Track & field storylines, athletes to watch
With the winter high school sports season recently ending, it’s time to take a look at spring sports in Oklahoma.
Track and field is always a great one to keep an eye on, and the Oklahoma City metro area is filled with impressive athletes and teams.
Here are three storylines and 15 athletes to watch during the 2023 Oklahoma high school track and field season.
Top track & field storylines
Piedmont boys shooting for another stellar season. The Wildcats claimed their first boys track title in school history last season after finishing as the runners-up in 2021. Piedmont’s middle and long distance runners played a big role last year, and after its cross country program won a state title in the fall, it remains a team to watch.
Who will emerge in Class 6A? The Westmoore boys are the two-time defending champions, but the Jaguars lost several stars to graduation. On the girls side, Jenks has claimed two straight championships. It’ll be interesting to see what teams emerge this season in a talented classification. Who will become the top male sprinter in Class 6A? Tulsa Union’s Jayden Rowe won Class 6A titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes last year, but he’s now in OU’s football program. Norman’s Devin Alexander placed second in the 100 last year and will be an athlete to watch. There’s also Moore’s Brayden Clark, who placed fourth in the 100 and third in the 200.
Boys track & field athletes to watch
Devin Alexander, Jr., Norman: One of the top sprinters in the state, Alexander is the defending Class 6A runner-up in the 100.
Andy Bass, Jr., Heritage Hall: Bass quarterbacked Heritage Hall in the fall and led the Chargers to the Class 3A title. A star sprinter, he’ll try to have some more success this spring after placing third in the 100 at the state meet last year. Josh Cherry, Sr., Edmond Memori
al: He’s one of the top returning athletes for Class 6A Edmond Memorial, which is off to a strong start to the season. Cherry will look to contend for state titles in the distance runs after placing second at the state cross country meet for the second straight season.
Aiden Edwards, Jr., Mustang: He was dominant in the 110 hurdles at the Class 6A state meet last year, finishing 1.09 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor with a time of 14.86.
Taylor Heim, Sr., Bethany: The OU football signee is also an elite long jumper. He claimed the Class 4A championship in the event last year.
Owen Kinzer, Sr., Moore: He was the Class 6A runner-up in the pole vault as a junior and is looking to again be a top contender for a title.
Tyson Ritz, Sr., Deer Creek: He was named to The Oklahoman’s All-City track and field first team as a high jumper last season. He placed third at the Class 6A state meet.
Girls track & field athletes to watch
Jordan Atkinson, So., Southmoore: The daughter of Southmoore coach and former OU star sprinter Shannon Atkinson, Jordan is the defending Class 6A champion in the 100.
Maggie Bookout, Sr., OKC Storm: An OU signee, she competes for a homeschool program and won’t be able to take part in the state meet. But Bookout will be at events throughout the season and will likely dominate the shot put and discus. An All-American, Bookout is the daughter of former OU baseball star Casey Bookout.
Savanna Meek, Jr., Crossings Christian: She’s a two-time Class 3A champion in the 100 hurdles.
Emmanuella Njenje, Sr., Edmond Santa Fe: A sprinter, she’s had a strong start to the year, solidifying herself as a Class 6A title contender.
Kayvon Nubine, Jr., Edmond Memorial: She’s coming off a stellar season in which she won the Class 6A title in the 100 hurdles.
Molly Starrett, Sr., Edmond North: She claimed the Class 6A championship in the pole vault last year.
Kinidi Taylor, Sr., Crescent: The Oklahoma State signee won her second straight Class 2A title in the long jump last season and was the state’s best, regardless of class.
Kassidi Watkins, So., Mustang: She had an outstanding freshman season and claimed the Class 6A championship in the long jump. Watkins also placed sixth in the 100 and 200.