Look for Anna Foreman to be a major factor for the Chandler Wolves this spring. Arizona Milesplit photo.
Anyone who has been around Arizona track and field for a while knows that year in and year out Chandler High School is a power to be reckoned with. Most recently track fans will remember Ky Westbrook , Imani Adams, Bianca Finn and Tope Williams. The four of them were huge scorer for Wolves, and they will be huge scorers for their respective colleges moving forward. However, this causes a problem for Coach Eric Richardson. Where will Chandler score points this year?
Thankfully, graduation didn't leave the cupboards bare. In every event group Chandler returns some solid talent. Alexis Nichols and Gabby Enns will specialize in the 800m and the 1600m. Incoming freshman Anna Foreman should push them in the 800m. Though Anna's specialty may be one event shorter. She has already run 57.41, a time that would have qualified her for state last year. Look for her to be on the podium come May. Solid teammates help out a lot, and Anna will have that advantage as LaMeyah Charlton looks to create an in house rivalry. Anna is not the only freshman who will challenge the status quo in distance races though. Ava Hamilton has a chance to claim the top position for the Wolves in the 1600m.
It is no secret outside of Arizona Chandler has been very good at track. The sprinting events are known as their bread and butter event not just locally, but nationally. Count on Anaya Bailey, Taylor Patton, and Lamaya Williams to lead the way as the top returners for Chandler High. The three of them form a solid nucleas for a 4x100m team as well. Look for newcomer Nastasia Peevy who has already run 12.33 in the 400m, to join them. Chandler's long established tradition of being fast certainly extends to the hurdlers. Arniesha Mitchell, Leilani Conway are the top returners in both the 100H and 300H for the Wolves and should be at the front again. Freshman Jai Gruenwald won't let them sit comfortable at the top of the heap though, as she hopes to be among the top hurdlers in the Chandler area.
Jai is a versatile athletes, in addition to the hurdles, she competes in the long jump. Having already jumped 18' she looks to mix it up with Tiana Poirer-Shelton and Kennedy Broom this season. Tiana and Kennedy are the top jumpers returning in the long jump and triple jump and hope to score points this spring for the Wolves. The jumps aren't the only field event where Coach Richardson looks to score points. Expect returners Corneisha Mitchell and Xandra Miller to compete with the best of the best in the east valley in the shot put and discus. Freshman Samantha Ponds wants to make sure she is in the mix as well.
In the past Chandler has depended on a few key athletes for big chunks of their points. With these athletes now scoring points in the NCAA, this year's focus will be on the team. Look for the Wolves to continue the legacy set by past athletes, and don't count on them being down from previous years come May.