'23 TRACK and FIELD PERFORMER OF THE WEEK POLL
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Congratulations to Lahela Ray of Calabasas (SS) this week's top vote-getter for MileSplit Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Week.
Lahela, a junior competing for Code Black Elite at the Spokane HS Indoor Invitational, placed second in the 60 meters (7.77) and teamed with her sister Zoe Ray, Arielle McKenzie, and Braelon Holmes to win the 4x400 relay in 3:54.45.
Lahela received 48 percent of the vote in a statewide poll. Maya Woolforde, a freshman at JSerra (SS), was second in the voting at 43 percent.
Congratulations to all athletes whose performance warranted consideration in last week's poll and thanks to everyone who voted.
Who's next?
Each week we will selected seven or eight top performers from the previous week/weekend and put them on the line for you to select the CA T&F Performer of the Week.
Check out the resumes below and then make sure to vote in the FanPower module at the bottom of the page. As always, voting closes Friday at 9 p.m.
So we've gotta ask: WHO YA GOT?
This week's candidates (listed alphabetically by last name)
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Laraigh Allen (Helix/SD) - Laraigh, a junior, won the 60m (7.74), 150m (18.17), and 300m (39.52) at the University City Winter Qualifier. All three marks are either No. 1 or No. 2 so far this winter.
Iliana Downing (Ła Costa Canyon/SD) - Iliana, a junior, cleared 13 feet in the pole vault at the Great Oak Winter Qualifier meet, the top winter outdoor mark in CA this year.
Kaylin Edwards (Long Beach Wilson/SS) - Kaylin, a sophomore, won the 300m (40.73) placed second in the 60m hurdles (9.50), and placed third in the 150m (18.80) at the Covina Winter Qualifier. All three marks are among the fastest on the track this winter.
Jada Gatlin (Mission Viejo/SS) - Jada, the USC-bound senior competing at the Los Alamitos Qualifier, improved her season mark in the triple jump to 38-10, No. 2 in CA so far this winter.
Christina Gray (Carson/LA) - Christina, a freshman, won the 60m (7.64), placed second in the long jump (18-3.75), and third in the 150m (18.28) at the Los Alamitos Winter Qualifier.
Alyssa Hope (ML King/SS) - Alyssa, a senior, improved her winter state lead in both the long jump (18-7.50) and triple jump (39-0.50) at the Los Alamitos Winter Qualifier.
Cate Peters (Monte Vista/NC) - Cate, the Stanford-bound a senior, opened her winter track season winning the 150m (19.23) and 300m (40.09) at the rescheduled Palma Winter Qualifier in Salinas.
Payton Smith (La Jolla/SD) - Payton, a junior, won the 150 (18.42) and 300m (39.69) and anchored her Havoc TC 4x200m team (1:44.66) at the Great Oak Winter Qualifying meet.
Vote for the CA Girls Track and Field Performer of the Week (Jan. 15-21)
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Photos courtesy of Jeff Clanagan/Calabasas HS and Code Black Elite TC