Above: Gwen Hamilton (right) and Olivia Cieslak (left) battle in the 800m at the Armory Officials Hall of Fame Invitational. Photo by Ryan Comstock.
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What member of the sophomore class do you think is having the best season? Here's our list of the four most impressive PA sophomores so far in 2024!
1. Gwen Hamilton (Archbishop Wood)
Hamilton is already making headlines this season after her epic 800m clash with Haverford Township junior, Olivia Cieslak. Hamilton posted a US No. 2 effort in an outstanding 2:09.66. You can read more about that race here.
Hamilton has found success over other distances this season as well. She ran 4:59.30 in the mile at the Armory Officials Hall of Fame Invitational, breaking five minutes for the first time in her career, ranking her second in the state and top 30 in the nation.
2. Baylee Espinosa (Lewisburg Area)
Espinosa is another young distance runner making a name for herself. She leads the state in the 3000m after a bold solo effort at the River Hawk High School Invitational. Espinosa ran 9:57.72, the current US No. 10 time this year.
Similarly to Hamilton, Espinosa has also found success this season in the mile. She PR'd at the Susquehanna High School Invitational, running 5:05.29, which ranks her 6th in the state.
3. Amirah Nesmith (Cheltenham)
On the sprint side of things, we look at Amirah Nesmith. Keep Nesmith on your radar, as she currently leads the state in the 200m dash. She clocked a PR of 24.93 at the Kristian Marche Memorial Invitational to take the individual title.
Nesmith also ranks 2nd in the state in the 60m dash. At the same meet, she took second to Laila Campbell, Spring Grove senior, running a solid season best of 7.70.
4. Trevon Foster (The Hill School)
Foster's 60m hurdle performance at the Kristian Marche Memorial Invitational puts his name in the conversation for top-performing sophomores. He ran a 7.98 to win the meet and take over the PA No. 1 rank. His performance also ranks him 16th in the country.
Others to watch:
Lexi Boiardi (Avon Grove) and Niya Jeffers (Chester) - Boiardi and Jeffers are tied for PA No. 1 in the high jump at 5-6.
Lily Carlson (Bermudian Springs) - PA No. 3 in the Pole Vault at 12-9.
Kaddel Howard (Cedar Crest) - PA No. 3 in the 400m in 57.22.
Justin Landis (North Penn) - PA No. 4 in the Mile in 4:24.02, PA No. 11 in the 3000m in 8:57.85.
Abaas Hunter (Episcopal Academy) - PA No. 12 in the 60m in 7.03, PA No. 19 in the 200m in 22.78, PA No. 8 in the 400m in 49.76.