A look at the girls competition at state track

A preivew of what to watch for in girls competition at the state track meet

CLASS 4A

Individuals to watch: It's a field full of superstars. West Des Moines Dowling's Katie Flood and Ashlie Decker are projected to dominate the distance events while Sioux City East's Shelby Houlihan and Ellen Dougherty are middle-distance whizzes. Jessica Gehrke gives Iowa City West a sprinting ace - she's the top seed in the 100, second in the 200 (behind Iowa City High's Ashley Wilkinson), third in the long jump and anchors West's favored 400 relay.

Teams to watch: A year ago, three teams scored in the 90s, with Waukee edging Iowa City High and Iowa City West for the title. Waukee is out of the hunt, but both Iowa City schools figure into the mix, along with West Des Moines Valley, West Des Moines Dowling and Sioux City East. Valley and West both are projected to score in the 70s. Dowling will score big in the distance races while West should tabulate serious points in Gehrke's events and the throws. City High has a habit of outscoring its premeet seeds, and it would be foolish to overlook the Little Hawks.

CLASS 3A

Individuals to watch: Mount Vernon-Lisbon has a dynamic trio in Alex Wilson (rated No. 1 in the 800 and 1,500), Holly Salzbrenner (the leader in the 400 hurdles) and Karly Cochrane (anchors the relays). Benton Community might have the best freshman in the state in middle-distance runner Madison Weekly while Fairfield's Libbey Schubert is the top contestant in the 100 and 200.

Teams to watch: Dubuque Wahlert outscored defending champion Mount Vernon-Lisbon at the regional meet last week, but that's no reason for the self-named Zebras to panic. It happened last year as well, and MV-L responded to win at state fairly comfortably. If projections hold, MV-L can score in excess of 80 points, which is a higher ceiling than Wahlert can reach. Waverly-Shell Rock appears to be the best of the rest, along with Benton Community and Fairfield.

CLASS 2A

Individuals to watch: Uh, maybe Hannah Willms? She was a triple-winner at the Drake Relays and is the top seed in four events - the high jump, 200, 400 and sprint medley relay. Northeast/East Central has a girl that can match her, though, in distance ace Morgan Casey, the top seed in the 800, 1,500, 3,000 and distance medley relay. Taylor Twedt of West Fork is seeded in the top three in four events (100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, high jump, sprint medley) and Iowa City Regina's Kristen Gaffey is a threat of sweeping the throws.

Teams to watch: It's somewhere between possible and likely that Dike-New Hartford and Northeast-East Central will reach the 40-point mark behind Willms and Casey, respectively. So, who can beyond that number? Solon and Hudson are the best bets behind their sprint relays, but could cancel each other out somewhat.

CLASS 1A

Individuals to watch: The premier runner, without a doubt, is Logan-Magnolia senior Alex Gochenour. She comes to Drake Stadium seeded No. 1 in four events - the 100, 200, 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles. Audrey Griffin of Clinton Prince of Peace and Cassie Stuflick of Danville are the top distance runners. Locally, Brittany Clarke of Springville is the top seed in the 400 and anchors some dangerous relays.

Teams to watch: If Gochenour doesn't disappoint, she can get Logan-Magnolia to 40 points on her own, and the Panthers are projected to score some points in the field events. Central Lyon appears to be the strongest challenger, based on its relay muscle. Clinton Prince of Peace and Griswold also could be factors.