AAA Girls' 100-meter hurdles
Chanel Brissett (Cheltenham) | Photo by Don Rich
Few runners can coast to a District 1 title. Few runners are Chanel Brissett. The Cheltenham junior did what she needed to do this past Saturday at Coatesville at the District 1 Championships. She threw time out the window and picked up the win in the 100 hurdles (against a strong field nonetheless). She was over a second off her season best, but Brissett's sights are set on states where she'll shoot for a fast time in the event. Barring catastrophe, it will be Brissett against the clock. Keep an eye on the 13-second barrier.
But hey, there are plenty of other strong hurdlers in this field, too. There are three returnees from last year's state final in the field this year and they're all hitting better times this year. Yasmin Brooks of Susquehanna Township enters the meet as the top seed after winning District 3 in 14.12. But right there will be Oxford Area's Katie Dodson, who was second to Brissett at District 1. Cheltenham's Madison Langley-Walker also returns. She'll be busy with three other events, but she's certainly a candidate for another state medal in the high hurdles.
Dieruff's Mahendra McWhite is another serious threat. She's run some good times this year, including a 14.26 at Ship and she'll look to grab a state medal and a high place.
Penn Hills' freshman Jayla Ellis will look to make an impact at her first outdoor state meet. CB East's Leah Kendrick, Council Rock South's Elke Knecht, and Perkiomen Valley's Christina Warren will also be contenders for what will be a fast final.