500 Meter Dash
Most families will only have one athlete with a shot at a state title next week. The Kamekas? That's a different story. Both Melissa (above) and Samantha have won titles already in the 4x800 and will be shooting for their first individual state championships in the 500. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
| Athlete | Season Best | Regional Performance |
| Melissa Kameka, Damascus | 1:16.91 (MoCo Champs) | 1:21.30 (3rd, 2AW) |
| Allison Zolkiewicz, South Carroll | 1:18.58 (2A West Regionals) | 1:18.58 (1st, 2AW) |
| Samantha Kameka, Damascus | 1:18.60 (MoCo Champs) | 1:19.93 (2nd, 2AW) |
| Sydney Robinson, River Hill | 1:18.97 (MoCo Invite) | 1:21.05 (2nd, 2AE) |
| Emily Lewis, North Caroline | 1:20.26 (2A East Regionals) | 1:20.26 (1st, 2AE) |
| Kara Schmidt, Hereford | 1:20.58 (Frostbite Invite) | 1:22.90 (1st, 2AC*) |
| Ever Elegon, Seneca Valley | 1:20.68 (MoCo Champs) | 1:22.73 (4th, 2AW) |
The Kameka sisters, Melissa and Samantha, have been familiar faces at the state meet since their freshman season in the winter of 2016. One advantage they may have in the 500 next Monday is the fact that many of the other top runners, including Zolkiewicz, Robinson and Emily Lewis, will have run the 300 not long before. The last time that twin siblings finished in the top three at the state meet was in 2013, when the Dorsey brothers (David and Kevin) went 2-3 in the 2A 3200.
Running multiple races doesn't seem to bother Allison Zolkiewicz, however, which she proved by winning the 300, 500 and 800 at the 2A West Regionals. North Caroline's Emily Lewis won the 500 at the 2A East Regionals over Robinson, as well, so there's plenty of potential for the entire first heat to be in the race with a lap to go.