FUTURE STARS
Undoubtedly inspired by our recognition in this feature last week, Clovis North freshman McKay Madsen took over the U.S. class lead in both throws last week. (DeAnna Turner, file)
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The objective of this weekly feature is to highlight as many standout freshmen and sophomore track and field athletes in the Golden State as possible. Now three weeks into the outdoor season, our goal is to try to spotlight different athletes each week. But it's already clear that some of these exceptional young performers whose future stardom is now.
We wrote this about Ventura (SS) frosh distance star Sadie Engelhardt last week. She now is the national class leader in four events (800, 1600, Mile, 3200) and already this young season has established two national class records.
Not quite to the national-record level but stellar nonetheless, Clovis North freshman McKay Madsen, featured here last week, established national class-leading marks in both the discus throw (152-10) and the shot put (52-00.50) last week at a March 2 dual with Clovis (SS).
Also ascending to a national class-leading spot is Dublin (NC) sophomore Jathiyah Muhammad in the pole vault with her 12-6 winning mark at the March 5 Dan Gabor Invitational at Amador Valley (NC) HS.
Clovis East (CS) sophomore distance runner Carter Spradling sits atop the U.S. 1600-meter class rankings with his 4:18.88 time from the Feb. 25 Buchanan Distance Classic.
That's just a sampling.
The season is young. Many states are just now transitioning to their outdoor season. High nationally ranked marks are going to be harder to come by as we get deeper into March. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for CA stars in the MileSplit database and update you here each week.