The Kentucky track and field state championships are this week. Here's what to watch for

J.L. Kirven, Louisville Courier Journal
·4 min read

The best track and field athletes from across the commonwealth convene in Lexington this weekend for the 2022 Clark's Pump-N-Shop State Track and Field Championships.

Held at the University of Kentucky's outdoor track and field facility, the meets start 9 a.m. Thursday with Class A, followed by Classes 2A (Friday) and 3A (Saturday).

Who's expected to finish first? Who's destined to have a break out performance? Here are five storylines to follow at the track and field state championships:

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Which Louisville schools are most likely to repeat as state champs?

Several Louisville-area schools will be looking to defend their team titles this weekend. Last year, Holy Cross and St. Xavier won the Class A and 3A boys titles, respectively. While Christian Academy and Manual were victorious in the girls' Class 2A and 3A, respectively.

Manual girls could be a favorite to repeat. The Crimsons have looked great all year and dominated the Class 3A, Region Three track and field meet May. 25. Manual won 10 of the 18 events and was led by junior Jessica Secor, who won the 1,600- (5:08.51) and 3,200-meter runs (11:08.81). The Crimsons also won the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays.

KHSAA track and field: Here's who led Manual girls, St. X boys to Class 3A, Region Three track and field titles

How will Collegiate's Reese Ragland's last run  go?

Collegiate track and field senior Reese Ragland could not be beat during the Class A, Region 3 track meet May 17. The Tulane University commit won the 400 (1:03.63), 800 (2:25.07) and 1,600 (5:18.11) races and also helped her team win the 1,600 relay in 4:29.59.

Ragland heads to Lexington looking to defend her individual state titles in the 800 and 1,600 runs. After missing time earlier in the year due to a pinched nerve in her left foot, Ragland feels like she's worked her way back into prime form just in time to cap her high school career.

"I think I've become stronger mentally because I worked through some injuries and found my way back to what I was," Ragland said. "Even though I was a little unsure sometimes, I've come out stronger in the end."

Athlete of the Week: Meet Collegiate's Reese Ragland, The Courier Journal's Athlete of the Week

Will Fern Creek's Jimmy Mullarkey have a big day and get his redemption?

Jimmy Mullarkey, a junior at the Fern Creek High School, just recently broke the school record in the 800 Meter run. He was at the school during practice in Louisville, Ky. on May 18, 2021.
Jimmy Mullarkey, a junior at the Fern Creek High School, just recently broke the school record in the 800 Meter run. He was at the school during practice in Louisville, Ky. on May 18, 2021.

Jimmy Mullarkey is one of the best long-distance runners in the state. During the cross country season, the Fern Creek senior won the JCPS Championship and Class 3A, Region 4 meet. But things didn't go his way at the state championship.

Plagued by a slick and slippery raining conditions, Mullarkey, who came in expected to finish in the Top 5, was the 21st runner to cross. Before his senior year concludes, he'll get his shot at redemption.

Mullarkey was sharp throughout the Class 3A, Region 4 track and field meet at Eastern. He swept the titles in the 800 (1:58.13), 1,600 (4:22.22)  and 3,200 (9:51.44) and could potentially finish high on the podium Saturday.

The competition will be tough, however. St. Xavier's Sami Hattab was victorious on that slippery day back in October, and he's been just as good during track season. Hattab won the two distance events at the Class 3A, Region 3 meet and will be looking to take home some state titles as well.

Can Male's boys exact revenge on St. Xavier?

St. Xavier edged Male 79-76 to win the Class 3A team title last year. The Bulldogs will be looking to snatch the crown away.

The Bulldogs have a boatload of talented athletes, including senior Jaylen Cole. The sprinter, who finished fourth in the 100 last year at states, could be even faster this year. At the regional meet he won the 100 (10.66 seconds) and 200 (21.81).

Hurdler and Wisconsin football commit Vinny Anthony won the 300 hurdles and the high jump at the same meet. The Tigers ultimately edged out the Bulldogs in overall team points 178-166, but the Bulldogs could keep the champs on their toes in Lexington.

How far can state medalist Ja'la Douglas leap this time?

Ja'la Douglas is a three-sport athlete at Louisville Central High School. She is currently running track for the school. May 25, 2021
Ja'la Douglas is a three-sport athlete at Louisville Central High School. She is currently running track for the school. May 25, 2021

There's a theme in what Ja'la Douglas competes in for Central High School. The junior competes in three sports: basketball, volleyball and track and field team.

All three of those sports utilize one of her best skillsets.

“I like to jump,” Douglas said in an interview with The Courier Journal a season ago. “I love track. It’s something I love to do outside of basketball season.”

'I wish I had ten like Ja’la': Central's three-sport athlete brings more than bounce to team

When Douglass isn't averaging 8.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Yellow Jackets, she likes to use her leaping skills on the track. At the Class 3A, Region 4 meet, Douglas won the long jump and the triple jump.

Last year as a sophomore, Douglas finished second in the state in triple jump (11.18 meters). The state champion, Sophie Galloway (Marshall County), graduated leaving Douglas as a favorite to win the title this year.

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 5 things to watch for during the KHSAA track and field state meets