Athletes to Watch at the CIF T&F Championships

Here’s some athletes we’re watching at the CIF Track and Field Championships

Hurdling siblings -- Anisa Bowen-Fontenot and Jasir Fontenot from San Diego High are both trying to win state titles in the high hurdles.

Potential king and queen of the ring -- McKay Madsen of Clovis North and Jaslene Massey from Aliso Niguel could each sweep the shot put and discus titles in their respective genders

Girls 300 hurdles state record -- Morgan Herbst of Carlsbad High set the state record in the girls 300 hurdles at the San Diego Section Masters meet by running 39.95. Perhaps she will lower the mark again and repeat as champion, but she also has to compete against Kaylin Edwards of Long Beach Wilson and Anisa Bowen-Fontenot of San Diego.

New fastest man -- With reigning sprint champion Brandon Arrington Jr. from Mount Miguel not competing this weekend because of injury, a new star could emerge in the 100 or 200, with Jaden Jefferson of Concord De La Salle, Benjamin Harris from Servite, Demare Dezeurn of Alemany and Rodney Sermons from Rancho Cucamonga.

Great girls distance battles -- The girls 3,200 on Saturday should include Rylee Blade of Corona Santiago, Holly Barker from Trabuco Hills, Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery, Chiara Dailey of La Jolla and Jaelyn Williams from Chula Vista Eastlake. Dailey and Braelyn Combe of Corona Santiago, plus Kinga Czajkowska from Palo Alto will compete for the girls 1,600 title.

Pole position -- Khaliq Muhammad of Pittsburg High could win the boys pole vault title after his sister Jathiyah Muhammad captured the girls pole vault championship last year. Paige Echsner of Del Norte High, who finished second behind Jathiyah Muhammad last year, is the clear girls favorite this season.

Boys middle distance marquee matchups -- Boys 800 has potential for several sub-1:50 performances, led by Josiah Bowman from Sage Creek, Wyland Obando of Long Beach Wilson and Alden Morales from JSerra. Boys 1,600 could produce multiple sub-4:05 efforts, including Conor Lott from Clovis North, Benjamin Bouie of Crystal Springs Uplands and Luke Sanders from host Buchanan.