A strong senior class from last year will give way to an open field for the state's top spot in the girls' 800 meters this fall. Who will rise to the top?
The first one we have to mention is Friends' Central's Gabrielle Wilkinson. Wilkinson made her presence known very early in her career when she took home the indoor state title in the 800 meters as a freshman in 2015. Now a senior and a recent University of Florida signee, Wilkinson will look to bookend her career with indoor 800 meter state crowns. She battled injury last winter, but returned in the outdoor season to eventually drop a 2:06.03 at USATF Juniors. If she can stay healthy, it will be awfully tough to take down Wilkinson.
Of course, there will be plenty of challengers to her for the No. 1 spot. Some of the best threats to the top spot include the three returning state medalists from last year: Fleetwood Area's Sarah Crissman, Cardinal O'Hara's Christine Mancini, and West Allegheny's Maddie Salek.
Photo by Ethan Rissell
Crissm...
