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The Republic's top HS girl's track and field athlete rankings ahead of the postseason

Logan Stanley, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

As the two-month mark of the outdoor high school track and field season nears and with the postseason on the horizon, The Arizona Republic breaks down and ranks which athletes have stood out the most so far this spring. It’s been another great year in the hurdles while the sprints continue to see historic marks.

Here are The Republic’s top girl’s track and field athletes in 2024 and the ones to watch for as championship season quickly approaches.

1. Kori Martin, Chandler Hamilton, hurdles, Sr.: The Kentucky commit broke the 100-meter state record at the Nike Chandler Rotary Invitational, running 13.32 seconds. Ranked No. 3 in the country.

Kori Martin from Hamilton High School congratulates Cesar Chavez High School's Mayen Usoro on her win at Chandler High School on March 23, 2024.
Kori Martin from Hamilton High School congratulates Cesar Chavez High School's Mayen Usoro on her win at Chandler High School on March 23, 2024.

2. Mayen Usoro, Laveen Cesar Chavez, sprints, So.: Has run 11.50 in the 100 meters and 23.48 in the 200 meters, both ranked first in Arizona. The 100-meter time is No. 3 all-time in state history and the 200-meter time is No. 2 all-time. Also the state leader in the 400 meters at 56.29.

3. Annaleise Taylor, Waddell Canyon View, hurdles, Sr.: The state leader in the 300-meter hurdles at 41.79, ranked No. 5 in the country. Also has run 13.94 in the 100-meter hurdles, No. 25 in the country.

4. Gabriella Garcia, Chandler Basha, throws, Sr.: She’s signed for Oklahoma for softball, but she continues to dominate the track scene with her state lead of 159-2 feet in the javelin. Ranked No. 4 in the country.

5. Nicole Ripperdan, Queen Creek, distance, So.: The younger sister of Utah State commit, Zachary Ripperdan, Nicole is making a name for herself as the current state leader in the 800 meters at 2:13.64.

6. Stacey Onyepunuka, Avondale Agua Fria, sprints, Sr.: While Usoro has been making headlines, Onyepunuka has turned in a great season as well. Has run 23.61 in the 200 meters, which is No. 4 all-time in state history – just .01 seconds off her big sister, Jessica.

7. Brooklyn Montgomery, Gilbert Campo Verde, throws, Sr.: The BYU commit is No. 1 in Arizona for the discus at 149-1.

8. Aniya Smith, Waddell Canyon View, sprints, Jr.: Has run 56.58 in the 400 meters, which is the No. 2 time in the state so far – just ahead of last year’s AIA Open Division champion, Campo Verde senior and North Carolina commit Lea Spindell.

9. Kyana Williams, American Leadership Academy Queen Creek, jumps, So.: The state leader in a crowded field for the high jump at 5-5.25.

10. M’tima Hamilton, Mesa Red Mountain, jumps, Sr.: The ASU commit has recorded a mark of 39-4.5 in the triple jump, No. 1 in Arizona.

Honorable mention: Brooklyn Hanania, Phoenix Desert Vista, distance, Sr.; Erika Grossman, Goodyear Millennium, throws, Sr.; Sydnee Finch, Eager Round Valley, throws, Jr.; Zalaya Dupre, Glendale Copper Canyon, jumps, Jr.; Jocelyn Phillips, Chandler Basha, jumps, Sr.; Kimi Cahoon, Paradise Valley Country Day School, distance, Sr.; Bryn Kupfer, Snowflake, jumps, Fr.; Jea Genet, Gilbert Highland, throws, Sr.; Kayla Lark, Chandler Basha, distance, Jr.; Madisyn Williams, Chandler Hamilton, jumps, Sr.; Juliana Garcia, Chandler Basha, throws, Jr.; Eleanor Borchard, Phoenix Xavier Prep, hurdles, Jr.; Jaiden Ware, Chandler Hamilton, sprints, So.; Camryn Delancey, Gilbert Highland, distance, So.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Republic's top HS girl's track and field athlete rankings ahead of postseason