AAA Girls' 400m Preview
The state's most versatile sprinter is Hunter Robinson. The Avonworth/Northgate has range from 100 meters up to 400 meters (though we suspect she could pop a quick 800 meters if she ever ran it). She's forgoing the 100 meters at states this year, though, instead focusing on the 200, 4x100, 4x400, and the open 400.
The 400 is perhaps her best event, but that was the race she didn't win PIAA gold in last year. That, instead, went to Uche Nwogwugwu, who repeated as AAA champ. But this year, Robinson comes in the favorite for the title. Her seed time, 54.77, is over a second and a half better than the second seed. Robinson's PR is 54.49 and she may be shooting to improve on that.
She will have some formidable challengers, though. South Fayette's Rachel Helbling was second to Robinson at WPIALs, running 56.41. She was seventh last year and should be able to climb her way up the podium to a higher finish this year.
Cheltenham's Alexis Crosby took home the District 1 title, running 56.42, but has a PR of 54.55. Don't count out the motivated senior in this field. Crosby was third last year. Saucon Valley's Talitha Diggs took home the District 11 title and holds a season best of 56.45. She was sixth as a freshman, but has more experience now and could make a bid for the top spot. Exeter's Faith Kehinde was eighth a year ago and will be on the hunt for a return trip to the medal stand.
North Penn's Natalie Kwortnik, Belle Vernon's Hannah Seitzinger, Susquehanna Township's Jada Burton, Penn Wood's Elicia Moore, and Selinsgrove's Megan Hoffman are among the others that will make a bid for what should be a fast final.
ENTRIES:
Event 306 Girls 400 Meter Dash AAA (25) Prelims
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NFHS Record: 50.74 2000 Monique Henderson, S Diego Morse HS,CA
PIAA Record: 53.11 1986 Leaha Walker, Williamsport 4
NFHS Hnr Rol: 54.00
58.80 SQS
Name Year School Seed relim Time
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1 Robinson, Hunter 12 Avonworth 07 54.77 SQS
2 Helbling, Rachel 12 So Fayette 07 56.41 SQS
3 Crosby, Alexis 12 Cheltenham 01 56.42 SQS
4 Diggs, Talitha 10 Saucon Valley 11 56.61 SQS
5 Kwortnik, Natalie 11 North Penn 01 56.98 SQS
6 Seitzinger, Hannah 10 Belle Vernon 07 57.06 SQS
7 Burton, Jada 12 Susquehnn Twp 03 57.34 SQS
8 Moore, Elicia 11 Penn Wood 01 57.35 SQS
9 Hoffman, Megan 11 Selinsgrove 04 57.54 SQS
10 Casey, Bridget 12 Gwynedd-Mercy 01 57.58 SQS
11 White, Khaliyah 10 South Philly 12 57.65 SQS
12 Fernald, Alice 12 Donegal 03 57.70 SQS
13 Hackman, Madison 12 Pennsbury 01 57.87 SQS
14 Penman, Katie 9 Williamsport 04 58.05 SQS
15 Bonzelet, Shayla 10 Cedar Crest 03 58.11 SQS
16 Douglas-Grant, Jasmine 12 Stroudsburg 11 58.17 SQS
17 Fischer, Valerie 11 Hampton 07 58.47 SQS
18 Schriver, Alyssa 12 Penn Manor 03 58.58 SQS
19 Kehinde, Faith 12 Exeter 03 58.76 SQS
20 Adams, Elizabeth 10 Meadville 10 58.83
21 Turner, Mackenzie 11 Wallenpaupack 02 58.93
22 Scott, Maya 10 Bensalem 01 59.35
23 Bosworth, Emily 9 Bradford Area 09 59.84
24 Boykin, Jesikah 10 Crdnl O'Hara 12 1:00.30
25 Barton, Allison 10 Hollidaysburg 06 1:01.35