SPRINTS
Andale's girls have Maddie Schrandt & Betsy Reichenberger in the sprints. Together, they are the top returners in the 100, 200, & 400. Emma Lohse of Louisburg could shine in the shorter sprints as well.
The boys side sees the sensational return of Chanute's Rawley Chard, who won all 3 sprints last season. With a lot of last year's medalists graduating, his teammate Ty Leedy could score highly, too. PJ McCallop from Bishop Miege is a tough speedster, too, particularly as the sprints get longer.
JUMPS
Maggie Kauk from Paola is the primary contender in the horizontal jumps. She won the long and was third in the triple last year. Emery Keebaugh from Ottawa looks to repeat as triple jump champ, though. Andale rules the vertical side, though, with Claire Rowland looking to take over in the pole vault and Lexie Horsch defending her high jump title.
Lots of this year's boys jumpers are combo-athletes, also scoring in sprints or hurdles. Chase Hyer from Fort Scott breaks that mold as a high jump specialist. Teagan Cobb of Rose Hill is a terror on the long jump runway as well as the high hurdles. Buhler's Tavian Gilliam can both high and triple jump at the state level, while Parsons has a handful of jumpers that could score. Lastly, Eudora's Kole Manley leads a loaded field of returning pole vaulters.
THROWS
The Fairchild family rules 4A throws, so it should come as no surprise that McKenzie Fairchild will likely bring home 30 points for Andale, just like last year. Paola can certainly score in the throws as well, with Jade Meade and Kena Leonard each bringing in medals last year.
Andale is scary-good at the boys throws, too. Riley Marx, Jackson Kraus, Jonah Meyer, and Noah Bruce. Between the four of them, they hold the top two spots in every throwing event, and will be the backbone of their title hunt.
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DISTANCE
All the girls from last year are back for another round. Seriously, aside from Abby Veile of Independence (5th in the 800 last year), EVERY medalist returns in the distance events. Hayley Trotter of Clearwater is a machine in the 800/1600. Her 3200 is elite as well, despite not running it at state last year. Elyssa Frieze of Chapman was the champion instead, and will be a heavy favorite over Eudora's Hanna Keltner & Sydney Owens.
In opposite fashion, it feels like everyone's gone from the boys side. Over half of last year's state competitors were seniors, including state record-holder Tanner Newkirk. Eli Gilmore, the XC champion, will be a big favorite in the 800/1600. He doesn't have much history with the 3200, though, so Wamego's Brady Stegman or Emery Wolfe could make a run at that race, along with Eudora's Zachary Arnold.
HURDLES
Major news for the girls on this one: Annalisa Cullens transferred from Wellington to Hutchinson. The 2022 champion in both hurdles events heads off to 6A, leaving the door open to 4 athletes who seek to take her place: Caylin Seely (Buhler), Piper Camp (Andale), Madison Williams & Kenzy McArtor (both of Clearwater).
Not much crossover between the two hurdle events on the boys side. Augusta's Thomas Johnson & Andale's Kelby Eck have a chance to score in both, but that might be it. Jake Muller (Hayden) is a major returner in the 300s, while Louisburg's Mason Dobbins was the highest-finishing non-senior last year.
RELAYS
Andale's girls will have another elite squad in the 4x100 and 4x400. Abilene could give them a run in either one, though. McPherson brings back a lot from their runner-up 4x400 as well. The 4x800 will be ruled by Eudora. The Cardinals bring back their top 3 from last year's dominant championship team.
Chanute could have the best 4x100 in all classes. They have 4 seniors that can fly. Hayden & Eudora both bring back solid 4x400 groups. Eudora has 3 seniors and a junior, while Hayden has to replace one from last year but had a fabulous showing from now-sophomore Jensen Schrickel on the anchor leg. The 4x800 is between Wamego and Tonganoxie at the moment, with the Red Raiders bringing back 3 of 4 to defend their title, and Tonganoxie bringing everyone back from the runner-up team.