Our first California Event Preview for the 2014 Outdoor Track and Field Season! We will be bringing you previews of all events for both genders between now and opening weekend (March 1st). I will keep my lead-ins brief, as the list of top returners and their PRs is often rather self explanatory. Please look to our TFX database for an ongoing list of top performers throughout the season. 

Now on to the preview!

100 & 200 Meters

The Queen of Sprints is back!  Ariana Washington was the dominant sprinter in California last spring and was in thin company across the country. She's back along with her powerful Long Beach Poly team for what looks to be a memorable year in girls sprints.  Ariana has bests of 11.39 (11.18 with wind) in the 100 meters, and 23.05 in the 200 meters, and she is the returning state champion at both distances. But this is California, and even the Queen of Sprints needs to be ready for serious challengers.  

Ariana Washington of Long Beach Poly wins the CIF-SS D1 100 meter sprint title

San Leandro senior Gabriella Cantrell is the top challenger in both events, bringing PRs of 11.67, (11.50w) and 23.77 with her. Other serious contenders in the 100 include Westlake's Abigail Smith and La Quinta's Kayla Wilson in a tough field that features more than 10 returning girls who went under 12 seconds last season. In the 200, look for Kayla Richardson of Etiwanda and Sierra Peterson of St. Mary's (Inglewood) to lead a solid pack of challengers. 

100 Meters Top Returners

200 Meters Top Returners

400 Meters

Our top female 400 meter returner is Hannah Waller of Buchanan in the Central Section. Just a sophomore, Hannah dipped under 55 seconds three times last year, registering a PR of 54.42 at the Central Section Masters meet en route to her first section title. Other sub-55'ers include Melissa Mongiovi of West Hills and Madeline Price of Menlo School. See our table of top returners below.

400 Meters Top Returners