Each season there are new names and familiar names doing big things alike. Here are some of the names we've compiled so far that we think all have a chance to win state, national, and the athlete of the year titles.
Sprinters
You have to start this list with national record holder, Sophie Rambo (Grassfield). She will be tough to beat in almost any category. Joining her are Laura Fiegel (The St. James Academy) and Imani Moore (Varina). Both of them have a ton of talent and if they get in the right race with a perfect start... anything can happen.
Also in the sprint field-adjacent is multi-event star Rylee Coates. She is used to tallying up over 40 points herself at the state meet so don't forget to watch those Class 1 state results too.
On the boys side for sprinters you have New Balance National Champion and Freshman National Record Holder, Steffon Lyon (The St. James Academy) leading the way. His speed at 200... as a freshman...is insane! Sub 21 is legit. If he continues this trajectory, people won't be talking about Quincy or Tate, they'll be talking about Steffon.
Joining Steffon are some more experienced sprinters who have tallied up the accolades. Those include Cameron Bowser of Bishop O'Connell and Josh Johnson of Freedom who both are in the top 10 all-time in their best events. They will need to look towards select invitationals to focus on their best events as both will be vying for team titles and spread thinner at their championship meets.
Hurdlers
Two hurdlers have emerged as the ones to beat and both boast some serious speed. In the high hurdles you have Joshua-Kai Smith (Freedom) who also will be in contention for the 100m state title and then in the intermediate hurdles you have Davian Booker (Massaponax) who already won the state titles in the 300 and 500m dashes indoors.
Distance
We truly are at the peak for VA distance right now. We have a combination of superstars and depth that we have never seen before. What this does is causes some great athletes to fight it out and split state titles and accolades. That being said, it limits us on who we think could rise to the "superstar" level in the distance races... simply because there are too many great athletes to list them all.
Here are some though that we think could separate themselves from the field.
For girls it really is just one right now, once again not discrediting others who are equally as good. That athlete is Charlottesville's Elaina Pierce. She is looking unstoppable from the 5K all the way to the 800 with speed and endurance to boot.
She is joined by Class 6 rivals Trent Daniels (Gainesville) and Henry Birge (Patriot), national record holder Cole Boone (Pulaski), and Auburn's Kebryl Chandler. All four of these guys could win one or multiple state titles and fight for a national title in June as well. They all are really that good.
Field Events
All four of these athletes are state champions and boast undefeated streaks that are quite impressive. In the jumps you have Michailyn Rose (Nansemond River) who is a multi-event superstar and Arkansas Commit and this indoor season did the triple-triple by winning the Class 5 State Title, New Balance National Title, and the adidas Nationals Title in the triple jump.
Joining her on the boys side are three throwers. You will get to see Kobi Bonds (Auburn), James Craig (Western Branch), and Christopher Hwang (Chantilly) all look to defend their titles and chase state records.
Each season there are new names and familiar names doing big things alike. Here are some of the names we've compiled so far that we think all have a chance to win state, national, and the athlete of the year titles.
Sprinters
You have to start this list with national record holder, Sophie Rambo (Grassfield). She will be tough to beat in almost any category. Joining her are Laura Fiegel (The St. James Academy) and Imani Moore (Varina). Both of them have a ton of talent and if they get in the right race with a perfect start... anything can happen.
Also in the sprint field-adjacent is multi-event star Rylee Coates. She is used to tallying up over 40 points herself at the state meet so don't forget to watch those Class 1 state results too.
