One of the most exciting things in our sport is getting to see freshmen rise up on the big stage and win a state title. It is fairly rare that it happens and when it does it is one of the coolest things to see. Here are some of the freshmen who could have won a state title outdoors.
Jaden Ferguson (Fluvanna County) Class 3
Jaden finished 3rd in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump indoors and owns PR's of 21-10.5 and 44-1.5. Though those marks are not outright distances that can win, being a freshman we believe he could have gone 22-5 and 46-0 which are definitely distances that can win a state title. Remember this name because he is on the up & up.
Hannah Edwards (Isle of Wight) VISAA D2
The sole VISAA frosh we believe could have won outdoors is Hannah. She finished the indoor season as the D2 leader in both the 300 and 500 and actually finished 3rd overall in the 500m dash. Indoors though VISAA runs both divisions together so when you get to outdoors it is just your division. That means the path would have been cleared for her in the 400, an event that seems ideal to her skills.
Micayah Holland (Princess Anne) Class 5
Micayah is just one of three on this list to have already won a state title. She was the Class 5 indoor state champion in the 55m dash and that means the 100m dash could have been her next title. She has the speed and ability to win it. Most interestingly, she doesn't even focus all of her time on track indoors since she is also on the state champion basketball team. Outdoors would have been her sole focus so who knows what could have been possible.
Madison Whyte (Heritage-NN) Class 4
Madison is another one of the freshmen to win a state title and outdoors she may have won three. Yes, we totally believe she could have taken home the sprint triple crown (100-200-400). It is quite upsetting as well because she could have become the first athlete in VA history to win the triple crown all four years. She could still become the first to do it more than once.
Makenna Clay (Patrick Henry-GS) Class 1
One school with a history of producing state champions across the board is Patrick Henry (Glade-Spring). Mark Love, their coach, has no speciality except for winning. They produce great distance runners, great sprinters, and great field event athletes as well. Makenna seems to fit the mold and with a personal best of 15-8 in the long jump she could seriously fight for the Class 1 title. She would need to be closer to 16-5 but being a frosh it seems that that jump is just one great attempt away from happening.
Alli Crytser (Hanover) Class 4
The final girl on this list who has already won a state title is Alli. She excelled in XC and indoors broke thru by winning the 3200m title. She has to face off with very tough competition considering Loudoun Valley and Blacksburg are in her classification but was able to take home the victory after finishing 2nd in the 1600 earlier that day. Alli would probably lean towards the 3200 as well outdoors as her best shot.
Nyah Harrison (Nansemond) Class 5
Nyah came scary close to winning a state title indoors in the 500 and outdoors we think she could have done it. This girl has some raw talent and it is only a matter of time until she breaks thru and wins the big one and in our opinion we don't think we'll have to wait long.
Kennedy Chapman (Hickory) Class 5
Another girl with a whole lot of talent in Class 5 is Kennedy Chapman of Hickory. She owns a personal best of 17-9.25 which is right on the cusp of winning distance. She would need to be closer to 18-5 but being a freshman means she has a lot of room to grow. One jump is all it would have taken.