Taylor Grimes (Bishop McNamara)
The second fastest returning athlete in the state of Maryland for the girls 55 meter hurdles in Bishop McNamara junior Taylor Grimes, who will be racing in her specialty on Friday at the Real Deal Classic in Hampton. Grimes owns an 8.15 personal best in the event, which will seed her second fastest in the meet behind only Jada Terrell of Western Branch (VA) with an 8.11 best.
Likely in the finals if she qualifies, Grimes will have to deal with two top hurdlers from the Virginia powerhouse program Western Branch in Terrell and teammate Shadajah Ballard (8.35). Meet record in the event is 8.02, set last year by Western Branch grad Faith Ross. Grimes certainly has an opportunity this weekend to establish a fast early season state leading time, which could be tough for others to topple over the first few weeks of December.
Grimes is also an outstanding long jumper, which she will be trying to best another Maryland star in the competition in Elizabeth Seton's Jacqueline Simmons as the 3rd seed at 17'6.50". Simmons has the better personal best of 18'1", but Grimes did finish ahead of her in their last head-to-head encounter at the WCAC Championships in the long jump.