Everybody loves an underdog!
We're already four weeks into the outdoor track and field season and it feels like the season is flying by and I know I have not been able to feature every athletes accomplishment's.
So as the long spring break treks on, it's time we take a look at the some of the "cinderellas" of the outdoor track and field season - it is march after all.
Scroll down to quickly read up on which athletes have been flying under the radar this spring.
Ma'Shaylia Morris, Murfeesboro
She's just a freshman, but Ma'Shaylia Morris could be Arkansas' next big thing. At the DeQueen Cub Relays, Morris set a pair of 2A-leading marks in the 200m and High Jump while setting four new personal bests across four events.
Jericho Gamble, Mineral Springs
Jericho Gamble is the defending 1A state champion in the shot put and discus and has been electric in his first three meets of the season, picking up two wins in six events. The senior from Mineral Springs owns the top marks in both throws events in 1A and ranks inside the top 10 across all six classifications.
Jane Adams, Providence Academy
When you're teammates with one of the best distance runners in the country, winning can be tough, but this spring the Providence Academy sophomore has proven otherwise. In four races this season, Jane Adams has made it to victory lane three times - two coming at the Berryville Bobcat Invitational in the 1,600m and 3,200m. Adams currently owns the AR #10 in the 3,200m and AR #13 in the 1,600m this season.
Aaron Davis, Warren
Undefeated. That's all that needs to be said about 4A's fastest sprinter, Aaron Davis, who is ranked 1st in his classification in the 100m and 200m. The junior from Warren has set a pair of personal bests this spring and will has gotten faster each time out.
Antwan Dawson, West Memphis
Wanna talk about a superstar? Look no further than the state's best long jumper, Antwan Dawson. The senior from West Memphis is undefeated in the long jump this season and brought home an indoor state title last month in the triple jump. Currently sitting AR #1 in the event, Dawson could be one of a few athletes to win multiple state titles in May.
Addison Gurley, Arkansas High School
We've talked about the junior from Arkansas HS once this year and we're going to do it again today. Addison Gurley is your 5A leader in both throws events and has won 5 of the 6 events she has competed in this spring, including her most recent wins at the El Dorado Oil Belt Relays last Thursday.
Cross Champions Getting to Work
While two of this year's cross country state champions made the trip to Boston for NBNI, the four others stayed home and have continued building some of the strongest outdoor resumes. Nicholas Wheeler (1A), Isaac Pohlmeier (2A), Rocky Stone (3A), and Matthew Thurman (4A) all lead their classifications in at least on event, and some (Wheeler and Thurman) lead in all three.
Aria Hunt & Azul Garcia, Warren
Just like on the boys side, Warren runs the sprint events in 4A. Together, the pair owns top marks in the 100m & 200m (Aria Hunt) and 400m & and 800m events (Azul Garcia) in their classification.The junior duo will look to continue defending their undefeated streaks next week as Warren is slated to attend the Magnolia Panther Relays next Thursday.
Keveahn Brown, West Helena Central
The sophomore from West Helena Central leads 3A in the discus and shot put events this season. In his first action of the year, Keveahn Brown picked up a pair of wins at the Crossett Sr. High Track Meet last Thursday and is now firmly in the mix to win his first state title.
Chris Hardin, Marion
Chris Hardin has stepped up in a big way this spring, re-establishing Marion as the mid-distance program to beat for a second straight year. Hardin ran an AR #4 in Tennessee earlier this season and holds a firm lead over the top spot in 5A. Hardin follows a long-list of strong 5A 800m runners such as Ky Bickford, River Hardman, William Hill, and his former teammate, Julian Carter.
Jakayla Walker, Mineral Springs
The defending state champion in the 1A 100m and 200m dash events is back for her sophomore season and is quickly rounding into form this season. Jakayla Walker is the 1A leader in two sprint events and also leads the classification in the 100mH, an event she has finished 2nd in three times this season.
Kaiden McHenry-Jones, Strong
Just like Walker, Kaiden McHenry-Jones leads 1A in the 100m and 200m dash events. The senior from Strong finished 2nd in the two events last week at the El Dorado Oil Belt Relays, as well as the 110m hurdles - an event he won a state title in the last two seasons.
