Girls high school track and field: 20 athletes to watch heading into 2024 season

It's time for high school track and field athletes to take their talents outdoors.

The 2024 season started Saturday and will get into full swing in the coming days. Earlier this week we previewed some of Stark County's top boys runners, jumpers and throwers .

Here are 20 of the top girls athletes to keep an eye on this season.

Madelyn Begert, Northwest, soph.

All-Ohioan who finished sixth in the Division II 1,600 meters in a personal-best 5:04.84 at last year's state meet. Won PAC-7 and district titles in the 800 and 1,600. Came in fourth at last fall's state cross country meet.

Natalie Bisesi, GlenOak, sr.

Reigning Federal League and Division I district champion in the pole vault. Jumped a personal and county season-best 12 feet at state to place sixth.

Robbaniquea Blakely, McKinley, sr.

District runner-up and state qualifier in the Division I 100 hurdles last season. Ran a personal-best 15.09 seconds.

Ahsha DiPietro, Perry, soph.

Won seated state titles in the 100 and 400 as a freshman. Recorded a season-best time of 20.67 in the 100 prelims. Also finished third in the 800 and sixth in the shot put. Owned the state's top times in the 100, 400 and 800 going into the meet.

Ahmarie Harsh, Hoover, sr.

County's top returning sprinter. Ranked No. 1 in the 100, 200 and 400 last season. Won district titles in all three events. Finished 11th at state in the 400. Stark County Championships Sprint MVP and Federal League Girls Athlete of the Year.

Katie Ison, Minerva, jr.

Looking to make her first outdoor state meet appearance. Finished 14th in the Division II-III 3,200 indoors earlier this month. Also helped Minerva's 3,200 relay to a fifth-place finish. Helped lead the Lions to their second cross country state title in three seasons last fall.

Elena Knowles, GlenOak, jr.

Seated shot put state champion in 2022 and runner-up in 2023. Threw a career-best 18-5 last season. Ranked second in the county in the 100, 400, 800 and shot put.

Trinity Lamp, Massillon, sr.

Two-time Division I regional qualifier in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Ran a county season-best time of 45.69 in the 300 hurdles last year. Looking for her first state berth outdoors. Competed in the indoor 60 hurdles at state earlier this month.

Abigail LaPole, Jackson, soph.

Finished third in the seated shot put at state. Season-best throw of 18-9 ranked No. 1 in Ohio.

Abra Manofsky, Jackson, jr.

Division I regional champion and state qualifier in the high jump. Cleared a personal-best 5-3 at regionals. Finished 12th at state.

Kylah Meyer, Louisville, soph.

Qualified for the outdoor state meet in the Division I 3,200 as a freshman. Finished 12th in a school-record 10:58.55. District runner-up and third-place finisher at regionals. Competed in the 3,200 at this month's indoor state meet.

Camille Neutzling, Perry, sr.

Ran personal bests of 14.88 in the Division I 100 hurdles and 45.87 in the 300 hurdles at state. Finished 12th in the 100 hurdles and 13th in the 300 hurdles. Ranked No. 1 in the county in the 100 hurdles. Swept the hurdles titles at districts. Won the 300 hurdles at the Federal League meet.

Isabelle Perry, Perry, jr.

Led all county shot putters last season with a throw of 41-3. Won Division I district title and finished third at state.

Gianna Ritchie, Lake Center Christian, soph.

County's top 800 runner who ran a season-best 2:16.83 in 2023. Set Lake Center records in the 800 and 400 (1:02.78) as a freshman. Division III district and regional runner-up. Finished sixth at state.

Nora Salem, GlenOak, sr.

Top distance runner who hopes to qualify for state outdoors for the first time. Division I regional qualifier in the 3,200 last year. Helped lead GlenOak's 3,200 relay to a county title and an eighth-place finish at state indoors this season.

Daniela Scheffler, Lake, jr.

Qualified for her first state meet and finished fifth in the Division I 3,200 in 2023. Ranked No. 1 in the county with a season-best 10:41.33. District and regional champion. Finished 15th at last fall's state cross country meet.

Sydney Stepanovich, GlenOak, jr.

Top sprinter who ran on two GlenOak relays at state. Ranked No. 2 in the county in the 200 and No. 3 in the 100 last season.

Sloane Sypolt, Louisville, sr.

Top returning discus thrower who came in 12th in Division I at her first state meet last season. Threw a career best 130-8 at districts.

Lexi Tucci, Sandy Valley, sr.

Ended a strong indoor season with a third-place finish in the Division II-III high jump at state. Qualified outdoors as a freshman and was a regional qualifier as a sophomore. Also competes in the long jump and is a sprinter for the Cardinals.

Audrey Wade, East Canton, sr.

Top distance runner aiming for her third state appearance in four seasons. Finished eighth in the Division III 1,600 at state 2023. Regional qualifier in the 800.

Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

On X: @mpopovichREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Girls high school track and field: 20 athletes to watch heading into 2024 season