A’Lante Owens-Player
A’Lante Owens-Player is in the hunt for medals this season. The Bartlett sophomore is undefeated in the triple jump, registering a personal best of 44 feet, 4.25 inches at the Anchorage Invite. While Owens-Player is the top returner, he achieved a runner-up finish at last year’s championships and has improved upon his inaugural marks by 3.5 feet. In the long jump, he ranks fifth at 20 feet, 3.25 inches—almost four feet farther than his best a year ago. With such drastic progressions, Owens-Player is prepared to compete with the top jumpers at the region and state meet.
Ada Odden
Ada Odden has the strength to contend for the state titles in the 100 and 300 hurdles. The Ketchikan senior has been consistent throughout the season, topping the charts in the Southeast and maintaining the second rank in the state. In the 100 hurdles, Odden has taken off over a second, simultaneously resetting her school record. In addition to being undefeated in her main events, she enters the championship season with state experience, notching a runner-up and a fifth-place showing at last year’s state meet.
Hailey Ingalls
After a promising freshman season, Hailey Ingalls has continued to ascend to new heights. The sophomore from Seward High has improved her 1600 and 3200 times by 13 and 41 seconds. She recorded a pair of wins at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Championships, which bodes well moving into the penultimate week of the track season. Among small schools, she leads the rankings in the 3200 and holds the second spot for the 1600. Ingalls is on track to better her pair of top-ten finishes from her previous state championship.
Elliott Evans
When Elliott Evans first competed for Hutchison, he qualified for the state meet, racing in the preliminary heats of the 100 hurdles. Most would strive for the state finals, but the junior took his hurdling a step further, setting a school record and leading the state with a time of 41.18 in the 300 hurdles. His rise to the top includes an 8-second improvement and a chance to represent the Hawks in multiple events at the state championships next week.