Sprinters/Hurdlers to Watch at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic
2021 MHSAA 6A 100m State Champion, Ashton Smith of Madison Central
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Stars align in High School Boys 200m dash
Stars are set to align in the High School Boys 200m dash at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic.
Here's the fast heat:
As one can see, a lot of studs are coming out to play in this one, including Canton's La'Javeon Griffin, the #1 ranked 200m and 400m runner in MHSAA 5A, Madison Central's Ashton Smith, the 2021 MHSAA 6A 100m State Champion, MHSAA 6A 100m State Qualifier and Top 5 finisher Kennedy Stringfellow, the Brandon native who is undefeated this season, and many, many more.
The previous sprinters will be going up against a Pearl's A squad trio of 11.02 100m runner and 2022 Pearl Track and Field Opener Champion in the 100m Trent Mosley, as well as sub 11.20 guys Justice Moore and DJ Hudson.
The other two entries in the field are hometown hero Jalen of Nelson of NW Rankin who just recently went 22.49 (Miss. #6) to place runner-up to Griffin at the 2022 Northwest Rankin Sprints and Relays Meet, and Wingfield's Tyler Arrington who placed runner-up to Mosley at the 2022 Pearl Track and Field Opener, running 11.10.
Expect fast times from the fast heat at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic.
Sprinter to Watch: Addison McLauren
A stud sprinter to look out for at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic is none other than Bandon High's Addison McLauren.
McLauren is set to run in her specialty event, the 200m dash, as she is the top returner in that event at the MHSAA 6A State Meet.
McLauren just recently opened up her season with a 200m win at the 2022 Brookhaven Speed Trials running 25.74, less than 0.4 seconds off her PR of 25.35 that she set back in April of 2021.
McLauren is already way ahead of schedule than she was one year ago, and we could potentially see a sub-25 out of her this season. McLauren is also the top returner to the MHSAA 6A State Championships in the 200m, placing 2nd by 0.02 back in 2021.
It is clear that Brandon's Addison McLauren is coming into the season very fit, and will be looking to continue her momentum at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic at NW Rankin on Friday.
Sub-50 for the win in the High School Boys 400m
Another stacked sprinting event that will go down at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic is the High School Boys 400m dash, where sub-50 runners Jamin Duncan, DeJhaun Garrick, and La'Javeon Griffin.
Last week, D'Iberville's Garrick found that sub-50 400m time he had been chasing since the indoor season in a dramatic battle against Steven Johnson and Corvin Johnson, two of the best 400m runners in the state. Garrick ran 49.91 for a runner-up finish.
Watch that performance below:
Garrick is also one of the more consistent runners in the field, placing inside of the Top 2 in every outdoor meet he has run so far, including three wins.
With that being said, my gut is going to have to go with Garrick to take the title.
However, previously mentioned sprinter La'Javeon Griffin out of Canton is coming off of a lot of momentum with his 50.5 400m win at his previous meet. He is a true racer, and we can expect Griffin to go with Garrick in this loaded 400m field.
Finally, we absolutely can't count out the 2021 MHSAA 6A 400m State Champion Jamin Duncan. Although Griffin took him down at the last meet, Duncan has gone 49.5 in his career and will be looking to defend his home turf, and will surely have the crowd behind him to do so.
The fans are in for a treat as they watch the High School Boys 400m dash at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic, as it will surely take a sub-50 to win given the right conditions.
Loaded Field: High School Girls 100m
Finally, the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic will offer yet another exciting sprint event to watch, as the high school girls 100m dash will feature a star-studded field.
Let's take a look at the fast heat:
Leading the field is the 2021 MHSAA 6A 100m State Champion from Pearl, Taylor Stratton. Stratton just opened up her 2022 outdoor campaign at the 2022 Southern Miss High School Invitational placing 2nd to Alabama State Runner-Up Alana Green, and finishing as the top Mississippian.
Stratton also got an early start on her sprinting competition as she ran a pair of indoor meets over the Winter, running 7.96 in the 60m at the 2022 Last Chance Invitational.
Stratton will have her work cut out for her as she has some heavy hitters right with her, including MHSAA 2A 200m Bronze Medalist Arnecia Thomas of O'Bannon, and Canton's Jamecia Holman who has opened up her outdoor season with a pair of 12.6's.
Also included in the field is the MHSAA 4A 200m Bronze Medalist Faith Quick making her 2022 outdoor debut, Faith Quick of Florence High School.
We could see a multitude of PR's, as well as rewrite Miss. Top 5 for the 2022 outdoor season in the High School Girls 100 meter dash at the 2022 Fleet Feet Track Classic.
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Taylor Stratton winning the 2021 MHSAA 6A 100m State Title