The Register’s list of the top girls track and field athletes to watch this season.
TOP GIRLS ATHLETES
Rachel Baxter, Canyon: The junior leads the county’s talented group in the pole vault. Baxter boasts a lifetime best of 13-4 (indoors), which tops a list of four returning state meet qualifiers. She is the defending O.C. Champion.
Amanda Gehrich, Tesoro: The senior distance star is the defending CIF State champion in the 1,600 meters. She produced a U.S.-leading time of 4:39.33 in the event at the state meet last year. Gehrich won the individual CIF-SS Division 2 title in cross country in the fall.
Kennedy Gillian, Mission Viejo.: Gillian is one of the county’s top sprinters. The senior was an All-County selection a year ago in the 200, 400 and 1,600 relay. She will be a big factor in helping the Diablos achieve their lofty goals, which include winning a county and CIF-SS Division 2 title.
Alexis Turley-Young, Canyon: The senior competes in the 100, 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. Turley-Young is proficient in all of them and a threat to win the O.C. title in each.
Ashley Willingham, Los Alamitos: She earned All-County honors in the 400 and both relay events in 2015. Willingham, a senior, took home victories in all three events to help Los Alamitos win the Orange County Championships for the first time last season.
——————————
GIRLS TRACK PREVIEW
- O.C. track season could be soaring success
- Girls track preview: Top athletes to watch this season
- Girls track preview: O.C. top 10
- Girls track preview: Others to watch this season
- Girls track preview: Important dates
- Girls track and field standards: 2016 season
——————————
