Girls 2011-2012 indoor track preview

TOP 5 TEAMS

1. Western Branch

The Bruins nearly scored 100 points and won the state meet by 55 points. This season they could top the century mark as they return five athletes who will help them dominate in the sprints and hurdles.

2. Landstown

The Eagles will finish in the top five at state this season. Tanisha Green was the state champion in the 300 meters last year, while Jumper Briana Taliaferro was all-state in the long jump and Leah Lott will contend in the 55 hurdles.

3. Ocean Lakes

The Dolphins, who placed second at the state cross country meet last month, will be led by the trio of Audrey Batzel, Nicole Park and Olivia Bethune.

4. Grassfield

The Grizzlies placed fourth at the state meet last season. They should place high again this season, led by defending state shot put champion Kiara Howell.

5. Churchland

The Truckers are led by Khadeja Kearney – fifth in the 300 meters at the state meet last season.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Kearney, Manderville lead Truckers Churchland has enough talent to make things interesting at the Group AAA state meet, led by Khadeja Kearney and Essence Manderville in the sprints and jumps. Shanice Dolson, Kanitra Hatton, Donae’ Elliott and Ty’Shalia Baker also will contribute.

Falcons welcome back Lacey Cox is led by junior Chenera Lacey, who was seventh in the high jump at the state meet. She also competes in the 55 hurdles. Megan Leszcynski will help the Falcons in the 1,000 and 1,600 meters.

Youth, experience boost Pats First Colonial has a nucleus of good young sprinters. But the Patriots also have distance runner Morgan Anderson, who was 48th at the state cross country meet, and jumpers Brianna White and Tasia Baxter.

Grizzlies look balanced Grassfield will be well-rounded, with talent in the sprints, distance races and throws. Hannah Gray was all-district, all-region and placed 30th at state cross country meet. And thrower Kiara Howell has won three state titles.

Distance runners pace Hawks Hickory will be strong in distance races. The Hawks are led by freshman Rachel Kling, the Southeastern District cross country champion. Other distance runners to watch are Rachel Kissel, Rene Vanhooijdonk and Denaya Wolterding. Madison Midgette, who was a state qualifier in the high jump, will compete in the jumps and sprints.

Braves led by veterans Indian River has a talented group of upperclassmen led by distance runner Shannon Morton and sprinters Andrea Wright, Desiree Cuffee, Ciara Rainey and Ebony White.

Jumpers highlight Chiefs Kempsville is led by jumpers Alexia Vonner, Jessica Owens and Jen Burris.

Cavaliers welcome back sister duo Lakeland coach Kevin Knight said it should be an exciting season this year thanks to the addition of several new athletes. The Cavaliers are led by sisters Alexis and Jamee Albright.

Quartet leads Eagles Landstown will once again be one of the top teams in the state this season. They are led by hurdler Leah Lott, jumper Briana Taliaferro and sprinters Tanisha Green and Ammeecha Thomas.

Versatile star back for Bulldogs Norfolk Academy won’t have the depth to compete with some of the state’s top private school teams but the Bulldogs will be talented. They are led by multi-event specialist Tyler Bannister who won the state high jump title and also hurdles, throws, jumps and competes in the pole vault.

Senior pair paces Ambassadors Norfolk Christian is rebuilding this season. The Ambassadors will lean on senior sprinter Kathleen Layman and senior distance runner Bethany Barclay.

Greyhounds duo returns Norcom is led by sprinter Jasmine Stith and thrower Daysha Casper.

Pilots’ Scott among returners Norview will be led by junior Shandell Scott, who last season placed 14th in the long jump at the state indoor meet. Other Pilots to watch are sprinters Jayde Gregory and Alxis Tyree. The 3,200 relay also will be competitive with Briana Dejarnet and Armecia Rowe.

Sprinters lead SunDevils Salem once again has some good sprinters. This season seniors Justice Seward and Analysas Isaac will lead the SunDevils. Seward was a state qualifier in the 55 meters last season.

Lions have all-state runner back Tallwood has a well-rounded team with sprinters Jessica Ewing, Jasmine Hankins and Jada Gundran. Ewing was all-state in the 300 meters and Hankins was a state qualifier in the 55 meters. Pole vaulter Taylor Szeligowski was a region qualifier.

Bruins ready for another run Western Branch has the talent to win another state title. The Bruins return Tiffany Ellick, the defending state indoor long jump champion, and Taranisha Taylor, who placed fourth in the 55 hurdles and fifth in the 55 meters at the state meet. The Bruins also have Javette Lee, Shamia Lassiter, Alana Calhoun and Jamesha Richard, who will give the Bruins tremendous depth in the sprints and hurdles.