MANSFIELD — It is about to be a banner year in Richland County girls track.
Let's take a look at 17 athletes who have great chances to find themselves on the podium at the state meet in June with this version of Jake's List.
17. Alina Durbin, Crestview
Durbin hasn’t made it to state in track, but she is fresh off of a state-qualifying year in cross country and wants nothing more than to experience what it is like to run at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Expect her to be there in June.
16. Meagan Them, Mansfield Christian
At the indoor state track meet, Them finished 13th in the 1,600 with a 5:43.11 and fourth in the 3,200 with a 12:02.79. She was an All-Ohioan in cross country and she is expected to have a huge year during her senior track season, possibly making her first trip to state.
15. Riley Patrick, Mansfield Christian
During the indoor state track meet, Patrick took 10th in the 800-meter run with a 2:30.45 while also taking eighth in the 1,600 with a 5:25.93 and third in the 3,200 with a 12:01.72. New to running, Them could be a newcomer to the state meet this season.
14. Anna Will, Shelby
Will didn’t qualify for state last season as a freshman, but she had a huge sophomore year in cross country that she has to be on a lot of people’s radars this spring. A talented distance runner with a great head on her shoulders, expect Will to make her way to Columbus this year.
13. Megan Haring, Lexington
In the seated division of the state track meet, Haring was eighth in the 100 with a time of 33.01 and seventh in the 400 with a 2:15.57 to earn two All-Ohio honors. She is back for her senior year ready to leave an even bigger legacy on the track.
12. Audrey Mahon, Ontario
Mahon was just a freshman last season, but she helped the 4x400 team make a run to the state meet where it finished ninth nearly making the podium and grabbing All-Ohio honors in the process. She has a chance to be a four-time state qualifier before it is all said and done, but she has her sophomore season to focus on right now.
11. Julia Wyant, Lexington
Wyant is no stranger to success in athletics from cross country, swimming and track. She is back for her senior year after helping the 4x800 team take 11th in the Division II state track meet last season and would love nothing more than to earn an All-Ohio honor to cap off quite an athletic career.
10. Allison Laury, Lexington
Laury started off the 4x200 team that took ninth in the Division II state meet with a 1:45.13. She was just a sophomore so she gained some valuable experience in a massive role like the lead-off runner. Now a veteran, watch for that 4x200 team to do some big things with Laury leading the way.
9. Kenzie Goodlin, Ontario
Goodlin nearly earned All-Ohio honors as a member of the Warriors’ 4x400 team that took ninth in the Division II state meet missing out on the podium by one spot. Back for her junior year, Goodlin has a year of experience and should be ready for the big lights of the state meet this spring.
8. Arialyn Bischak, Ontario
Bischak was the anchor on the 4x400 relay team that took ninth in the state with a 4:00.65. ...
