ALBANY -- White County distance runner Jenna Gearing has never run away from a challenge. In fact, running into the challenge is what she does best.
Gearing, a junior, will go for her third straight title in the 3,200-meter run, but her first in Class AAAA, as she and the Lady Warriors travel to Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany beginning Thursday for the state track and field meet. The three-day event runs through Saturday.
Gearing also won the 1,600 last year in Class AAA but, according to the experts, Morgan Ilse of Marist is a heavy favorite to repeat in both in the rugged AAAA events.
White County girls track and field coach Heidi Dotson said Gearing is looking forward to it.
"This year's going to be very difficult for Jenna to win state," Dotson said. "There's some very tough competition from Marist and St. Pius. Jenna's very excited; she knows it's a challenge and she's ready for it. She always comes on late in the track season because she also plays soccer, so she's hitting her peak now."
Dotson said the target numbers for Gearing are certainly within reach.
"(Jenna) will have to her best time she's ever run to win another state title but it's possible," Dotson said. "She'll probably need to break 11 minutes (in the 3,200) and have to go under five minutes (in the 1,600). That's doable. Last year she did the 3,200 in 11:05 and the mile in 5:03.
"But, it's going to be hot and humid for sure, and that makes it tough. It makes it so much harder to breathe."
Gearing, of course, isn't the only area standout with a chance to bring home some hardware. North Hall's Harper Seymour has had an impressive season in the discus and shot put.
Flowery Branch is taking a large contingent in Class AAAAA and coach Jimmy Sorrells said they are looking to score some points, especially in the 1,600 and 3,200 with a pair runners in each event. Mariah Millsap and Erika Plummer will go in the 1,600 and Hailey Pierson and Cassie Ward will run in the 3,200.
"I feel very positive about the girls in the 1,600 and the 3,200. I think they will have a chance to finish in the top eight," Sorrells said. "Heather Moore is going to have to push herself in the 800, but she definitely has the potential to qualify for the final. Summer Boone has had a great week of practice in the hurdles and will hopefully put herself in a position to be in the finals as well. Victoria Lewis has also worked very hard this week on vault and is looking to finish very strong."
Gainesville coach Philip Davis has just one qualifier for state -- pole vaulter Faith Moss -- but said they are excited about her opportunity.
"It's about being part of the best of the best in the state," Davis said. "For a young team such as ours, to have anyone there competing is tremendous."
Jefferson in Class AAA will take the largest local contingent with over a dozen competitors in 12 different events. Commerce in Class A will have nearly a dozen competitors in 10 different events. Both are considered contenders for a state title in their respective classifications.
AREA QUALIFIERS FOR GHSA GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Thursday-Saturday, Albany
CLASS AAAAAA
Habersham Central
Scarlett Mayes -- high jump
CLASS AAAAA
Flowery Branch
Summer Boone -- 100 hurdles
Victoria Lewis -- pole vault
Mariah Millsap -- 1,600 meters
Heather Moore -- 800 meters
Hailey Pierson -- 3,200 meters
Erika Plummer -- 1,600 meters
Cassie Ward -- 3,200 meters
Gainesville
Faith Moss -- pole vault
CLASS AAAA
Buford
Erin Marsh -- 400 meters, 300 hurdles
Dominique Martin -- high jump
Zikaya Wright -- discus
Chestatee
Abigail Cliche -- 3,200 meters
Lindsey Grater -- 1,600 meters
North Hall
Makayla Ellis -- 1,600 meters
Trinidad Puente -- 100 hurdles
Mary Seid -- pole vault
Harper Seymour -- discus, shot put
White County
Jenna Gearing -- 1,600 meters, 3,200 meters
Rachel Gearing -- triple jump
Kristen Mitchell -- 800 meters
CLASS AAA
Banks County
Carli Broome -- 800 meters
Kaitlyn Duncan -- high jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles
Makayla Hewell -- 1,600 meters, 3,200 meters
Allison Smith -- high jump
Dawson County
Bailey Cotter -- 1,600 meters, 800 meters
Savannah Haberkam -- discus, shot put
Katelynn Simpson -- 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles
East Jackson
4x400 relay
Robin Adair -- high jump, 300 hurdles, 4x400
Pittman Annice -- 400 meters, 4x400
Jhalexuis Chandler -- discus, shot put
Lexie Evans -- discus
Sue Anne Moralis -- 1,600 meters, 800 meters, 4x400
Fannin County
Julie Jacobs -- Pole Vault
Jackson County
Destiny Gaudlock -- triple jump
Sawyer Vickers -- long jump
Sadondra Wells -- pole vault
Jefferson
4x100 relay
4x400 relay A and B
Akera Benton -- long jump, 4x100, 4x400
Maggie Dyer -- 3,200 meters, 4x400
Magan Greer -- pole vault
Taylor Love -- 300 hurdles, 4x400
Madison Lucas -- pole vault
Tashauna Smith -- triple jump, 400 meters, 200 meters, 4x100, 4x400
Mariah Starks --100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4x100, 4x400
Mackenzie Wells -- high jump, 4x400
Lumpkin County
Kele Howerton -- pole vault
Sydney Kinard -- long jump, triple jump
West Hall
Kristine Hunter -- shot put
Mia Mckensey -- high jump, 100 hurdles
Mackenzie Satterfield -- pole vault
CLASS AA
Rabun County
Taylor Beck -- 400 meters, 800 meters, 4x400
Jordan Gihl -- 100 hurdles, 4x400
Perryn Morgan -- pole vault
Katie Mae Smith -- pole vault
Elizabeth Sprinkle -- discus, shot put
Union County
Emma Garrison -- 1,600 meters, 800 meters
CLASS A Public
Commerce
4x400 relay
Marae Carruth -- high jump, 4x400
Anna Flint -- discus throw, shot put
Rachel Floyd -- discus throw, shot put
Lexie Garnto -- 3,200, 4x400
Anna Hardy -- pole vault, 300 hurdles, 4x400
S'Brasha Jones -- triple jump
Kate Massey -- 1,600 meters, 3,200 meters, 4x400
Savannah Mullis -- high jump
Madison Rodriguez -- 1,600 meters, 800 meters, 4x400
