Northern Section Track & Field Preview

Sprints & Hurdles




On the girls' side, the biggest star this season is likely to be Hailey Fune (Chico). She is the defending section champ in the 100 Hurdles and has the top returning time in both hurdle events. Fune made the state meet in the highs last spring, but this time she wants to do more than just be there - and if she can improve on her 14.94 PR, that might be a possibility. Elizabeth Wiley (CORE Butte Charter) could challenge her in the 300 Hurdles and prevent the double. For the boys, Dylan Northrup (Foothill Palo Cedro) appears to be the favorite in the 110 Hurdles, although Daniel Dickerson (West Valley) could be a dark horse contender for the title. Northrup is also the top returner from the Northern Section Finals, but he didn't have the top returning time in the section overall - that belongs to Leslie Cummings (Enterprise), who clocked 39.45 in the Division 1 meet and has an all-time PR of 38.92.

Lauren Harper (Trinity) is a standout in the 400, although her better event is the 800, and that is where her focus is likely to be come May. If she doesn't run it again this May, then the race is wide open: Zoey Bishop (Foothill Palo Cedro) is the top returner from last year's finals, but Kaitlin Paul (Oroville) has the best returning time with Chava Rivers (Las Plumas) right behind. Alisha McFall (Yreka) is the defending champion in the 100 dash and finished 2nd in the 200 in 2018, putting her in position to contend for two wins this spring. Watch out for Isabella Alvarez (West Valley), who finished 3rd in both races as a freshman, and Jadyn Wilson (Trinity), who put up some strong 200 times in the regular season but did not race it in the championship meets. Logan Blair (Willows) is the top boys returner in the 100, but he will have lots of competition from Dante Jackson (Pleasant Valley). Watch out for Sean McDonald (Enterprise), who posted a sub-11 to go with a 22.38 in the 200 at his league meet, at which point his season ended. Jackson beat McDonald in that league meet, and went on to win the section title in the 200, so his is the clear favorite there. Jayden Gordon (Foothill Palo Cedro) won the 2018 title in the 400 and has the top returning time in the section, but he could be challenged by Jared Mackay (Paradise).