GIRLS
Coronado's versatile Alysah Hickey won the State Meet title in the long jump, was fourth in the high jump and her senior project is to include 100m hardware to the collection. (Louis Amestoy photo)
SPRINTS
Even if Coronado's Alysah Hickey (11.87) decides not to compete in this event at the state because she's also the defending long jump champ and a fourth-place finisher in the high jump, she's the one to beat in the 100. Madison's Aysha Shaheed clocked an 11.95 in the 100 as a freshman a year ago, finishing eighth in the state. No depth here, though.
In the 200, Olympian's Adaeze Noble went 24.89 in the state prelims and leads a group of youngsters that includes sophs Shaheed (25.25) and Scripps Ranch's Jaymie Ruskovich (25.34) and Del Norte junior Jayda Rustemoglu (25.37).
Grade: B
MIDDLE DISTANCES
Although there are great numbers here-15 under 59-no true standout. Look for Adaeze Noble (56.17), University City's Katrina Wright (56.86) and Cathedral Catholic's Sophia Aragon (56.90) to battle it out for state berths.
The 800 is another matter. Scripps Ranch's Julia Morales (2:13.02) placed eighth in Clovis a year ago, coming on strong at the finish. Right there with her were La Costa Canyon's Jessica Riedman (2:13.52) and La Jolla's Sierra Roberson (2:14.81). Riedman will probably run the 1600 this year but sub-2:17 runners like El Camino's Destiny Moedano (2:16.31), Christian's Jenna Rubidoux (2:16.39) and Coronado's Teresa Perez (2:16.54) will be right there.
Grade: C- and B
DISTANCES
If cross country is any indicator, this could be a sensational event.
La Costa Canyon's Kristin Fahy, MileSplitCA's Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, tops the list, especially in the 3200 where she ran 10:16.44 to finish fourth at state a year ago. Should she decide to double, her 4:50.26 in the 1600 is solid.
But teammate Riedman, who sped to a 4:50.74 in the 1600 last year, will probably favor that race this year. Cross country standouts Carlie Dorostkar (5:03.97) of Canyon Crest and Bella Longo (5:05.73) of Mission View join versatile front-runner Teresa Perez (5:03.22) looking for big seasons.
Although Fahy is expected to dominate the 3200, runners like Dorostkar (10:49.56), Longo (10:53.27) and Sage Creek's Skyler Wallace (10:56.69) are looking to improve as is Eastlake's Patricia Miessner (10:45.65), the 2018 standout who was injured for cross country.
Grade: A
HURDLES
San Diego High's Sonia Redon clocked a 14.38 PR in the state prelims and stands 12th all-time San Diego in the 100s. Not a lot of depth with Carlsbad's Zoe Nolte (15.12) topping the list of 12 challengers under 15.65 looking for major time drops.
It's a different story in the 300 lows where Mission Hills' Maya Occiano (43.67) is the lone runner under 44 and Grossmont's Madilyn Mayo (44.41) the only challenger to have cracked 45 seconds.
Grade: C+
RELAYS
Graduation has stripped schools like Olympian and Torrey Pines in both relay events and trying to figure who will have either freshmen or transfers bolster their rosters is practically impossible.
Oregon-bound Hickey anchors a team that returns versatile San Diego State-signee Ruthie Grant-Williams in the short event while Scripps Ranch looks to be strong in the 4x400 with Morales leading the way. The Falcons always finish the season with a splash.
Grade: C-
VERTICAL JUMPS
With Hickey's 5-10 a year ago leading the way, both of the events using a crossbar figure to be the section's strength.
Hickey could become only the second jumper to ever clear 6-feet behind Sue McNeal's 6-01.75 40 years ago with 5-6 jumper Abby Phillips of Santa Fe Christian and 5-5 jumper Grant-Williams.
The pole vault has similar quality and better quantity. State 5th place finisher Mia Cervantes of Poway cleared 12-6 and is looking for a fast start. Teammate Camryn Thomson placed 9th at state with a best of 12-5, the same as a third Titan, Katerina Adamiec. Rancho Bernardo soph Ashley Callahan cleared 11-11 as a freshman last season.
Grade: A
HORIZONTAL JUMPS
Naturally, all eyes will be on Hickey who is taking dead aim at the last remaining Gail Devers section record of 20-7 in the long jump. Add in 19-footer from 2017, Jazmine Scott from Gompers, and Westview junior Alexxis Brown at 18-8 and this should be a fun event.
The triple jump is topped by Scott who hit 39-05.50 at the Cal State Games and reportedly is ready for a big year. Point Loma's Sadie Heckman (37-5) and Oceanside's Kalani Hardyway (37-1) provide depth.
Grade: A
WEIGHT EVENTS
Here are a couple of those "potentially" strong events provided there is lots of improvement.
There is optimism in both events with 2017 freshman Brandy Atuatasi of West Hills returning with bests of 40-07 in the shot and 135-02 in the discus. Atuitasi has the frame to be a much better discus-thrower and with a year of experience, could be among the best.
Not much depth here with University City's Angel Srioudom having hit 40-03 in the shot and Mission Hills' Kiera Cruz reaching 131-08 with the platter.
Grade: C+
TEAMS
Olympian won Division I well after the meet was over. A scoring error was discovered. The Eagles are strong again, just not as strong. LCC and Poway are also solid. In D2, Sage Creek and Coronado have top people.