Girls' 200 Meters Preview
Talitha Diggs was second last year at indoor states, but the Saucon Valley senior will be the favorite to move up to the top spot this time around.
After she hopes to defend her 400 meter state title, she will go after her first indoor state title in the 200 meters. She ran a breathtaking 23.79 for the win against a great PA field at Ocean Breeze last month, a PA No. 3 all-time effort. But she will be aiming for more on Sunday. Thelma Davies broke Kouri Peace's state record last year at indoor states with a 23.51. Diggs' sights will be set on that time and she will have a great shot at it. Like the 400, it will be difficult to stop Diggs in the 200.
After her, a deep field awaits. Norristown's Teliyah James went 24.61 to win the Philly Public League Invite at the Armory a few weeks ago. That was a PA No. 2 effort. The 200 is the only event James will contest in an open fashion, and she will be one to watch.
Neshaminy's Sanaa Hebron and Girard College's Margaret Conteh are the other two in the field that have run sub-25 this season. Hebron ran a best of 24.84 at Ocean Breeze, while Conteh went 24.90. Hebron took seventh at indoor states in the event last year, while Conteh is enjoying an indoor season that has seen her emerge as one of the state's best. Look for both to be in the mix for high finishes in a competitive hot heat.
The same goes for Warwick's Meghan Quinn, who earned signature wins this winter at the Penn State-hosted Kevin Dare Invite (25.27) and the Carnival on Lehigh's flat track (25.49). The senior is a talented sprinter and the 200 is a good sweet spot for her. She will be a factor here.
There's plenty of depth down the line in the 200 meters. Cheltenham freshman Eyota Bey (season best of 25.10), Mastery Charter-Hardy's Marlina Voker (the top seed in the 60m), and Mount Saint Joseph's Annie Lemelin (DVGTCA MOC winner) are among the others in that could make some noise out of the other heats. Springside Chestnut Hill's Sabria Epps and Boyertown's Emma Elwell should also make a good run at the medal stand.
Event 13 Girls 200 Meter Dash ============================================================ =================== Meet Record: 23.51 2/24/2019 Thelma Davies, Girard College 26.23 SGQ State Guideline Name Year School ============================== ============================== =================== 1 Berkheimer, Darrian 11 Altoona Area 2 Bey, Eyota 9 Cheltenham 3 Bonner, Raechel 12 Central Daupin 4 Burton, Casey 12 North Allegheny 5 Conteh, Margaret 11 Girard Colle 6 Cooper, Nyashia 11 Imhotep Inst 7 Davis, Nevaeh 11 Penn Wood 8 Diggs, Talitha 12 Saucon Valley 9 Elwell, Emma 12 Boyertown 10 Epps, Sabria 11 Spside Chestnut 11 Hebron, Sanaa 10 Neshaminy 12 James, Teliyah 12 Norristown 13 Lemelin, Annie 11 Mt St Joseph Aca 14 Morgan, Haley 11 Shenango 15 Palacio-Lewis, Lily 12 Warwick 16 Quinn, Meghan 12 Warwick 17 Samolu, Lowoe 12 Penn Wood 18 Schearer, Beth 9 Springfield 19 Scott, Maya 12 Bensalem 20 Voker, Marlina 11 Msty Chtr Hardy