Girls outdoor track preview: Plenty of contenders for top honors

Two of the state’s best all-around track athletes will be looking to take home double gold at All-States in early June. And they’re just two of the enormously talented girls who should make noise on the track and in the field events this spring.

Wellesley’s terrific Megan Webb should be a strong favorite to defend her title in the 400 hurdles and move up in the long jump. Westford’s Megan Frazee has the opportunity for a unique double in the 100 hurdles and pole vault.

The 100 hurdles should be a deep event with Old Rochester’s Jennifer Williams, Katherine DeFosse of Burncoat and Natick’s Trinity Vicers. Webb will be up against a quality field in the long jump with Grace Carroll of Westford Academy, Kiyanni Simas of Milford, Sharon’s Simone Dunbar and Anabelle Biggs of Martha’s Vineyard.

In the 400 hurdles, Webb will have to contend with Newton North’s Lorna Arcese, Mansfield’s Caitlin Dumouchel and Abby Desmarais of Framingham.

Newton North could very well capture the top two places in the shot put as New England indoor champion Julia Tulimieri and Meet of Champions winner Skye Petrie-Cameron go head to head.

The 100 should also be a deep event, with defending champion Elliana Tweedie of Westford looking to outduel Abington’s Maria Wood, Milford’s Kiyanni Simas, Acton-Boxboro’s Melissa White, Wendy Wooden of Sharon and Mansfield’s Abigail Scott. The 200 is wide open with Grace Hanafin of Burlington, White, Wood, Wooden and Chatal Coelho of Wellesley.

Cambridge’s Kylee Bernard should be the favorite in the 400 after a strong indoor campaign. The event is deep with Apponequet’s Morgan Hayward, Kelsey Tarby of Hingham, Jillian Fenerty of Franklin and a half dozen more girls who have broken 60 seconds.

Without question, the 800 was the deepest event last spring but graduation changed the entire landscape. Brookline’s Camille Jordan and Maeve Parrish of Bishop Feehan look to be the early favorites with Oliver Ames’ Jenna Gilman, Anna Casey of Medford and Anna Mackey of Melrose all in the mix.

Newton South’s Amelia Everett is only getting better after capturing the indoor title in the mile and should be at the front to defend her spring title. Weston’s Julie Hohenberg pushed Everett last year and has the racing smarts to also be in the lead pack. Look for Aisling Callahan of North Andover, Concord-Carlisle’s Samantha Evans, Shae Regan of Littleton, Alex Lusby of Medfield and Katie Sobieraj of Oliver Ames to battle for medals.

Regan would be favored to take the 2-mile if she opts for the longer race. Nashoba’s Caroline Collins, Samantha Seabury of Wakefield, Anna McElhinney of Billerica, Methuen’s Miana Caraballo and Ella Bates of Weymouth are all proven tough in the longer race.

The high jump is another event that has several favorites with Mari McBride of Lexington, Peabody’s Lindsey Wilson, Stoughton’s Gabriella Julien, Hampshire’s Grace Plumer, Emily Rubio of Pentucket and Paige Keneally of Wachusett.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/vzSVlHe