Coach's comment: "We're going to battle with the same people, West Jessamine, Casey (County) and Rockcastle (County), all season. We're hoping to put two girls (Wesley and Barbato) back in the 800 at state. Adams is struggling to get back, and she's a solid person in three relays. That's going to hurt us. We really feel like (Evans) is going to boost us. We have a slew of eighth-graders with talent."
BURGIN
Coach: Chris Beckerson
Top returnee: Clarissa Hunter, Sr., distance.
Notes: Hunter is in her second year on the team and will play soccer at St. Catharine College. ...Newcomer Krissy Sims will throw for the Bulldogs.
Coach's comment: "Our best high school events will be middle-distance and long-distance running events since this is where most of the returning athletes are focused."
CASEY COUNTY
Coach: Matt Willoughby
Top returnees: Nataushia Burke, Jr., throws; Rae Cowan, Jr., middle distance; Jenna Lee, Jr., middle distance; Tiffany Murphy, Jr., hurdles, pole vault; Tara Weddle, Sr., throws.
Notes: Willoughby, a classmate of former coach Barry Lee, takes over the team following Lee's promotion to principal. ... Jenna Lee was second in the state in the Class AA 800. She was part of a seventh-place finish in the 400 relay, and she and Cowan helped Casey to fifth place in the 800 relay and sixth place in the 1,600 relay. ... Burke was fifth in the state in the discus, and Murphy was ninth in the pole vault. ... Senior Jennifer Selch joins the team for the first time but has been running recreationally for some time.
Coach's comment: "I inherited a good bunch of kids. They're all well-disciplined, and they're there for the right reason. And I'm really impressed with our seniors; all the seniors we have are leaders, and ... Selch is only going to add to our distance (depth)."
DANVILLE
Coach: Sadie Gambrel
Top returnees: Andrea Payne, Sr., sprints, relays, jumps; Caroline Stroup, hurdles, relays; Shakalia Brand, Jr., sprints, relays; Candice Taylor, So., sprints, relays; Kaitlin Snapp, 8th, distance, distance relays; Diamond Pace, 8th, hurdles, middle distance, jumps.
Notes: The Admirals return the bulk of their athletes from their third place finish in Class A. ...Taylor, Payne and Stroup return from the two-time defending state 800 relay champions, and Payne and Stroup have won three straight 400 relay titles. ... Payne was seventh in the 200. ... Stroup was third in the 300 hurdles. ... Taylor was seventh in the 100 and sixth in the long jump. ... Snapp was second in the 1,600 and eighth in the 800. ... Pace was second in the triple jump. Pace and Snapp teamed with Asia Nealy and Olivia McBee to place eighth in the 3,200 relay.
Coach's comment: I'm looking for another good year, if we come out with the right attitude. I want the same effort they give in other sports, because I'm willing to give my 100 percent. Together, everyone achieves more."
GARRARD COUNTY
Coach: Dennis Custard
Top returnees: Kaitlin Adams, St., middle distance, distance; Shelby Baker, So., sprints; Jessica Gabhart, So., sprints.
Note: Garrard has eight girls out for the team this season.
Coach's comment: "I told them not to be disappointed that they don't have a track to practice on," assistant coach Angela Schaffer said. "At the first meet, I said to go push themselves and meet the goals you set. I don't think it will be a disadvantage, but something to learn from."
LINCOLN COUNTY
Coach: John Sanders
Top returnees: Alex Bunch, 7th, middle distance; Emily Frith, Fr., distance.
Notes: Sanders, one of Lincoln's two cross country coaches, takes over the track team as well this year. ... Frith was the only state qualifier last season, making the state meet in the 3,200. ... Bunch was 23rd in Class AAA in last fall's state cross country meet. ... Sanders hopes to put together competitive teams in the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays.
Coach's comment: "We're wanting to get both Alex and Emily 'close' to Kaitlin Snapp when we run at Danville. It's too soon to know how the other kids will fare, but we believe we will have several good girls relay events."
MERCER COUNTY
Coach: Lyn Flach
