SCRIPPS RANCH GIRLS
Think of the Golden State Warriors at full strength and that's the way the Falcons are hoping things work out. Early in the season this quartet clocked a 46.95 twice in the 4x100 relay before first anchor leg Aubree Bell and then freshman Aaliyah McCormick were sidelined. Bell returned three weeks ago and this week McCormick rejoins the quartet that includes Jaymie Ruskovich and Brianna Sproles. Can they break 47? Doubtful. But should they qualify, look for the Falcons to give Long Beach Poly (46.62) all it can handle at state.
LA COSTA CANYON'S JESSICA RIEDMAN
If Jessica Riedman is bothered running in the shadow of teammate Fahy, she certainly hasn't shown it. Clocking 2:13s in the 800 virtually every meet, she dipped down to 2:11.37 at Mt. SAC and coach Bill Vice has been bringing the two runners along very carefully. Riedman cruised into the championships where no one would be surprised if she got a monster PR. She also will run the 1600 where she clocked a 4:53.28 three weeks ago and 4:50.74 last year.
SAN PASQUAL'S NOAH TELLEZ-VELAZQUEZ
Just a hunch here. Unlike Riedman, Noah Tellez-Velazquez has been all over the map in the 800 after starting with a 1:57.95. But his 1:52.52 at Azusa-Pacific showed two things. One, he performs well in big meets and two, he has the speed and strength to put up impressive numbers when he's ready. The competition will be there.
THE STANFORD TWINS
An easy prediction -- Garrett and Jacob Stanford will be less than a second apart when they finish the 1600 Saturday. That's been their modus operandi their whole lives and there's no reason to think anything else might happen. In the Avocado West League finals three weeks ago, Garrett won at 4:13.77 and Jacob was .08 back at 4:13.85. Thank heavens for photo timing.
GROSSMONT'S LEYIKUN SOLOMON
A tumble by Leyikun Solomon (at left in Frank Bellino photo) in the section prelims just might see some newer state rules come into effect. Although Solomon, who also qualified in the 400, 110-highs and 4x400 relay, got up and finished his 300-meter hurdle race, his time was No. 10 overall, meaning he'll be in the "B" heat. Prior to this year, that doomed him for the State Meet. No longer. If his time Saturday is among the top three in the section or makes the state at-large standard of 38.30, he'll move on. His best is 38.38.
POINT LOMA'S ALTAN MITCHELL
Altan Mitchell is another of those athletes who strike terror into the hearts of his opponents. Mitchell could bound 50-feet in the triple jump (his best is 48-7) or he just might not even make the top three. The potential is certainly there and he has become more consistent at 47 feet as the season has progressed. He has at least one big effort in him-will it come Saturday?
RANCHO BERNARDO'S JACEY FARMER
It's always interesting to make predictions about freshmen -- especially freshmen girls. Jacey Farmer, whose family name is etched in stone in the decathlon and heptathlon, is a distance runner when she isn't playing high-quality soccer. Her time of 5:01.79 in the 1600 in early April won't frighten the likes of Riedman (4:50.74 last year), but if she is anywhere close with a lap to go, there is no limit how far her terrific kick and desire to win might carry her.
SAN DIEGO'S SONIA REDON
Clearly the best in the section in the 100-meter hurdles at 14.28-seconds, Sonia Redon will not be satisfied until she gets under 14 seconds. She's strong and quick over the hurdles. Her major competitor is the relentless clock she has been trying to beat all season. Speed work the last couple weeks should have her primed. That 14.28 is No. 7 in the state but only four athletes have dipped under 14.
MADISON'S AYSHA SHAHEED
So you think Christon is the only person with speed at Madison? Aysha Shaheed, a sophomore whose father is the Warhawks' sprint coach, is the defending champion in the 100 with a season best of 11.87 and she should be right in the mix in what promises to be a crazy-close 200 with University City's Katrina Wright (24.44), Shaheed (24.46) and Scripps Ranch's Jaymie Ruskovich (24.53).
WEST HILLS' BRANDY ATUATASI
The thing to remember here is Brandy Atuatasi is only a sophomore. With her 45-01.50 effort in the shot put at the section Frosh-Soph Championships, she moved to No. 2 in the state among 10th-graders and No. 7 overall. She has improved almost five feet this year to stand No. 6 all-time in the San Diego Section.