Class 4A girls
Jai’lyn and Dai’lyn Merriweather, Union — Before they take off to run at the University of Maryland, the twins have their eyes on making it a three-peat apiece. Jai’lyn (400) and Dai’lyn (200) are the two-time defending state champions in their respective events.
Union’s relays — The quartet of Brooklyn Jackson, Makayla Woods, and the Merriweathers could re-write the record books come Saturday. Their 1:39.22 time in the 800 from April’s Oregon Relays is one-tenth off the all-time state time set in 1983 by Garfield (1:39.12). Their 3:50.30 time in the 1,600, coming just last week at bi-districts, was just six-tenths off the state’s all-time top time of 3.49.60, set by Sammamish in 1978.
Madison Peffers, Camas — Five-feet-6 is the top mark in Class 4A girls high jump this spring, and Peffers is right behind at 5-5, achieved last week at bi-districts. She enters state with the top seed.
Class 3A girls
Meri Dunford, Prairie — Hard to believe this is her first year in track and field, isn’t it? Fresh off bi-district titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, the freshman is quickly making a name for herself in distance running.
Erika Strait, Mountain View — One of two freshman in the 3A girls high jump competition, Strait set a personal-best 5-foot-3 jump at bi-districts last week. That’s third-best entering state.
Vanessa Brunkow, Evergreen — A surprise 100 hurdles bi-district champion looks to make a big impression at the state meet in her first season running the hurdles.
Class 2A
Julia Stepper, Woodland — Looks to close out her Beavers career with her first state title. Owns the fastest 100 time (11.95 seconds) and top long jump mark (18-3) in 2A.
Ellie Walker, Columbia River — How special would it be for Walker to go out a state champion in two sports? After helping the Chieftains capture the 2A soccer title in the fall, she’s seeking her first 100 hurdles state title, and has the top seed time (14.99).
Class 4A boys
Conner Jensen, Skyview — The future Concordia (Portland) University thrower has two consecutive weeks of personal-bests in the shot put, including 61-10 1/2 at bi-districts. Expect a showdown with South Kitsap’s Nolan Van Amen in both the shot and discus for the state title.
Daniel Maton, Camas — The sophomore continues to impress after lowering his season-best times in his speciality events, the 800 and 1,600. He’s among the favorites in the 800 after running a 1:53.80 — third-best time in 4A this spring — that bi-districts.
Curtis Stradley, Battle Ground — At one time this spring, his 211-1 was the nation’s top mark for three weeks. His 201-4 throw at bi-districts was his third 200-plus throw this spring.
Class 3A boys
Ethan Tonder, Mountain View — Popped a near-2-foot personal-best in the shot put at bi-districts (59- 1/4 ) to move up to No. 2 in Class 3A.
Garrett Davies, Mountain View — No one may be able to top Shadle Park’s Jakobe Ford (state-best 7 feet 3), but Davies definitely is in the running for runner-up after jumping a new personal best of 6-5 at bi-districts last week.
Class 2A boys
Trey Knight, Ridgefield — Possibly the start to a historic prep career, the Spudder already owns the state record for freshman in the shot put, set at last week’s district meet (60-9). Also has 2A’s top discus mark (172-9).
Silas Griffith, Ridgefield — The 2A district champion in the 1600 and 3200 ranks third in both events entering state. Last year, he ran season-best times while in Tacoma.
Jacob Davis, Woodland — Beavers’ seniors looks to close out his career on the podium for a second time in the 110 (14.84) and 300 (39.99) hurdles. While River Ridge’s Josh Braverman is an overwhelming favorite on both events, Davis’ times rank third and fourth, respectively.
Class 1A boys
Jeremy Scott, La Center — Won 1A district titles in the 110 and 300 hurdles, and is ranked third in the Class 1A meet at Eastern Washington University.
