MileSplit All-American Watch List: Girls 100m
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Zaria Francis of Rio Mesa has developed into California's best 100m sprinter this year. She broke Marion Jones' meet record at the Ventura County Championships to rank U.S. No. 2 at 11.41, though she also ran a blazing wind-aided 11.24 (+3.8) last weekend.
Girls 100m
1. Candace Hill (Rockdale Co., GA - So.) - Hill swept the 100m and 200m at New Balance Nationals Outdoor as just a freshman. In her sophomore year, she is racing even better - Hill broke her own Georgia state records in nation-leading times of 11.30 for 100m and 23.05 for 200m.
2. Teahna Daniels (First Academy, FL - Sr.) - The New Balance Nationals Indoor 60m champion has clocked the nation's fastest wind-aided time this year, a blazing 11.15 (+2.4) versus a professional field at the Pure Athletics Elite Meet. Daniels also swept the 100m and 200m dashes at the Florida Class 4A State Championship for a second consecutive year and won the 100m at the always-loaded Texas Relays.
3. Zaria Francis (Rio Mesa, CA - Jr.) - The junior has developed into California's best 100m sprinter this year, which is no easy feat given the credentials of local rival Lauren Rain Williams, who ran All-Conditions U.S. No. 5 All-Time 22.68 in the 200m this year. Williams got the better of her at the Arcadia Invitational, but Francis won the Mt. SAC Relays. Both ladies broke Marion Jones' Meet Record at the Ventura County Championship, with Francis coming out ahead in U.S. No. 2 11.41. She ran All-Conditions US #2 11.24 (+3.8) to win the CIF Southern Section Division Finals.
4. Khalifa St. Fort (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL - Jr.) - With just two races under her belt this outdoor season, St. Fort has a definite unknown factor heading into the post-season. The former St. Thomas Aquinas athlete, now coached by Ato Boldon, won the Golden South Classic last weekend in 11.42 to rank U.S. No. 3. Her only other race this spring was a runner-up finish at the Texas Relays to Daniels (#2).
5. Lauren Rain Williams (Oaks Christian, CA - So.) - The prolific age group star has transformed into a world-beater on the high school level, though the 200m is her better event of the two short sprints. Her only losses in the 100m dash this season have come at the legs of Francis (#3). She ranks U.S. No. 6 after clocking 11.49 to break Marion Jones' meet record at the Ventura County Championship, where she finished behind Francis.
6. Krystal Sparling (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL - Sr.) - The relay stalwart for powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas finally won her first individual Florida state title after finishing runner-up in the 100m for the past two years. She was runner-up to St. Fort at the Golden South Classic in U.S. No. 4 11.44. The Texas A&M recruit runner-up at Brooks PR and fourth at the adidas Dream 100 last year.
7. Lynna Irby (Pike, IN - So.) - The sophomore took a surprise third place at the Golden South Classic in U.S. No. 5 11.47. She is on track to complete the sprint triple crown (100m, 200m, 400m) at the Indiana State Championship, a feat she managed as a freshman last year. Irby also won the USATF Youth Outdoor Championship last summer.
8. Janie O'Connor (Zachary, LA - So.) - The six-time Louisiana State Champion recently swept the 100m (11.52) and 400m (54.86) dashes in personal record time at the Class 5A state meet. She was runner-up at the Great Southwest Classic last summer and represented Team USA at the World Youth Olympic Games.
9. Taylor Bennett (Klein Collins, TX - Sr.) - Since placing third at the Texas Relays behind only Daniels (#2) and St. Fort (#4), the University of Texas signee has enjoyed an undefeated season in the competitive Texas Class 6A. Bennett ranks U.S. No. 12 with her wind-legal 11.62, though she clocked an All-Conditions US #6 11.41 (3.0) to win the state meet.
10. Alfreda Steele (Pasco, FL) - The junior swept the 2A post-season, finishing with her first 100m state title in a PR of 11.44 (+3.0). She recorded just one loss in the regular season, a runner-up finish at the Pepsi Florida Relays behind Daniels (#2). Steele ties for U.S. No. 7 with her 11.52, fourth place finish at the Golden South Classic.
MileSplit All-American Watch List: Boys 100m - Girls 100m