10 Lock Picks
When we say these are lock picks we mean you can take them to the bank. Though there are a lot of favorites competing this weekend, these are the ones who are just too good to stop. We have ranked them in order from strongest lock to weakest lock but to make this list we are definitely over 90% sure they're the one to beat.
1. Taylor Beard (4A) High Jump
Taylor is VA #2 all-time in this event and only the second girl over 6' ever in VA. She will likely win the event on her opening height.
2. Gennifer Hirata (5A) Pole Vault
Gennifer like Taylor could potentially win the event on her first opening height attempt. Gennifer though owns the state record in this event at 14' and doesn't have another competitor around her for nearly two feet. The PV is a little more technical than the high jump and that's why she is number two.
3. Shadajah Ballard (6A) 100mH
Shadajah was you indoor national champion in this event and is looking to take down the state record this weekend or next. She should run away with this title but needs a clean race to make sure.
4. Jabari Blake (3A) Discus
Jabari is seeded a staggering 32' feet ahead of any other thrower in his competition and could actually launch one close to the state record. His season best of 191 ranks VA #6 all-time and oh yeah, he has won 12 discus competitions in a row now too.
5. Jamar Coles (2) Long Jump
Jamar enters the state meet this weekend with a super impressive 23-7 best in the long jump. That jump is 14 inches further than any of his competitors so he should have a lot of cushion this weekend. He does however still need to come to compete.
6. Molly Rhudy (1A) Long Jump
Just like Jamar, Molly has a 14 inch lead heading into the state meet. Her season best of 18-5.25 puts her in contention to not only win the title but also set the state meet record way further than anyone thought possible for Group 1. She is the real deal.
7. Kurt Powdar (6A) 110mH
Kurt is the defending national champion in this event... yes, national champion. He owns a season best of 13.70 and a personal best of 13.59. The only reason he isn't number one on this list is because his teammate Aaron Shirley is also running out of his mind and comes into the meet seeded second at 13.81
8. Christiansburg Boys (3A) 4x800m Relay
They won indoors without Mills on their squad and outdoors they will look to do the same. Without him on their team it makes a 7-8 seconds difference but they are so much faster than their competition they still hold a 5-6 second lead in that race without Mills. Plus this race matters a lot for the team points so they will be gunning for the win.
9. William Spencer (5A) 300mH
He has run some insanely fast times, like historically fast, and we don't expect that to stop this weekend. He enters the state meet almost as a two second favorite with his 37.08 seed. His personal best of 36.65 though ranks VA #14 all-time.
10. Britton Wilson (5A) 400
Britton is the state record holder in this event so there is no need to worry but she does face some stiff competition. She will definitely have to run 53 second or faster to win but she also does own a PR of 52.09 so that shouldn't be too much to ask for.