Folders |
Weekend Storylines - 2015 Simplot Games - DyeStatPublished by
A Look at Simplot's Saturday Storylines
By Erik Boal of DyeStatCAL
Armstrong will look for similar success Saturday in the 3,200-meter final after posting the fastest qualifying time in Thursday's prelims. Armstrong will be tested in the final by Levi Thomet from Kodiak, Alaska, who is making his indoor debut. Armstrong and Thomet squared off at the Foot Locker West Regionals and national championships in cross country.
Scholl led all qualifiers in the prelims with a 5:04.44, but expect several athletes to dip under the 5-minute barrier in this deep championship field.
They were expected to both be among the favorites in Saturday's 60-meter dash final, but Francis didn't compete in the prelims. Jaela Williams of Serra is one of three California finalists in the short sprint. Clovis West's Lyndsey Lopes and Oaks Christian's Miah Webb, Williams' cousin, are leading contenders at 200 meters, along with Carly Lester of Rocky Mountain, Colorado,
That distinction belongs to sophomore Amelia Mazza-Downie from Maribyrnong, Australia, who ran 10:50.81 in the prelims. Mazza-Downie performed well running at altitude, but she'll have to deal with the experience of Morley, who is targeting the national 3,200 lead of 10:30.82.
Williams won the California state indoor title in the 55-meter hurdles and Lester captured the Colorado state indoor championship in the 60-meter hurdles, with Collier securing the victory in the 60-meter hurdles at New Balance Boise Invitational.
Smith is instead competing for ISC International Empire Athletics on the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relays, making them among the favorites to secure both titles.
Chinne Okoronkwo from Tacoma, Washington, is also a leading challenger in both the long jump and triple jump in Saturday's finals. Davis will also race in the 60-meter hurdles final.
Carson's Brandon Hasson will be a huge factor for New Image, anchoring both relays in addition to contending for the 200 title. Wildcat Track Club of Woods Cross, Utah, could secure the title in the boys sprint medley relay. Expect Fort Collins Track Club from Colorado to challenge for the girls 4 x 200 championship, with YMCA Team Idaho and Utah's Davis Track Club in contention for the girls sprint medley title. More news |