National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

The following is the fourth of a 4-part series ranking the top athletes for the 2014 outdoor high school track and field season – from the first outdoor meets back in February through the final post-season affairs in August.  It also represents an attempt to create some of the deepest prep rankings available with some of the most detailed analysis.  The rankings, as such the first ever published by the NSAF, were produced by Steve Underwood, with input from Jim Spier.  They are generally based on the honors won, head-to-head competition and fastest times criteria popularized and used by Track and Field News, as well as other compilers, throughout the years.  This fourth entry in the series, Girls Field and Multis, was preceeded by Boys Field and Multis, Girls Individual Track and Boys Individual Track.

Shot Put:  2014 was “So Raven”

1. Raven Saunders, Burke SC, 2014
USR 56-8.25 – 1st US Jr, 1st NBNO, 2nd WJC, 1st Chicagoland, 1st Taco Bell, 1st 2A state

2. Stamatia Scarvelis, Dos Pueblos CA, 2014
US#2 53-9.25 – 4th US Jr(2nd prep), 1st Arcadia, 1st Mt SAC, 1st state, 1st SS Masters, 1st SS Finals(D2)

3. Ashlie Blake, Liberty NV, 2014
US#3 51-7.25 – 10th US Jr(4th prep), 2nd Arcadia, 2nd Mt SAC, 4th Chicagoland, 1st D1 state

4. Haley Teel, Gregory-Portland TX, 2014
US#4 51-6.5 – 1st 4A state, 1st Texas R, 1st 4A-Reg 4, 1st 4A-Dist 30, 2nd TSU Relays

5. McKenna Howard, Los Alamitos CA, 2014
US#5 50-2.5 – 2nd state, 2nd SS Masters, 1st SS Finals(D1), 3rd Arcadia, 3rd Mt SAC

6. Courtney McCartney, Selinsgrove Area PA, 2015
US#7 49-0.25 – 2nd NBNO, 1st AAA state, 5th Chicagoland, 3rd Penn R, 1st AAA Dist 4

7. Sophia Rivera, Brentwood MO, 2016
47-2.5 – 3rd NBNO, 5th USA Jr(3rd prep), 1st AAU Club, 1st Cl. 2 state, 1st USA Yth(15-16), 1st Kansas R

8. Lloydricia Cameron, Miami Northwestern FL, 2014
US#12 48-4 – 4th NBNO, 2nd Chicagoland, 1st GSC, 1st Florida R, 1st 3A state

9. Ginika Iwuchukwu, Notre Dame CA, 2014
US#6 49-5 – 3rd state, 3rd SS Masters, 1st SS Finals(D3), 4th Arcadia, 4th Mt. SAC

10. Shaina Burns, Lakeville South MN, 2014
46-9.25 – 5th NBNO, 3rd Chicagoland, 1st AA state, 1st AA Section 1

Analysis: Who could have known that when Saunders stepped into the ring, for her 2nd throw during last December’s NCRunners Elite Holiday Invite, that we’d be seeing the beginning of the greatest season ever by a female prep shot putter?  She came into the meet having been a 39-footer the previous spring and with a 42-5 lifetime best.  That second throw in that NC meet landed 53 feet, 8.25 inches away and a new throwing legend was born.  Four 56-footers, three national championships (2 NBN, 1 Junior), two national records and one World Junior Champs silver medal later, Saunders had completed a senior year that will never be forgotten.  In 10 meets (including WJC qualifying) she threw 53 feet or better and she was unbeaten by preps.

In most years, what Scarvelis or Blake did would be good enough for #1.  After the UCLA recruits split indoors (Scarvelis winning Simplot, Blake getting 2nd to Scarvelis’ 3rd at NBNI), Scarvelis finished ahead in three outdoor meetings – not to mention sweeping through California’s season without a loss.  She had eight meets at 52 feet or better and became #4 all-time.  Blake had some health issues that hurt her post-season, but still had nine 50-foot meets outdoors after becoming #4 all-time indoors with her NBNI runner-up finish.

Ranking the next seven is tough, with the outdoor season’s other two 50-footers doing little or nothing in the post-season.  But Teel and Howard both faced great in-state competition and had enough long throws to rank ahead of those who went later into the summer.  So then ranking #5-6-7 are the 2-3-4 finishers from NBNO, McCartney, Rivera and Cameron.  Rivera, a 47-2.75 thrower, also had a great 5th at Juniors, while Cameron was a strong 2nd at Chicagoland.  A third Californian, Iwuchukwu, was a 49-footer who consistently followed Scarvelis and Howard, while Burns was a heptathlon star who shone with the shot both at NBNO and Chicagoland.

Discus: Early wins the key for Scarvelis

1. Stamatia Scarvelis, Dos Pueblos CA, 2014
US#2 172-7 – 7th US Jr (1st prep), 1st Arcadia, 1st Mt SAC, 1st state, 1st SS Finals/Masters

2. Bryanna Hames, Myers Park NC, 2014
US#11 159-1 – 1st NBNO, 1st 4A state, 1st Queen City R, 2nd Taco Bell

3. Adrianna Brown, Lawrence Central IN, 2014
US#7 164-0 – 2nd NBNO, 1st state, 1st MW Prep, 1st Lawrence Twp, 1st Jeffersonville Inferno

4. Kiana Phelps, Kingsley-Pierson IA, 2016
US#1 179-7 – 3rd NBNO, 1st Chicagoland, 1st 2A state, 1st Drake R, 1st AAU JOs, 1st KP-WC Inv

5. Lloydricia Cameron, Miami Northwestern, 2014
US#4 166-8 – 4th NBNO, 3rd Chicagoland, 1st 3A state, 1st GMAC Champs, 1st 3A-Reg 4

6. Kennedy Blahnik, Algoma WI, 2014
US#3 169-2 – 1st D3 state, 1st Senior Spotlight, 1st Hilbert Reg, 1st Princeton Sect

7. Ashlie Blake, Las Vegas Liberty NV, 2014
US#5 166-1 – 11th US Jr (3rd prep), 2nd Arcadia, 2nd Mt SAC, 1st D1 state, 4th Chicagoland

8. Raven Saunders, Burke SC, 2014
US#10 159-11 – 1st Taco Bell, 2nd Chicagoland, 1st 2A state, 1st Father Kelly Inv

9. Kassie Vollmer, Prior Lake MN, 2014
US#9 160-11 – 9th USA Jr (2nd prep), 1st AA state, 1st AA Section 3

10. Jeia Gilliam, Fort Bend Hightower TX, 2014
US#6 165-4 – 1st 5A state, 1st Texas R, 1st 5A-Reg 3, 1st Lancaster MOC, 1st TSU Relays

Analysis:  Ranking the platter is quite the challenge.  Several key players bypassed NBNO and the few who went to Juniors did not throw particularly well.  List leaders Phelps was over 170 twice in smaller meets, but her best otherwise was 155.  So in the end, the top spot goes to US#2 Scarvelis, who was unbeaten by preps and hit 163 or better in five meets – including her PR 172-7 at Arcadia.  And, despite being off form in Eugene, was still the top prep in 7th.  NBNO champ Hames gets the next spot, despite being only #11 on the yearly list.  Those she beat in Greensboro still included three 160-footers, even if it lacked girls like Scarvelis, Blahnik, Blake, etc.  She was unbeaten save for a loss to Saunders at Taco Bell.

Then in #3-4-5 are the 2-3-4 finishers from NBNO: Runner-up Brown was unbeaten and consistent all year; then comes Phelps, an admitted “wind-walker” who despite being well off her PR still competed well to also win Chicagoland and AAU JOs; and Cameron is 5th with her great mid-spring throws in Florida adding to her resume.  Blahnik is US#3, but skipped the big post-season meets, so winds up #6.  Blake, as mentioned earlier, struggled in the post-season but went far vs. Scarvelis at Arcadia and Mt. SAC.  In #8 is Saunders, whose focus was mostly the shot, but handed Hames the aforementioned loss at Taco Bell.  The final two spots go to Vollmer, the 2nd prep from Juniors, and Gilliam – who dominated Texas but skipped the post-season.

Javelin: Montgomery wins the big ones

1. Tairyn Montgomery, Redondo Union CA, 2016
US#1 168-1 – 1st NBNO, 1st Chicagoland, 1st USA JO(15-16), 2nd Vaasa, 6th YOT(3rd US)

2. Gabrielle Kearney, Roseburg OR, 2015
US#3 166-0 – 3rd USA Jr(1st prep), 3rd NBNO, 2nd Chicagoland, 2nd USA JO(17-18), 1st 6A state

3. Katelyn Gochenour, Marian Catholic NE, 2016
US#2 167-0 – 7th USA Jr(3rd prep), 2nd NBNO, 3rd Chicagoland, 2nd USA JO(15-16), 1st Vaasa, 2nd GSW, 2nd USA Youth, 4th YOT(2nd US)

4. Keiryn Swenson, Maize KS, 2015
US#9 155-2 – 1st GSW, 1st Kansas R, 1st 6A state

5. Sophia Rivera, Brentwood MO, 2016
US#7 157-0 – 4th USA Jr(2nd prep), 1st USA Youth(15-16), 3rd Vaasa, 2nd Kansas R, 9th NBNO, 7th GSW, 8th YOT(5th US)

6. Emma Fitzgerald, Thayer Academy MA, 2016
US#14 151-2 – 1st YOT, 4th NBNO, 4th Chicagoland, 4th Vaasa, 5th YOG(B-final)

7. Jenna Lucas, Fort Cherry PA, 2014
US#6 157-4 – 1st AA state, 1st WPIAL South Sect, 1st Dist 7-AA, 1st Black Hills Conf

8. Payton Montgomery, Barbe LA, 2014
US#4 161-2 – 1st 5A state, 1st Reg 1-5A, 1st Dist 3-5A, 1st Barbe Buc Relays, 10th USA Jr

9. Kayla Hochhalter, Carrington ND, 2014
147-5 – 5th NBNO, 1st USA JO(17-18), 1st Class B state, 1st B-South Central Reg

10. Chrissy Glasmann, Park City UT, 2015
US#5 160-6 – 1st 3A state, 3rd GSW, 1st BYU Inv, 1st Pineview Inv, 2nd Penn Relays, 11th NBNO, 11th USA JO(17-18), NM USA Jr

Analysis:  Competing in a javelin-less state, Montgomery didn’t get to compete in her specialty for nearly two months between April and June.  But when she was finally unleashed again, she certainly ascended to the top.  Building off her 155-1 PR from last year, she powered to major titles at NBNO, Chicagoland and defended her USATF JO crown (15-16s).  In each meet she threw successively further until reaching her US-leading mark in Houston.  The battle for #2 was pretty good, with Kearney and Gochenour taking turns beating each other, but the Oregon star finished one up and was more consistent over 160.

Swenson passed up the national meets, but beat many of the NSAF crew at Great Southwest and topped Rivera at the Kansas Relays, so she takes the #4 spot.  Rivera had her ups (USA Youths, KU Relays – even though 2nd) and downs (NBNO, GSW), but exploded on the biggest stage at Juniors with her 157-0 in 5th.  Perhaps the nation’s best combo jav/shot/discus thrower, she has a huge upside.  Fitzgerald wasn’t top 10 on the yearly lists, but her Youth Olympic Trials win (before her injury) and solid post-injury showings at NBNO and Chicagoland (4th in each) gets her #6.  In #7, Lucas didn’t venture beyond PA, but had two major meets over 153 within; in #8, Payton Montgomery had a monster 161-footer, but not much backup; at #9, Hochhalter was a 147-footer, but fared very well in two national meets; and at #10, Glasmann did well in-state and at GSW, but struggled in the biggest national meets.

Hammer: Showalter edges Gaitan

1. Haley Showalter, Valor Christian CO, 2015
US#1 193-4 – 1st USA Jr, 2nd NBNO, 1st GSW, 1st Chicagoland, 1st Tuscon Elite, 1st YOT, NM WJC

2. Sabrina Gaitan, Sprayberry GA, 2015
US#2 190-7 – 1st NBNO, 2nd Chicagoland, 2nd YOT, 18th(q) WJC, 2nd SouChall #1/#2, 1st SouChall #3, 1st Mother’s Day

3. Lena Giger, Highland IL, 2014
US#3 185-9 – 4th USA Jr(2nd prep), 4th NBNO, 3rd Chicagoland, 1st USA Youth, 1st Chicagoland (6/1)

4. Nyla Woods, Grady GA, 2014
US#4 185-8 – 5th USA Jr(3rd prep), 5th NBNO, 4th Chicagoland, 1st SouChall #1/#2, 2nd SouChall #3, 2nd Mother’s Day

5. Gabriella Figueroa, Austintown Fitch OH, 2014
US#6 180-1 – 3rd NBNO, 2nd state, 1st NE Ohio

6. Kelli Thomas, Luella GA, 2014
US#8 175-2 – 6th NBNO, 8th USA Jr(4th prep), 2nd GSW, 6th War Eagle (1st prep), 1st USATF GA

7. Danielle Borriello, Ellenville NY, 2014
US#10 168-7 – 7th NBNO, 1st NY Relays, 1st Eastern States, 2nd Hammerama

8. Alva Hicks, Classical RI, 2015
US#9 172-1 – 8th NBNO, 11th USA Jrs, 2nd NY Relays, 1st Hammerama, 1st USA JOs, 2nd state, 1st Mt Pleasant, 2nd KOC

9. Leia Mistowski, Narragansett RI, 2014
US#7 175-3 – 13th NBNO, 1st state, 2nd Mt Pleasant, 1st KOC

10. Sidnie Wilder, Cameron WI, 2014
US#5 181-8 – 4th Chicagoland (6/7, mixed), 1st USATF Midwest Masters

Analysis:  Showalter had a painful experience at the World Juniors this past July, with three fouls in the prelims, but she still gets the nod as the US#1 in the hammer for 2014.  On the surface, it might seem like a decisive choice, given the Showalter’s US#1 victory at Great Southwest, as well as her USA Junior, Youth Olympic Trials and Chicagoland wins.  But she actually split four meets with top challenger Gaitan – the Guatemalan national from Georgia with the Throw 1 Deep program.  Gaitan pulled off the big win at NBNO and placed 18th in the qualifying at Worlds to go with her runner-up finishes at Chicagoland and YOT (of course she didn’t throw at USA Jrs).  Interestingly, Showalter repped Team USA at the Youth Olympics in the discus, not the hammer.

Third and fourth went to two fine athletes in Giger and Woods.  Giger took up the hammer with passion in the late spring – after a less-than-hoped-for Illinois shot campaign – and ascended all the way up to a US#3 185-9.  She finished one spot ahead of Woods – another T1D thrower – in three straight major meets: NBNO, Juniors and Chicagoland.  Woods also had some good battles and a win over Gaitan in T1D meets, but winds up 4th.  Giger and Woods aren’t a totally obvious choice for 3-4 as Figueroa – the NBNI weight throw champ – beat them both while getting 3rd at NBNO.  But Figueroa contested none of the other big meets.  Thomas, Borriello and Hicks follow in NBNO order, each with good backup performances.  Hicks’ Rhode Island rival Mistowski had a rough day in Greensboro, but was nearly even with Hicks otherwise.  Wilder had a very limited campaign but still the #5 performance.

Pole Vault – Freier destroys old records

1. Desiree Freier, Justin Northwest TX, 2014
USR 14-7.25 – 2nd WJC, 1st USA Jr, 1st NBNO, 1st Texas R, 1st 5A state

2. Bonnie Draxler, Wrightstown WI, 2014
US#3 13-11.25 – 2nd USA Jr, 1st Senior Spotlight, 1st D2 state, 11th WJC

3. Kaitlyn Merritt, Santa Margarita CA, 2015
US#4 13-9 – 4th USA Jr (3rd prep), 1st Arcadia, 1st Southern Section Finals, NH SS Masters

4. Kally Long, Wimberly TX, 2014
US#5 13-7 – 5th USA Jr (4th prep), 2nd NBNO, 1st TAAF Games, 2nd Texas R, 1st USA JO(17-18), 1st 3A state

5. Lexi Weeks, Cabot AR, 2015
US#2 14-0 – 1st AR MOC, 1st 7A state, 1st Bryant Hornet R

6. Mackenzie Shell, Port Huron Northern MI, 2015
US#6 13-6 – 6th USA Jr (5th prep), 4th NBNO, 1st MI USATF, 1st D1 state, 3rd USA Youth

7. Nicole Summersett, Austin Westlake TX, 2015
US#12 13-3.5 – 3rd NBNO, 1st GSW, 3rd Texas R, NH USA Jr, 14th USA JO(17-18)

8. Carson Dingler, 1st Presbyterian Day GA, 2017
13-0 – T-5th NBNO, 2nd GSC, 1st Mobile, 1st USA JO(15-16), 1st AAU JO, 1st AAU Club

9. Madison Heath, Fontainebleau LA, 2014
13-0 – T-5th NBNO, 2nd USA JO, 2nd Mobile, 1st 5A state

10. Meaghan Gray, Buda Hays TX, 2015
13-0 – 7th USA Jr (6th prep), 4th USA JO(17-18), 6th Texas R, 3rd 4A state

Analysis:  Generally speaking, the girls’ pole vault has been a still-young event where the records keep inching up and the depth keeps getting better and better.  But no girl has ever raised the bar the way Freier did in 2014.  It wasn’t just that she reset the national records both indoors and outdoors, and won all the major domestic titles, but it was the margin by which she did so – with a breathtaking 14-7.25 for the World Junior Champs silver capping off her grand year.  With the beginning of almost each new previous season over recent years, there have been candidates to get over 14 feet and challenge the indoor and outdoor standards, but how long will it be ‘til there’s another girl who can go 14-7?

The depth of 2014 was great, too, as seven girls went 13-6 or higher.  Draxler emerged late, just like she did in 2013, to take the runner-up spot.  She nailed 2nd at Juniors with her US#3 mark (and had an earlier 13-9).  Merritt finally ventured outside the Golden State for a major post-season meet; her Juniors 4th had to be extra satisfying after a NH kept her from defending her state title.  She also had a 14-0.75 in a dual meet declared to be unofficial.  Long was the #2 Texan – always meaningful given the quality in that state – and the runner-up at both NBNO and NBNI, before getting 5th in Eugene.  Weeks was the year’s other 14-footer, but without leaving the state and facing other elites, can rank no higher.  Summersett beat Shell at NBNO for 3rd, but Shell was more consistent in her other big meets.  The final three spots go to 13-footers Dingler, Heath and Gray, all of whom had solid big meet slates even if they weren’t quite as high on the list as a few others.

High Jump: Soph Cunningham racks up 6 ft.+ meets

1. Vashti Cunningham, Bishop Gorman NV, 2016
US#1 6-3 – 1st Arcadia, 1st AAU JO(15-16), 1st Mt. SAC, 1st D1 state, 1st Southern Region

2. Bailey Weiland, Marist GA, 2014
US#6 5-11.5 – 1st NBNO, 1st USA Jr, 1st Taco Bell, 1st Coaches Inv, 1st 4A state, 27th WJC(pre)

3. Stacey Destin, Santaluces FL, 2015
=US#3 6-0 – 1st AAU JO(17-18), 1st 4A state, 1st AAU Reg 10, 1st Disney Open. 1st 4A Reg 3

4. Janae Moffitt, Oak Hill IN, 2015
US#11 5-10.5 – 1st YOT, 2nd NBNO, 1st state, 2nd YOG (‘B’ Final), 1st IN Reg 4

5. Claire Kieffer-Wright, South Pasadena CA, 2014
=US#3 6-0 – 2nd Arcadia, 2nd Mt SAC, 1st SGV Champs, 1st Pasadena Games

6. Nicole Greene, Ponte Verde FL, 2015
US#10 5-10.75 – 1st USA JO(17-18), 1st AAU Club, 1st GSC, 3rd 3A state, 5th YOT, 8th NBNO, 1st Florida R

7. Rachel Reichenbach, Foothill (NC) CA, 2014
5-8.75 – 2nd USA Jr, 1st Stanford, 1st GWI, 7th state, 1st Logan Inv

T-8. Ashlee Moore, Hamilton AZ, 2014
=US#12 5-10 – 3rd USA Jr, 1st USA Jr Hept, 1st GSW Hept, 8th WJC Hept, 2nd D1 state, 1st Chandler

T-8. Tyra Gittens, Ensworth TN, 2017
=US#12 5-10 – 2nd AAU JO(15-16), 1st AAU JO Hept, 1st D2 state, 1st D2 state Hept

10. Cyre Virgo, Fleetwood PA, 2015
=US#12 5-10 – 4th USA Jr, 2nd Penn Relays, 1st AAA state, 1st Millersville Inv

Analysis: Like her older brother, Cunningham was the pick in the high jump despite passing up the biggest meets in USA Juniors and NBNO.  In fact, Vashti was an easier #1 choice than Randall II because as a sophomore she put up one of the best set of marks ever seen: She went 6-0 or better in no fewer than NINE meets and didn’t have a loss.  Her PR makes her #3 all-time and adds the soph class national mark to the frosh class standard she set in ’13.  And it should be added that with major invite wins at Arcadia and Mt. SAC, as well as an AAU JO title, she still had a competitive slate.  Weiland, meanwhile, was “only” US#6, but with an unbeaten record that included the rare NBNO/USA Juniors double, there’s no question she belongs in the next spot. 

A number of top jumpers either missed NBNO and Juniors, or performed poorly there, so ranking the next seven is daunting.  Then there was the fact that some of the girls who went ranked in the top 10 between 5-11 and 6-1 either had one big jump or didn’t compete outside their state.  An exception there was Destin – she was one of three 6-footers at =#5 on the list and, with eight meets at 5-10 and an AAU JO title, gets the third spot.  6-footer Kieffer-Wright didn’t even make it to her state meet before injury ended her season, but as the very competitive runner-up in Cunningham’s Arcadia and Mt. SAC wins, gets the #4 spot.  Moffitt made the Youth Olympics with her 5-10.75 PR and was 2nd at NBNO, thus earning 5th. 

Next was the prolific Greene, who was somewhat off form in some big meets (3A state, NBNO, YOT), captured some others (USA JOs, AAU Clubs, Golden South).  Then we have Reichenbach, one of the most surprising Team USA members at Worlds.  She wasn’t even a 5-8 jumper coming in to the Eugene Trials, but got 2nd at 5-8.75 when several 5-11+ girls faltered.  A pair of stellar heptathletes share the next spot: Moore, the hept US leader and WJC finalist, was a good enough high jumper to make 5-10 during a 7-eventer and then take 3rd in the open Trials HJ behind Reichenbach; Gittens, the frosh class hept record-setter, was also a 5-10 leaper and did it in a killer runner-up finish to Cunningham at AAU JOs.  Virgo, the 2013 NBNI champ who was 4th in Eugene and 2nd at Penn, takes the final spot.  Five girls who cleared 5-11 or better don’t make the cut.

Long Jump:  Ries by a fraction

1. Chyna Ries, Denver East CO, 2014
US#2 20-10.75 (21-4w) – 3rd USA Jr(1st prep), 1st GSW, 1st 5A state, 1st USATF CO, 1st Cherry Crk/Grandview Inv

2. Keturah Orji, Mt. Olive NJ, 2014
US#1 20-11.75 – 4th USA Jr(2nd prep), 1st NBNO, 1st NJ MOC, 1st Grp 3 state, 1st Morris Co.

3. Margeaux Jones, Redlands CA, 2015
US#4 20-5.5 (20-9 nwi) – 8th USA Jr(3rd prep), 1st state, 2nd SS Masters, 1st SS Finals(D2), 1st Arcadia, 2nd Mt SAC

4. Courtney Corrin, Harvard-Westlake CA, 2016
US#3 20-8.25 – 9th USA Jr(4th prep), 2nd NBNO, 2nd state, 1st SS Masters, 1st SS Finals(D3), 1st Mt SAC, 7th Arcadia

5. Rhesa Foster, Clovis North CA, 2016
US#5 20-3 – 3rd YOG, 2nd YOT(1st US), 1st AAU JO(15-16), 2nd Arcadia, 1st CS Masters, 11th state

6. Sydnei Murphy, Apex NC, 2015
19-8 – 3rd NBNO, 2nd USA JO(17-18), 1st 4A state, 1st 4A Mideast Reg, 1st USA JO Reg 3

7. Chinne Okoronkwo, Mountlake Terrace WA, 2016
19-8.75 (19-11.75w) – 4th NBNO, 2nd GSW, 7th USA JO(17-18), 15th USA Jr, 3rd YOT

8. Taylor Deloach, St. Vincent’s GA, 2016
19-10 (20-1w) – 1st AAU JOs(17-18), 2nd AAU Club, 2nd GSC, 9th NBNO, 4th YOT (3rd US)

9. Jasmine Quinn, Ft Dorchester SC, 2014
US#6 20-2.25 – 1st 4A state, 1st NCRunners Elite, 3rd Taco Bell, 2nd Sandlapper, 1st Outback, 1st Father Kelly, 1st Mellow Mushroom

10. Kate Hall, Lake Region ME, 2015
19-4.25 (19-6.75nwi) – 6th NBNO, 1st ‘B’ State, 1st WMC Champs

Analysis:  There’s not too many events where it can be said that #1 came down to a single, final competition, but that was the case in the LJ as unbeatens Ries and Orji finally met at the USA Juniors.  Ries had swept through Colorado with seemingly countless 20-foot jumps and won Great Southwest.  Orji, the 2013 World Youth silver medalist, had dominated New Jersey and had the NBNO title in hand.  In a bit of a surreal battle in Eugene, Ries and Orji were both just a tad under 21 feet and neither made Team USA behind a pair of collegians.  Ries was a quarter-inch better and thus earns #1.

A trio of Californians are next.  Corrin had been the frosh prodigy who was unbeaten in 2013 until Orji’s jump at WY.  This year, she and rising force Jones took turns beating each other, but Jones won Arcadia and state, and finished ahead of Corrin (the NBNO runner-up) at Juniors, so gets the #3 spot.  Taking the #5 position is Foster, who made the Youth Olympic team in April, struggled at state, but then had legal, winning 20 ft.-plus jumps at AAU JOs and in Nanjing.  After that it gets a bit dicey.  Murphy was down the list a bit at 19-8, but her big meet results of 3rd at NBNO and 2nd at USA JOs earns her #6.  Okoronkwo was off form at JOs and Juniors, but was a strong 4th at NBNO and a stellar 2nd at Great Southwest to get #7.  Next is another soph, DeLoach, who had a solid mix of big-meet performances in invites and national events.  Following her is Quinn, who didn’t jump in the post-season, but was the best of a South Carolina “big three” (also Angelica Collins and Makyla Stanley) and had a legal 20-footer.  Finally in 10th is Hall, the NBNI runner-up who came back outdoors for 6th in Greensboro.

Triple Jump: Queen Keturah repeats

1. Keturah Orji, Mt. Olive NJ, 2014
US#1 44-2 (44-9w) – 1st USA Jr, 1st NBNO, 1st GSW, 1st Penn R, 9th WJC, 1st NJ MOC

2. Asa Garcia, Texas City TX, 2015
US#3 41-11.25 (42-3.25w) – 1st USA JO(17-18), 1st Texas R, 2nd YOT, 1st 4A state

3. Sydnei Murphy, Apex NC, 2015
US#5 41-7.25 – 2nd NBNO, 2nd USA JO(17-18), 1st 4A state, 1st USA JO Reg 3

4. Tiffany Flynn, Miller Grove GA, 2014
US#4 41-11 – 3rd NBNO, 1st 5A state, 1st 5A Sect B

5. Bria Matthews, Forest Park GA, 2015
US#2 42-1 – 1st AAU Club, 1st AAU JO(17-18), 3rd USA JO(17-18), 2nd 5A state

6. Chinne Okoronkwo, Mountlake Terrace WA, 2016
US#6 41-3.75 (41-6.5w) – 1st YOT, 4th NBNO, 4th USA Jr(2nd prep), 4th USA JO(17-18), 2nd GSW, 2nd YOG (B-final), 1st 3A state

7. Ashley Anderson, Carson CA, 2014
US#7 41-3 – 1st state, 1st Arcadia, 1st Mt. SAC, 12th USA Jr

8. Darrielle McQueen, North Fla. Christian FL, 2014
US#13 40-8.25 – 7th NBNO, 3rd GSW, 1st 1A state, 1st Florida Relays, 1st FSU Relays

9. Javonne Antoine, Elizabeth Seton MD, 2014
US#11 40-10 (41-7.75w) – 10th NBNO, 2nd Penn Relays, 1st Taco Bell, 1st Southern Trk Classic

10. Mia Barron, Minnetonka MN, 2014
40-6 – 7th USA Jr (3rd prep), 1st AA state, 1st 6AA Sect, 1st Hamline Elite

Analysis:  Orji may have gotten edged out in the LJ, but in the triple jump she was untouchable among preps for the 2nd straight year.  The 2013 World Youth bronze medalist defended her NBNO (and NBNI) crowns and won her first USATF Junior title to make her 2nd straight World meet.  That her return trip to Eugene didn’t yield another IAAF podium finish was certainly personally disappointing, but only slightly diminished her spectacular 2-year run.  The NSAF Project TJ veteran also missed getting an HSR, but finished her career #2 all-time indoors and out and had 14 meets beyond 42 feet.

The above-mentioned Juniors were a little thin on prep talent after Orji and NSAF Project Triple Jump teammate Okoronkwo, so much of the rankings spots were informed by the ultra-competitive NBNO and USATF JO battles.  At NBNO, Murphy produced a stunning PR to take 2nd behind Orji and ahead of Flynn and Okoronkwo.  Then at JOs, Garcia – the Texas 4A champ who’d had the huge windy jump at Texas Relays but bypassed NBNO and Juniors – took the spotlight.  She beat Murphy, Matthews and Okoronkwo in a tight, exciting battle.  And while Matthews had two big AAU JO and Club wins, Flynn beat her decisively for their state 5A title.  So ranking spots #2-#6 go to Garcia, Murphy, Flynn, Matthews and Okoronkwo in that order.

Spot #7 goes to Anderson, the California 41-footer who struggled at Juniors but swept through Arcadia, Mt. SAC and states.  The next two places go to NBNO 7th- and 10th-place finishers McQueen and Antoine – who each had several other strong major meet performances to elevate them beyond their Greensboro finishes.  The final spot goes to Barron, the NBNI 3rd-place finisher who was the 3rd best prep at Juniors.

Heptathlon: Moore soars highest

1. Ashlee Moore, Hamilton AZ, 2014
US#1 5,466 pts – 1st USA Jr, 1st GSW, 1st Arcadia, 13th WJC

2. Shaina Burns, Lakeville South MN, 2014
US#2 5,363 pts – 2nd USA Jr, 1st NBNO, 3rd Arcadia, 21st WJC

3. Tiana Bonds, Centennial NV, 2014
US#3 5,258 – 2nd Arcadia, 2nd GSW

4. Shelly Spires, St. Paul’s AL, 2014
US#4 5,000 pts. – 1st state

5. Tyra Gittens, Ensworth TN, 2017
US#6 4,934 pts. – 1st AAU JO(15-16), 1st AAU Area 6, 1st state (pent)

6. Jordan Fields, Creekside FL, 2016
US#8 4,886 pts. – 2nd NBNO, 4th GSW, 1st AAU Club(15-16)

7. Maya Neal, Neuqua Valley IL, 2015
US#7 4,904 pts. – 4th NBNO, 4th Arcadia, 3rd GSW

8. Ashtin Zamzow, Goliad TX, 2014
US#9 4,883 – 1st USA JO(17-18), 6th GSW

9. Lyndsay Lopes, Clovis West CA, 2015
US#5 4,982 pts. – 2nd USA JO(17-18), 5th Arcadia, 10th USA Jr, 1st AAU Club(17-18), 1st USA JO Reg 14

10. Brittany Kelly, Northside TN, 2014
US#11 4,804 – 3rd NBNO

Analysis:  Moore, a 5,082-point scorer in 2013, emerged powerfully this past year to become the clear #1 in the event and #5 all-time.  She won three of the biggest domestic meets of the year – Arcadia, Great Southwest and USA Juniors – with room to spare and PR’d again at World Juniors to finish 13th.  Her best individual events were good enough that she ranked #9 in the 100H at 13.59 and #14 in the HJ at 5-10.  Positions #2 and #3 weren’t entirely clear-cut.  NBNI pentathlon champ Burns was 3rd at Arcadia behind Moore and Bonds.  Then at Great Southwest, Bonds improved by more than 200 points in another runner-up finish to Moore.  But at Juniors, Bonds returned to the hurdles and Burns – who had also won NBNO impressively – exceeded Bonds’ best by more than 100 in making Team USA with Moore.  That was enough to elevate Burns to #2.

After Bonds at #3, the next seven are ranked mostly according to PR, with a few exceptions.  After Spires and frosh class national record-setter Gittens, Fields’ PR in the #6 spot is slightly behind Neal, but Fields’ runner-up spot at NBNO gives her the edge.  After USATF JO champ Zamzow, Lopes’ PR is actually US#5, but a few lower placings in big meets left her ranked 9th.  NBNO 3rd-place finisher Kelly rounds out the top 10.  Special mention goes to Arkansas preps Payton Stumbaugh (Springdale Har-Ber senior) and Kelsey Herman (Crossett) senior.  The annual AHSAA multis competition in that state includes a discus instead of a javelin – but the same scoring in the other six events.  Stumbaugh scored 5,210 and Hermann 4,956 and it’s easy to imagine – given their outstanding marks overall – that they could score similarly with the standard events. http://members.ahsaa.org/public/userfiles/Track_Field/Heptathlon_Results_2014.pdf