What Would Have Been: Girls 100 Meter Hurdles
AA
An interesting battle was set to shape up in the AA 100 hurdles on the girls' side. But the one to beat would have likely been a freshman: Bishop McDevitt's Taleea Buxton. The ninth grader emerged onto the scene this winter and closed out her first prep season with a state title. She spent most of the winter atop the state rankings in the 60 meter hurdles and won the crown. McDevitt competes in AA and the state's best high hurdler from the indoor season would look to convert that into an outdoor state crown.
She would face an experienced group of veteran returners, though, who would be looking to take down the impressive frosh. At the top of the returners list is the defending state champion, Trina Barcarola of Western Wayne. Also the pole vault state champ, Barcarola beat a strong field for the win last year. But this field also has another former state champion in Tia Taylor of Saint Basil Academy. The junior won the crown as a freshman and placed second last year.
Hickory's Aniyah Anderson (third), Loyalsock's Megan Kendall (fourth), Neumann Goretti's Jayla Bernard (fifth), Brookville's Brooke Emery (sixth), and Saint Joseph's Catholic's Izzy Warren (seventh) were the other finalists back from last season. This would have been a great race and a good mix of veterans and newcomers.
AAA
It will be hard to live up to last year's thrilling matchup between Jane Livingston and Christina Warren in the 100 meter hurdle final. The pair went stride-for-stride in the AAA final last season, and it included a long wait after the fact to find out that Livingston had, in fact, taken home the title. Those two have since graduated, but we should have got another close final this season.
Three finalists were back from last season with Pennsbury's Kayli Williams (fourth), Cheltenham's Brianna Smith (fifth), and Pine-Richland's Danielle Bryant (eighth) all back this spring. Bryant has the best returning time from last season -- a 14.37. Williams went 14.38 at states last season, while Smith -- the lone senior of this trio -- went 14.42 at NBNO last year.
This would have been a great matchup between these three talented hurdlers. Williams was a close second to Buxton at indoor states, riding a very impressive junior campaign, but Smith and Bryant would be sure to make it close. Cedar Cliff's Ava Bechtel and North Penn's Anais Williams would have likely been in the mix as well. It likely could have been just as close a year later at Ship.