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OHSAA track and field: Akron area's 10 girls with best chance to win a state championship

michael leonard, akron beacon journal
·4 min read

The 2023-24 school year may be winding down, but the OHSAA girls track postseason is about to start.

District tournaments open this week for girls track and field. Welcome Stadium in Dayton will host the state meet May 30 to June 1, and there are plenty of Greater Akron athletes seeking a state championship.

Who could achieve their goals? Here's a list of Greater Akron's top 10 girls state title hopefuls:

Kate Archer, Tallmadge, sr., pole vault

Tallmadge pole vaulter Kate Archer celebrates clearing the bar at 12-3 during the 2024 Suburban League American Conference track championships.
Tallmadge pole vaulter Kate Archer celebrates clearing the bar at 12-3 during the 2024 Suburban League American Conference track championships.

Best previous state finish: Sixth place in 2023 Division II pole vault

Why she could win a title: Beware the power of pink sunglasses. Archer has already shattered her own school and Suburban League American Conference records and is pushing to clear 13 feet. Doing so would make her a huge favorite in Dayton.

Jayla Atkinson, Stow, sr., 800 meters

Stow anchor Jayla Atkinson races away after getting the baton in the 3,200-meter relay during the 2024 Suburban League National Conference track meet.
Stow anchor Jayla Atkinson races away after getting the baton in the 3,200-meter relay during the 2024 Suburban League National Conference track meet.

Best previous state finish: 2023 Division I state champion in 800

Buchtel's Tianna Burton (back) passes the baton to Cha'Mere Hullum in the 800 relay at 2023 regionals.
Buchtel's Tianna Burton (back) passes the baton to Cha'Mere Hullum in the 800 relay at 2023 regionals.

Why she could win a title: Atkinson is a gamer. The University of Kentucky recruit turns up in big meets, and none was bigger than winning last year's 800 meters title despite a lightning delay at the state meet.

Tianna Burton, Buchtel, sr., sprints

Best previous state finish: Multiple-time All-Ohioan in sprint relays.

Why she could win a title: Burton won the City Series title in the 100 and is a senior leader of the Griffins always-dangerous sprint crew. She would love to finish her career with relay and individual gold.

Norton's Morgan Hallett finishes second in the shot put at the 2023 state meet.
Norton's Morgan Hallett finishes second in the shot put at the 2023 state meet.

More high school track and field: OHSAA track and field: Akron area's 10 boys with best chance to win a state championship

Morgan Hallett, Norton, sr., shot put/discus

Best previous state finish: Two-time Division II state champion in discus and shot put

Why she/he could win a title: Hallett has won four state titles already. What more needs said? The Ohio State recruit is thinking more than state gold; she's thinking of state records.

More high school track and field: Firestone athletes show 'resilience' to repeat as City Series champion in track and field

Nye Kimble of North (middle) wins the 200 meters followed by Miniya Mitchel of Buchtel (left) in the Akron City Series track and field championship meet, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Ellet High School.
Nye Kimble of North (middle) wins the 200 meters followed by Miniya Mitchel of Buchtel (left) in the Akron City Series track and field championship meet, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Ellet High School.

Nye'Reonna Kimble, North, sr., 200

Best previous state finish: Fourth in 2022 Division II 200 with St. Vincent-St. Mary

Why she could win a title: Kimble reached the Division I state meet last year with the Vikings, but finished off the podium. Another year of Division I competition could fuel her to the top.

Sierra Podolan, Highland, sr., shot put/discus

Highland's Sierra Podolan throws a discus during the Suburban League American Conference track championships at Tallmadge High School on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Highland's Sierra Podolan throws a discus during the Suburban League American Conference track championships at Tallmadge High School on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Best previous state finish: Sixth in 2023 Division I shot put

Why she/he could win a title: After an All-Ohio finish last year, Podolan wants to compete at state in both throwing disciplines. Although she reached the podium in shot, she might be stronger in discus.

Woodridge's Reese Reaman reacts after clinching team state title in the 1,600-meter relay at 2023 state meet.
Woodridge's Reese Reaman reacts after clinching team state title in the 1,600-meter relay at 2023 state meet.

Reese Reaman, Woodridge, sr., 800/1,600

Best previous state finish: State runner-up in 800 and 3,200 relay at 2023 state meet; third place in 1,600

Why she/he could win a title: The reigning Division II state cross country champion wants a few more gold medals before running off to Bowling Green. Reaman has shown she can perform on the biggest stage.

Highland's Katie Schuler races Revere's Keira Lang to the finish line in the 1,600 meters during the Suburban League American Conference track championships at Tallmadge High School on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Highland's Katie Schuler races Revere's Keira Lang to the finish line in the 1,600 meters during the Suburban League American Conference track championships at Tallmadge High School on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Katie Schuler, Highland, fr., 1,600/3,200

Best previous state finish: None.

Why she/he could win a title: Schuler might be this year's freshman phenom. She swept the distance titles against loaded fields at the Suburban League American Conference meet and her confidence is growing.

Twinsburg's Savannah Swanda, left, runs 100 meters at the 2023 regionals.
Twinsburg's Savannah Swanda, left, runs 100 meters at the 2023 regionals.

Savannah Swanda, Twinsburg, sr., sprints

Best previous state finish: 12th in 200 at 2022 Division I state meet; All-Ohio in multiple relays

Why she could win a title: Swanda has been a fixture on Twinsburg's state sprint team since she was a freshman. She won the 100, 200 and 400 at the National Conference meet in a display of sprint dominance.

CVCA's Kylee Zamecnik competes in the long jump at the OHSAA Division II state track & field championships on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Columbus.
CVCA's Kylee Zamecnik competes in the long jump at the OHSAA Division II state track & field championships on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Columbus.

Kylee Zamecnik, CVCA, so., long jump

Best previous state finish: Eighth in 2023 Division II long jump

Why she/he could win a title: After being All-Ohio last year, Zamecnik won the long jump and triple jump titles at the state indoor meet. If she puts up the kind of numbers she did in the indoor season, Zamecnik could be the favorite in the long jump.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 10 Akron-area girls with OHSAA track state championship hopes