What Would Have Been: Girls 400 Meters
AA
Neumann Goretti's Mykala Perry would be looking to make it three-in-a-row in the AA 400 meters. After taking second as a freshman, Perry rolled to state titles as a sophomore and junior. She had an injury-plagued indoor season, but she got healthy towards the end of the season and it appeared it would be ready to roll for her final outdoor season to go after another win.
Perhaps offering a good challenge to Perry's bid for the 3-peat would be Girard College's Margaret Conteh. As a sophomore, Conteh broke out last spring and continued that momentum into the winter. She went 55.37 outdoors last year, but clocked a PR of 54.94 in the winter, proving she was ready for another big season. Another contender would have been Sanaa Hebron, who transferred from the George School to AAA's Neshaminy. She went 56.37 last year.
Everett's Kaitlyn Maxwell, Bloomsburg's Sage Harmon, Portage Area's Lauren Shaffer, Lewisburg's Elena Malone are the other returning medalists from last year. Saint Basil Academy's Alina LaForest focused on the 800 last spring, but she went 56.96 last outdoor season. If she went after the 400 this season, she would be in the mix for a big finish as well.
AAA
This was supposed to be a big one for Talitha Diggs. She rolled to her first outdoor state crown last year in the AAA 400 meters with a massive PR of 52.82, the second fastest time in PA state history. Now the senior and University of Florida signee was set for even bigger things this year. After a strong indoor campaign, Diggs would likely have a shot at Sharon Dabney's all-time state record, which stands at 51.55. She peaked well at Ship last year and was on pace for a similar drop in time this spring.
Diggs, who won the indoor 400 meter state title was battling illness, was set to win her second straight 400 meter state title -- and maybe more. She would have been an overwhelming favorite, and the biggest question would be, "how fast?"
Returning finalists from last year include Bensalem's Maya Scott, Delaware Valley's Taliyah Booker, Cedar Crest's Shayla Bonzelet, and South Philadelphia's Khaliyah White. Scott went 55.69 to take fourth in AAA last year. Cheltenham freshman Eyota Bey was fourth at indoor states with a best of 56.80 that would have made her a good bet for a high finish.
Central Dauphin's Raechel Bonner, Belle Vernon's Hannah Seitzinger, and South Fayette's Amy Allen were set to be among the other contenders in what would have been a fast field.