We have finally made it: it's state championship week. The best high school athletes in Arkansas are set to compete in the most talented track meet in the state.
Before action across the Natural State begins, be sure to brush up on your Arkansas Track and Field with our comprehensive preview for this week's championship events.
2023 ARKANSAS OUTDOOR STATE MEET COVERAGE:
Deonte Lay has established himself as one of the best sprinters in 4A this season. Lay enters Tuesday's state championship with the fastest times in the 100m and 200m dash events in the division, as well as second in the 400m dash.
Although Lay looks poised to win a state championship to cap off his high school career, several other sprinters will challenge the senior on Tuesday. Kayden Brown, Kyman Lee, and Braeden Walton will all challenge Lay, which will make for competitive sprint races.
Garrion Curry has been unstoppable in the 110m hurdles this season, winning all five times he has lined up for the race this season. Curry owns the fastest time in Arkansas this season and the senior from Magnolia hopes to defend his state championship from last season and win his third consecutive championship in the event.
Matthew Dunsworth has dominated the 4A division since he broke out onto the scene in 2020, winning every state championship race he has competed in. The Clarksville senior currently owns the fastest 1,600m and 3,200m times in 4A and has positioned himself to collect his 10th and 11th state title this week.
Several schools would appear to have an argument that they enter this week's championship as the favorite to win a team title. Magnolia may own a slight advantage considering the success of their relay teams this season, but Ashdown, Clarksville, and Forrest City should not be counted out.
All eyes are on Anna Woolsey at the 4A girls championships. The 8-time state champion enters this weekend ranked 1st in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dash events, as well as the pole vault in 4A. The senior from Ozark has separated herself from the field and has the opportunity to finish her high school career in storybook fashion.
Maddie Cabana is the top distance runner to keep an eye on at Tuesday's championships. The junior enters the meet ranked 1st in the 1,600m and 3,200m races having won 11 of the 12 races she has lined up for this year in the two events.
Belle Lindsey has been electric this season, doing a little bit of everything. From the two hurdle races and three jump events, Lindsey has been in a class of her own. It seems like the senior's best chance of victory sits in the 300m hurdles, an event she has yet to lose in 2023, but Lindsey is also ranked 1st in the high jump and long jump, making her one of the most dangerous and versatile athletes entering Tuesday's state championships.
By themselves, Woolsey and Lindsey make their respective schools, Ozark and DeQueen, the two favorites as they could both single-handedly score over 30 points. Magnolia is another team that will hope to break up the two individual athletes and take home a team championship.