Top Female 400

1/2/2012

By Coach Cash

Montayla Holder                        12         Lawrence Central

            One of the most versatile runners in the state. Daughter of Washington HS great Monterrio Holder.

Maggie Bell                   12         Chatard

            Tough minded and gutsy runner. Like an upgraded version of Marta Scheiwe.

Anietra Butler                12         Ben Davis

            I'm not sure if she has ever run to her full potential. Ran a leg of the 4x100 just before her open 400 race. 

Brittany Neeley              11         Eastern (Greentown)

            Competed in the New Balance Nationals this past summer. I think that will help her a great deal. Most Indiana girls don't understand the value of national

competition.

Gabby Sims                  10         Columbus North

            At 6'0, this three sport star should make a huge improvement this year. Here's hoping for an injury free basketball season.

Jasmin McCray             12         Lawrence Central

            I think she will make another big jump this year, even though last year was her breakout season.

Taylor Wiley                  12         Evansville Central

            The big question is whether or not she will attempt the most difficult double in track and field: the 400/800 double. She is a great 800 runner, but is deceptively quick.

Karrina Smith                10         Snider

            Honestly she didn't look like a freshman last year, she's built like a FloJo clone. I don't see her having to run the 4x8 this season, so expect a huge improvement.

Kalyn Davis                  12         Anderson

            Extremely talented, and will likely do the heptathalon in college. Unfortunately, high jump interferes with this race, so it can make for some understandably erratic performances.

Aaliyah McKinney          12         South Bend Adams

            I think she is better than where I have her ranked, but I have to take into account the fact that she doesn't run this event much after the indoor season.

Bre White                      10         Fishers

            Extremely hard worker, and has the luxury of running summer track with the core of her team. She could afford to put in some extra work in the weight room. She can't do much about her height, but she can do a lot to increase her power.

Debbie Ruiz                  12         Warren Central

            I'm really excited to see what she is going to do this year, mainly because new coach LeGretta Smith has won 4 consecutive state 4x400 titles, and is awesome at developing 400 runners.

Latrice Bolton                10         Northrop

            Has a twin sister, Patricia(she runs distance). Used to be a hurdler, but bounced around a lot last year. I'm not sure if she'll remain in this event or move up to the 800.

Kendricka Caldwell        10         Northwest

            She is very talented, especially as a long jumper. I don't see her winning a state championship in high school, but I see her being an All-American in college. Huge upside.

Erica Schmok               10         Hamilton Southeastern

            I think if she can find quality competition in the shorter sprints early on, it will help her in the 400 in the latter stages of the season.

Maggie Hartnagel          10         Mishawaka Marian

            Not sure why she was disqualified at last years state meet, but I'm sure it was caused by freshman jitters. The soccer star should have a better year on the oval.

Adi Dilger                     11         Forest Park

            Wonder how much she will get out of training this year without Athena Haake. She will definitely need to find some tough competition, which is not an easy task in her region.

Brittni Beerman              12         Dekalb

            I don't think she is that much better than her chief rival, Shana Christian. But she had the better race at the right time, and has a better build for the event.

Elissa Zachman             12         Heritage Christian

            Foot speed definitely needs to increase. Would love to see her run the shorter sprints against good competition early in the year.

Mallory Hester               12         Carroll

            Another good basketball player. And ballers are hard to work with because they miss so much early season training. Lacks and explosive start, but maintains her speed rather well.

Molly Gorgol                 10         Fishers

            Seems more of a soccer 1st, track 2nd type of kid. But she has a goodbuild for the race, and Fishers Coach Ceasar is great at developing 400 runners.

Kaitlyn Kendall              10         Franklin Central

            She's in a tough position because FC treats the 400 like a short distance race, rather than a sprint. She'll be plenty strong, but foot speed will remain a question.

Shana Christian             12         East Noble

            Tough runner, but will have to abandon her sit and kick strategy, and take the race out from the start.

Kelsie Thomas              12         Wabash

            Also a volleyball player. I found the most interesting thing about her is that she would like to study nuclear medicine. Also look for her to drop the 200 late in the season.

Erica Manchess             12         Pendleton Heights

            A soccer player that runs with "soccer arms". Could easily drop half a second if she corrected that. Easier said than done.