The 2023-24 school year may be winding down, but the OHSAA girls track postseason is about to start.
District tournaments open this week for girls track and field. Welcome Stadium in Dayton will host the state meet May 30 to June 1, and there are plenty of Greater Akron athletes seeking a state championship.
Who could achieve their goals? Here's a list of Greater Akron's top 10 girls state title hopefuls:
Kate Archer, Tallmadge, sr., pole vault
Best previous state finish: Sixth place in 2023 Division II pole vault
Why she could win a title: Beware the power of pink sunglasses. Archer has already shattered her own school and Suburban League American Conference records and is pushing to clear 13 feet. Doing so would make her a huge favorite in Dayton.
Jayla Atkinson, Stow, sr., 800 meters
Best previous state finish: 2023 Division I state champion in 800
Why she could win a title: Atkinson is a gamer . The University of Kentucky recruit turns up in big meets, and none was bigger than winning last year's 800 meters title despite a lightning delay at the state meet.
Tianna Burton, Buchtel, sr., sprints
Best previous state finish: Multiple-time All-Ohioan in sprint relays.
Why she could win a title: Burton won the City Series title in the 100 and is a senior leader of the Griffins always-dangerous sprint crew. She would love to finish her career with relay and individual gold.
More high school track and field: OHSAA track and field: Akron area's 10 boys with best chance to win a state championship
Morgan Hallett, Norton, sr., shot put/discus
Best previous state finish: Two-time Division II state champion in discus and shot put
Why she/he could win a title: Hallett has won four state titles already . What more needs said? The Ohio State recruit is thinking more than state gold; she's thinking of state records.
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Nye'Reonna Kimble, North, sr., 200
Best previous state finish: Fourth in 2022 Division II 200 with St. Vincent-St. Mary
Why she could win a title: Kimble reached the Division I state meet last year with the Vikings, but finished off the podium. Another year of Division I competition could fuel her to the top.
Sierra Podolan, Highland, sr., shot put/discus
Best previous state finish: Sixth in 2023 Division I shot put
Why she/he could win a title: After an All-Ohio finish last year, Podolan wants to compete at state in both throwing disciplines. Although she reached the podium in shot, she might be stronger in discus.
Reese Reaman, Woodridge, sr., 800/1,600
Best previous state finish: State runner-up in 800 and 3,200 relay at 2023 state meet; third place in 1,600
Why she/he could win a title: The reigning Division II state cross country champion wants a few more gold medals before running off to Bowling Green. Reaman has shown she can perform on the biggest stage.
Katie Schuler, Highland, fr., 1,600/3,200
Best previous state finish: None.
Why she/he could win a title: Schuler might be this year's freshman phenom. She swept the distance titles against loaded fields at the Suburban League American Conference meet and her confidence is growing.
Savannah Swanda, Twinsburg, sr., sprints
Best previous state finish: 12th in 200 at 2022 Division I state meet; All-Ohio in multiple relays
Why she could win a title: Swanda has been a fixture on Twinsburg's state sprint team since she was a freshman. She won the 100, 200 and 400 at the National Conference meet in a display of sprint dominance.
Kylee Zamecnik, CVCA, so., long jump
Best previous state finish: Eighth in 2023 Division II long jump
Why she/he could win a title: After being All-Ohio last year, Zamecnik won the long jump and triple jump titles at the state indoor meet. If she puts up the kind of numbers she did in the indoor season, Zamecnik could be the favorite in the long jump.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA track and field: Akron area's 10 girls with best chance to win a state championship
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