The state track and field finals are Saturday, with four divisions competing across the Lower Peninsula at their respective finals meets.
Here are 10 local runners to look out for, across all four divisions on the girls side.
Division 1
Ella Goodsell, senior, Romeo
Goodsell is one of the top qualifiers in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races, and will be one of the leaders for a Romeo team that has a shot to make some noise in the team title race, too.
A senior, Goodsell also is flanked by junior distance runner Annie Hrabovsky.
Kamryn Tatum, senior, West Bloomfield
Tatum is going for the historic feat of being a four-time champion in the 200 meters, and is the favorite in that event. She’s also looking for her second individual titles in the 100 and 400.
She’s as dominant as they come, and could add some hardware in a relay or two, as well.
Natasza Dudek, sophomore, Ann Arbor Pioneer
One of the best distance runners in the state and country, Dudek qualified in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters for the state finals, but will race in just the 3,200.
A cross country star in the fall, she’s seeking her first state title on the track as an individual. She’ll also run the 3,200 relay.
Division 2
Aubrey Wilson, junior, Dearborn Divine Child
Wilson is a dominant sprinter, running in the 100, 200 and 400, where she’s the favorite or among the top seeded runners. She’ll also run in the 1,600-meter relay and compete in the long jump.
She’s going for back-to-back titles in the 200 and three in a row in the 100.
Jaylah Wilkins, senior, Dearborn Henry Ford
Wilkins is an accomplished hurdler and is one of the top seeded competitors in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles.
She might not be the favorite in her two races, but she’s certainly within striking distance for a podium or more.
Ayda Skeels, junior, Adrian
A distance specialist like Moises Salazar Jr. on the boys side for Adrian, Skeels is qualified in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters. She’s a higher seed in the latter two.
Either way, she’s facing some stiff competition to claim a title, particularly Ludington freshman Eliza Schwass.
Division 3
Ella Claus, sophomore, Clinton
While she’s qualified in the 100 meters and also will run in the 800 relay for Clinton, Claus will have her best shot at an individual title in the 400.
She’s the top-seeded runner in that event by eight tenths of a second, and one of just two runners running under 59 seconds.
Giuliana Nastale, senior, Erie-Mason
If someone upsets Claus in the 400 meters, it’ll probably be Nastale, the other runner under 59 seconds. She’ll also compete in the 100 and 200 individual races, as well as the 400 relay for Erie Mason.
Nastale is the reigning state champion in the 100 and 200 in Division 3 and going for back-to-back titles in both.
Division 4
Kaylie Livingston, junior, Whitmore Lake
Livingston is back-to-back winner in the 3,200 and going for three straight in that event, and could take home another relay title after winning the 3,200 in 2024. She’ll compete in that event again this year.
Livingston also qualified in the 800 and 1,600 runs, as well as the 1,600-meter relay.
Ella Lamb, sophomore, Royal Oak Shrine
Lamb is the top qualifier in the 800 meters and a reasonable strong seed in the 1,600, too. She could very well win her first state title if not multiple Saturday.
She’ll also race in three relays for Shrine: the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relay races.
Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 10 Metro Detroit girls track and field individuals to watch at state finals
Reporting by Andrew Graham, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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