Girls Track & Field: What I'm watching at Saturday's Anna Invitational...

Of course I'm hoping the weather doesn't cancel this meet. If so, it would be the first time since 2007. Speaking of 2007, the Minster girls won the Anna Invitational the following year in 2008 and every year since. That's nine straight and if that's not enough, they've captured 16 of the last 17 titles. So, it makes perfect sense they're the top team I'm watching tomorrow and here's why:

Emma Watcke - The last time I saw this sophomore run was last June when she won a 1600 meter state title as a freshman. Emma's time that day was a personal record 5:01.08. The Anna Invite record in the 1600 was set back in 2004 by another Minster runner, Sunni Olding, who clocked a 5:00.2. There's no telling what events coach Jessie Magoto might have Emma running on Saturday, but the 1600 would be fun to watch. Whatever she does, Emma will compete.

Madeline Magoto - With the graduation of Kennedey Glover from Anna (now Division II) and Grace York from Russia, Madeline Magoto is now Ohio's top 800 meter runner in Division III. The Minster junior's PR is 2:15.07 and she also holds the current Anna Invitational record of 2:22.66.  Madeline's biggest competition this season might just come from a teammate. Senior Cassie Francis has a 2:13.8 on her resume from freshman year when she won a regional title, and last year recorded a 2:16.84 finishing 9th at state.

Madeline Magoto and Cassie Francis are two 800 meter stars

Paige Thobe - The multi-talented senior epitomizes the definition of track and field. She can fly in the sprints and her best event is the long jump where she owns a PR of 17-6.75. The Anna Invitational record is 16-8, set by Mya Francis of Minster in 2015, and I expect to see that record shattered on Saturday.

The Best of the Rest:

Rachel & Hannah Shoemaker - The sisters from Anna are half of the foursome that won a team state championship for the Lady Rockets in Columbus last spring. Rachel is a senior and Hannah is a junior, and I expect a lot of confidence from them in this 2018 season. Rachel is the better sprinter and will challenge for wins in the 100 and 200 sprints tomorrow. Hannah can blaze in the 300 hurdles where her personal best is 45.91. That means the Anna Invite record of 47.20 set by Jenny Enel of Waynesfield Goshen in 2002 is in real jeopardy.

Hannah Shoemaker could turn some heads in the 300 hurdles

Paige Jones - Yea, the same Paige Jones that's going to Michigan for volleyball. 400 meter quickness runs in her family. The senior broke her sister Taylor's 400 record at New Bremen and Taylor previously broke her mom Staci's 400 record also at New Bremen. If Paige runs the 400 on Saturday she will likely be challenged by a number of Minster competitors, but with a 58.23 PR, Paige is one to watch all season long.

Emily Bohman - The Russia senior in on radars all over Ohio this year. She's the second best pole vaulter returning in Division III with a record of 11-6. That same height also happens to be the Anna Invitational record set back in 2012 by Kayla Wuebker of Minster. You won't find a harder worker than Emily. She pole vaults year round and is focused on making 2018 her best season ever.

Emily Bohman looks forward to new heights this spring

Grace Homan - Throwers never seem to get much respect. During the regular season they typically start an hour before the crowd shows up for running events and at the state meet you have to cross the street to watch them compete. Grace Homan deserves respect. The Botkins junior is my favorite to win both the discus and shot tomorrow, although her best event is the latter, where she's a two-time state qualifier. Do yourself a favor and show up an hour early tomorrow.

Participating teams at Saturday's Anna Invitational include: Anna, Botkins, Fairlawn, Houston, Lehman Catholic, Liberty Center, Miami Valley School, Minster, New Bremen, New Knoxville, and Russia.

For everything else you need to know, click here!