Beach), Paula Areceli Pedrani (El Toro), Malia Avila (Walnut), Shae Anderson (Santiago Corona), Breann Bernard-Joseph (Eleanor Roosevelt), Emma Kratzberg (Newport Harbor), Nikki Merritt (Santa Margarita)
Boys 300 Hurdles:
The Favorites: Cameron Hurd (Trabuco Hills), Aidan Christensen (Los Osos)
Threats: Andre Bernard-Joseph (Eleanor Roosevelt), Joseph Anderson (Upland), Caleb Stanton (Bonita),
Wildcards: Austin Lietz (Notre Dame Sherman Oaks), Ian Ward (Servite), Clayton Mackay (Templeton)