A year ago, Andale swept the podium for the second time in three years. The Indians are favored to do it again, with the girls projected to dismantle the 4A field and the boys needing a big day to hold off the field. Louisburg, the 2021 boys champions in 4A, are back again to shoot for a title, while Wamego is having one of their best seasons ever and will be in the race as well.
MileSplit's Picks: Andale's girls and Louisburg's boys
In the individual events, Andale's throws are as good as it gets. Riley Marx, Jackson Kraus, Cooper Marx, and Jonah Meyer will combine score upwards of 50 in the three events. Mckenzie Fairchild and Emery May will hold up the girls' end of the bargain.
On the track, the big story of the meet may be Tonganoxie's Eli Gilmore. He will attempt the legendary 400-800-1600-3200 quadruple. He holds 4A's best marks in each event throughout the season. Wamego will throw everything they have at him, with Brady Stegman, Harrison Cutting, and Jonathan Cutting taking him on in the 1600, 800, and 400 respectively.
With that kind of power in those events, you can expect Wamego's 4x400 and 4x800 to be elite. Hayden also has elite relays, leading the state in the 4x100 and having one of the best 4x400s in all classes. Abilene could challenge the Red Raiders in the 4x800 as well.
4A Girls Rankings | 4A Boys Rankings
Mason Dobbins is a star for Louisburg. He will compete in the 200, 110 hurdles, high jump, and a relay. The multi-talented senior will likely score in all four events. Chanute's Rawley Chard and Bishop Miege's Lamar Lynch Jr will also feature in the sprints. Teagan Cobb (Rose Hill), Judah Bowell (Abilene), and Jake Muller (Hayden) will headline the hurdle events.
In the jumps, keep an eye on Coffeyville-Field Kindley's Dontae Boykins. He has the top season-long marks in both horizontal jumps, but Buhler's Tavian Gilliam will be tough to beat in the triple.
Clearwater's Hayley Trotter has been a powerhouse in the distance events for the last few years
(Photo by Joe Godina)
For the girls, Andale isn't just the best team, they have some of the best individuals. We've already mentioned their throwers, but don't forget about Maddie Schrandt in the sprints. She headlines their relays, along with being the top seed in the 200 & 400.
Clearwater's Madison Williams is one of the best hurdlers across all divisions. Her teammate Kenzy McArtor will bring a solid second punch in those events, too. Meanwhile, Hayley Trotter will bring in some distance points for Clearwater as the top seed in the 800 and 1600.
Louisburg has great pole vaulters on both sides, with Maddy Carpenter-Ross the top seed for the girls and Caden Caplinger & Cooper Wingfield favorites for the boys.
In the horizontal jumps, Ottawa's Emery Keebaugh is the girl to beat, having substantially superior marks throughout the season.
Class 4A will begin with the afternoon session on Friday, May 26.