What Would Have Been: Girls 300 Meter Hurdles
AA
Four girls return from last year's final and it would have been a close showdown for the state crown in the intermediate hurdles in AA.
Western Wayne's Trina Barcarola, the multi-talented state champ in the 100m hurdles and pole vault, was eighth in the final last year, but she has the best returning time at 44.72. With enough gas in the tank towards the end of a long weekend, Barcarola would have a shot at making it three state crowns.
But plenty of contenders would be right there in the mix. Saint Joseph's Catholic's Clare Marsh was third in the state last year, the best of any returner and ran a season best of 45.50 in the state prelims. Jim Thorpe Area's Lydia Wallace and Johnsonburg Area's Chloe Trumbull are the other returners. This had the potential to be a close one on Saturday afternoon.
AAA
After a fourth place finish last year, Danielle Bryant of Pine-Richland would be aiming to win her first state crown. The junior went 42.92 to win the WPIAL title last year and has the top returning time in the state. She went 43.76 to win her state medal at Ship last year and would be in the driver's seat this spring to win her first state title.
She would be challenged by North' Penn's Anais Williams (sixth) and Cheltenham's Brianna Smith (eighth) for the top spot. Williams, the defending District 1 champ came into the season with a PR of 44.28, while Smith has a best of 44.38 from last year.
Wilson's Madi Herb, Chester's Jiya Clayton, Central Bucks East's Ella Derstine, South Fayette's Amy Allen are the other AAA girls with times under 45 seconds from last season that would look to be in the mix for high finishes.