Girls track and field watch list

ATHLETES TO WATCH

(in alphabetical order) Jasmyn Allen, Brush: A breakout junior campaign ended with getting seventh in D-I 100 hurdles at state for this returning first-team News-Herald all-star, and she’ll be eyeing much higher than that on her final go-around trying to get deeper into the 14s.

Caisja Chandler, Euclid: With one year to go, this Cincinnati recruit is one of the most accomplished D-I girls sprinters in area history, and she has a good shot at top fours again in 100 and 200, maybe even challenging for a sub-24 and the area 200 record.

Katie Engle, Gilmour: A smooth performer in 1,600 and 3,200, as the Lancers return to D-III this junior should be adept and dangerous in 4x800 and regardless what event path she takes individually on the state road.

Paige Floriea, Mentor: Not many area athletes have come in from middleschool track and field with as much hype — but when you’re coming in as an 18-plus long jump threat to high school, it’s justified.

Leah King, Perry: The returning D-II 100 hurdles state champion and first-team N-H honoree is a technical masterclass and has plenty of time to add to an already gaudy resume as she enters her junior campaign.

Mia Knight, Beachwood: This affable senior and program figurehead, who helped lead the Bison to their first state team title last spring as D-II 100 runner-up and state champion 4x100 anchor, is as good a big-meet closer as this area has ever known. Deidra Marrison, Geneva: With her 13-plus capability in pole vault, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this returning first-team N-H all-star better her

area-record 13-1 1⁄2 as a senior and make a serious top-three charge in Columbus.

Kristan Ross, Euclid: A sleeper pick for a breakout season as long as she stays healthy, this Panthers’ sophomore is intriguing in 200 and 400 — she is seemingly scratching the surface with a long, promising stride.

Leah Roter, Beachwood: If the Furman recruit is anywhere near the dominant form she showed in redefining 3,200 to earn 2017 News-Herald girls track and field athlete of the year — and granted, it’s a high bar after you break 11 six times in one season — it’s going to be another fun ride. Annie Zimmer, Chagrin Falls: With Halle McClintock off to Georgia, this senior will take over as the leader of the Tigers’ vaunted 4x800 and is also a brilliant miler who could break 5-flat when it’s all said and done with her deep skill set.

MEETS TO WATCH

Kenston Invitational (April 6); Nordonia Knight Relays (April 7); South Invitational (April 13); Perry Relays (April 14); Trinity Invitational (April 20); Ranger Relays (April 21); Beachwood Invitational (April 21); Kurt Frankel Memorial (April 21); Hilltopper Invitational (April 21); Dick Beeler Booster Invitational (April 27); Mentor Cardinal Relays (April 28); NCL meet (May 1 and 3); Euclid Relays (May 4); Mayfield Invitational (May 4); Miele Invitational (May 5); CVC Chagrin meet (May 7 and 9); WRC meet (May 10)

AT THE LINE

• Gilmour has returned to D-III and could have an intriguing team title race with Minster once Columbus rolls around. Nine of Minster’s 11 state qualifiers from its D-III team runner-up squad were underclassmen, and with the Lancers’ usual array of quality that could get interesting in June. Kirtland may have had the strangest move — now in D-II, the Hornets won’t be at the Perry District. They will instead be at Cortland Lakeview. • After winning the D-II state title each of the last two years, Chagrin Falls has to reload in 4x8 after the graduation of program great McClintock and dependable relay leg Hailey Lowe. Having Zimmer back is a pretty good place to start, and Catherine Coffey impressed as a sophomore a year ago. Tigers distance coach Clay Burnett is one of Ohio’s best at his craft and will assuredly have Chagrin ready for another state quest. • Two of this area’s premier two-milers — Beaumont’s Ashley Rulison and Chardon’s Denali Selent — will be seeking better fortune after less-than-ideal state meets in 2017 in the event. Both added time from fine regional runs the week prior — but with their respective skill sets, the now-juniors have a great chance to fare better in 2018. • Following in the footsteps of Courtney Reese and Ashley West, the next standout 400 runner to defy the odds without a home track representing Cornerstone Christian has arrived to the high school ranks. Freshman Abby Suszek made an impression by taking third in the D-II/III 400 with a 58.01 at state indoor. Albeit among a fairly young D-III state finalist group coming back from 2017, a sub-58 could be enough to get into the top four at state outdoors as well. • As always, there are plenty of candidates to be forces this spring beyond the most familiar area hammers. As Gilmour moves to D-III, Lucia Cannata will seek a state return individually in sprints in addition to her solid work on relays. Mentor’s Sarah Lane, younger sister of Cardinals’ program staple and now-Michigan freshman Emma Lane, was clearly starting to figure out the complexity of 800 by the postseason a year ago and should be faster this season. Also keep an eye on Beachwood’s Ashaunti Griffin (400), Geneva’s Cheyanne Santiago (400), Kirtland’s Jenna Sayle (800) and Madison’s Shyanne Ledford (high jump).