Photo by Chuck James
One of the great aspects of the sport of track and field is that progression is easily tracked - just look at the times and performances. Today we take a look at six athletes who have taken their game to a new level so far this spring. Then vote for your choice below!
Alexandra Banham: The Mount Hebron junior has been on a mission so far this outdoor season, becoming the first girl in Maryland to go under 2:20 in the 800 when she won the Pikesville Track Classic. Her outdoor personal best before that performance? 2:24 during her freshman season. She may be the top challenger to Nyjari McNeil (who holds the current MD #1) at the state meet.
Molly Barrick: Barrick emerged as the senior leader of a Northern team that dominated during cross country, and carried the momentum into the track season. She ran over a minute and a half faster in the 5K at the Seahawk Invitational than she did as a junior in 2016, and could soon surpass her 1500 time (5:04.82) from last year in the 1600 as well.
Sierra Butler: Butler is the only girl to clear 5'2 this season who didn't reach 4'10 last year. That's not the only side to her game, however; she also improved her shot put from 31'5.50 last year to 36'1 so far this season. Having thrown over 100 feet in the discus last year as a freshman, Butler is one of the top all-around athletes in the SMAC.
A.J. Davis: Davis has come out of nowhere this season to rise to the top of the rankings in both the shot put and discus. She set personal bests at the Scorpion Invitational where she won the shot put (42'5) and was second in the discus (120'1). Davis currently ranks in the top five in both events, and leads all sophomores and private school athletes.
Karryngton Harrison: A transfer to Friendly High School has elevated her to the ranks of the elite hurdlers in the state. In her first season running the 55 hurdles she upset defending state champion Sydney Williams at the state meet and came out looking strong at the Central Invitational in March.
Izzy Kintzley: After a strong sophomore indoor season, Kintzley missed much of the 2016 outdoor season. She returned strong this past winter, however, forming a 1-2 mid-distance punch with sophomore Emily Knight. She ran 57.87 in just her second 400 of the season, and could give the Severna Park girls one of the top duos in the event for the next two years.