Division 2 Girls
Bold Prediction: Grace Hartman Breaks 10:20, Runs US No. 1 Freshman Mark in 3200
Seemingly flying under the national radar, this may be the weekend that Oakwood's Grace Hartman breaks out and puts the rest of the country on notice.
The US No. 1 3200 for freshmen at the moment is 10:21.31. It would be a massive leap for Hartman, who currently sits at 10:40.35 and enters the meet with an 11:10.37 seed from last week, but that's why these are bold predictions.
Hartman has shown the chops in 2018-19 as she has not only rolled to that 10:40.35 best, but also 4:56.56 in the 1600 and 18:03 in the 5K (cross country). Keep an eye as Hartman separates from the field and chases down national recognition.
Races To Watch
100 Meter Hurdles
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Leah King, Perry - 14.03
2) Kerrigan Myers, Galion - 14.05
3) Jessica Hudson-Turpin, Orange - 14.24
4) Jazmyn Potts, Chaminade Julienne - 14.50
5) Ashley Bowker, Lakeview - 14.66
Breakdown:
Perry's Leah King and Galion's Kerrigan Myers are bringing the fireworks this weekend as it appears we could see two girls shatter 14 seconds in the Division 2 100 Meter Hurdles.
King went 13.89 here last season to grab the win and even though Myers enters as the second fastest seed, Jazmyn Potts enters as the next best returner from the 2018 meet.
A front-loaded event, the top two competitors will surely be locked in to what may me one of the most exciting short sprint duals of the weekend.
100 Meter Dash
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Azsah Bradley, Ravenna - 11.66
2) Kyndia Matlock, Youngstown East - 11.76
3) Makiya Montgomery, Beechcroft - 11.77
4) Kya Epps, St. Vincent-St. Mary - 11.79
5) Ashley Perryman, Beachwood - 11.84
Breakdown:
With the graduation of Mia Knight, a new Division 2 short sprints sheriff must be crowned. It appears that title may fall to Ravenna's Azsah Bradley.
Bradley is the top sprinter in the division in the state so far this year with her 11.60 mark. Youngstown East's Kyndia Matlock enters as the next fastest seed and ranked athlete with Beechcroft's Makiya Montgomery occupying the next fastest slot. Montgomery placed second in 2018 and should challenge for the gold based on her experience.
It's another front-loaded event with significant separation between the top five and the rest of the field, but the finals should provide enough entertainment to satiate those looking for a tasty race to watch.
400 Meter Dash
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Ke'Aijhan Strong, Tuslaw - 56.43
2) Anna Podojil, Indian Hill - 56.44
3) Kaitlyn Clark, Rossford - 57.11
4) Lauren Carter, Bellefontaine - 57.76
5) Aminah Claxton, St. Vincent-St. Mary - 58.22
Breakdown:
Tuslaw's Ke'Aijhan Strong has remained atop the 400 rankings in Division 2 for much of the season, but it appears she has a challenger for her quarter mile crown.
After winning indoors in 2018, Strong followed it up with a victory outdoors in June in her lifetime best of 55.78. She posted her season best of 56.43 last weekend, but has Indian Hill's Anna Podojil breathing down her neck. Only 0.01 seconds separate the two!
It will be an all out battle for the win in this race this weekend and you won't want to miss it.
800 Meter Run
Top 5 Seeds:
1) Makenna Heimlich, Shelby - 2:14.64
2) Izzy Best, Woodridge - 2:16.16
3) Ella Gilson, Hawken - 2:16.43
4) Tommie Kurtz, Cloverleaf - 2:16.72
5) Caylee Phillips, Van Wert - 2:17.15
Breakdown:
Shelby's Makenna Heimlich appears to be the favorite to bring home the victory in the half mile this weekend after taking home the win indoors. Her 2:14.64 paces the field, but Woodridge's Izzy Best will be looking to take her down as she enters the meet with a 2:14.77 best.
Chagrin Falls' Catherine Coffey is the reigning champ and enters at 2:17.82, just outside the top 5 seeds. It will be hard to compete with her if she throws down the 2:13.63 that helped her win by nearly 3 seconds last year again. Hawken's Ella Gilson was that runner-up in 2:16.07.
Field Events To Watch
High Jump
Pick a name out of a hat and that is most likely who will take the Division 2 girls high jump this weekend.
Two girls (Marin Valentine and Haidyn Wamsley) enter with 5-6 clearances this spring and five more enter at 5-4 or better. The top seed on the meet sheet belongs to Rachel Jeffries, who cleared 5-5 at her region meet last weekend.
Discus
The top two throwers in Division 2 boast marks over 140 feet as Salem's Caitlyn Marx and Van Wert's Kirsten Clay will do battle in the discus. Further, Bellefontaine's Anne West (139-2) is not too far off as is Columbiana Crestview's Sidney Rambo (137-3). While no state records seem to be in danger, the discus will surely be hotly contested over the weekend.