The track and field state championships get underway on Thursday for the state’s smaller schools at Hayward Field in Eugene.
Here’s a quick preview of the Class 2A track and field state championships:
Boys: 3 to Watch
400
A quartet of quarter-milers led by Salem Academy senior Noah Dettwyler at 50.39 are within 32-hundredths of a second, with juniors Andrew Kempenich of Portland Christian and Don Ware of Central Linn and Vernonia senior Wyatt Miller close behind.
Shot put
Defending champion Parker Stevens of Knappa has 2A’s top two throws this spring, but close behind him is Weston-McEwen junior Jace Dunlap, who’s peaking at the right time after throwing a personal-best 47-1½ to win district last week.
Pole vault
Bandon sophomore Noah Brown and East Linn Christian junior Hank Davidson have each cleared 13-7 this season, but Gaston senior Tyler Harlow is right behind with a 13-5 ¾ clearance to win the District 1 title.
Boys: 3 to Cheer
Wyatt Jacobson, Knappa, junior
He has four runner-up OSAA medals hanging from his mantle — two from the 3,000, one from last year’s 1,500, and one from this year’s 2A/1A state cross country meet. With Clayton Wilson (last year’s 1,500 and 3K titlist) out of the picture — he’s now at 3A Siuslaw — will this finally be Jacobson’s time?
Oli Beauregard, Delphian, sophomore
He is the state leader in the 110 and 300 hurdles and also won the District 1 title in the 100. If he were to win all three this weekend, he’d become the first to accomplish the feat at the 2A meet.
Landon Reid, Columbia Christian, junior
A year ago, Reid set the 1A sophomore record in the discus on his way to a third-place finish at state. This year, his best throw of 155-8 from last week’s district meet is 19 feet farther than anyone else in the field.
Girls: 3 to Watch
100
Bandon teammates Makenna Vierck and Marley Petrey are 1-2 in the state rankings, with Petrey the defending state champion in the event. Petrey won their latest duel at the District 3 meet.
100 hurdles
Weston-McEwen sophomore Addy Hall owns the state lead from a month ago, but Portland Christian junior Mili Estrada is within three-hundredths after her win at the District 1 meet, with East Linn Christian sophomore June Cowan close behind.
Shot put
Three throwers within a feet of each other — Grant Union senior Morgan Walker, Monroe junior Audrey Young and Illinois Valley freshman Saray Mendoza — coming into the state meet.
Girls: 3 to Cheer
Daisy Lalonde, East Linn Christian, senior
Lalonde will be going for her third consecutive sweep of the 1,500 and 3,000 titles, which would give her eight OSAA gold medals — she won her second 3A/2A/1A cross country title in meet-record time in November.
Tia Allen, Kennedy, senior
Allen moved to No. 2 on the all-time 2A list in the discus with her 11-foot personal-best throw of 149-4 at last week’s District 2 meet. Now, she’ll look to capture her first state title.
Averie Peterson, Santiam, senior
Last year, Peterson won state titles in two events that would seem diametric opposites — the 800 and triple jump. She’ll return to Hayward the state leader in both events while also contesting the 1,500 on Friday.
More Oregon high school sports
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Class 1A events, athletes to watch out for at the upcoming track and field state championships
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Class 3A events, athletes to watch out for at the upcoming track and field state championships
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Playoff rewind: Results from Monday’s first round softball state tournament games
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Class 2A events, athletes to watch out for at the upcoming track and field state championships
Class 2A events, athletes to watch out for at the upcoming track and field state championships
Class 2A events, athletes to watch out for at the upcoming track and field state championships