Welcome to a new era of 2B girls track and field. With the majority of the girls on this list being underclassmen, we will get to know their names for the next three or four years and learn who reigns the best among the small schools. Let's meet the top 2B girls distance runners for the 2020 track season.
Keeley Brooks, Liberty Bell
Keeley Brooks brought her best at the 2B state track meet last spring in the 800 and 1,600 meter races. Brooks ran a personal best time of 2:29.18 in the 800 meter preliminaries to advance to the finals where she went on to place eighth, and then ran a personal best 5:37.54 in the 1,600 meter to place 10th. In the fall, Brooks finished 50th at the 1B/2B state cross country meet running 22:12 and was a member of the Mountain Lions second place team finish. Look for Brooks to place in the top eight at state track again in the 800 meter and also make an appearance on the podium in the 1,600 meter.
Mya Edwards, Kettle Falls
You only get so many chances to make a good first impression and Mya Edwards took full advantage of this opportunity as a freshman in track. Last spring, Edwards finished sixth in the 3,200 meter running a personal best time of 12:08.53, and finished ninth in the 800 meter preliminaries missing finals by one spot running 2:29.48, three seconds off her personal best of 2:26.8. Ran the 1,600 meter only two times last year and a ran personal best time of 5:54. In the fall, Edwards went from placing 15th her freshman year to fourth her sophomore year running a time of 19:53.2, three seconds off her season best mark of 19:50.1 from the district meet the week before. Edwards gets back to the state meet this spring in the 800 and 3,200 meter, but also the 1,600 meter too. She is more than capable of running 5:30 or faster in the 1,600 meter, and if she does, I see her placing at state in all three events.
Gabby Martin, Life Christian
Gabby Martin took the state of Washington by storm as a freshman last spring with a very impressive first year of track and field. The transfer from the great nation of Australia qualified for the 2B state track meet in three events and placed top three in all of them with personal best times. Martin was third in the 800 meter running 2:21.49 and second in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter races running 5:11.57 and 11:23.64. She was also a member of Life Christian's seventh place 1,600 meter relay team at state. In the fall, Martin took home her first ever state championship title in her young career running a dominating time of 17:57.5 at the 1B/2B state cross country meet, finishing by almost 90 seconds than the second place finisher. Ran a personal best time of 17:32.8 at the district meet the week before state. Martin is the best at this level and will be the best for the next three years, but what is she capable of when she goes up against larger school competitors such as Glacier Peak, North Central, Camas, and other notable names? Look for her to continue her success winning three more state titles this spring at the 2B ranks.
Selena Niemi, Rainier
Two podium finishes at the 1B/2B state cross country meet in your freshman and sophomore years are good signs for what's to come this spring for Selena Niemi. Starting the season off at 20:30 in the 5,000 meter, Niemi dropped her time down by almost a minute when she reached the district meet running a personal best time of 19:37.5, and then the following week ran 20:38.9 for her 12th place finish at state. Although Niemi didn't qualify for state in an individual event last track season, she was a member of the second place 1,600 meter relay team for Rainier. Her individual personal best times are 2:35.1 in the 800 meter, 5:38.87 in the 1,600 meter, and 12:54.2 in the 3,200 meter. With Rainier competing in the toughest district in the state for 2B, Niemi needs to hit qualifying times in order to make it the to state meet in Cheney.
Chloe Overberg, Asotin
This years dark horse pick belongs to Asotin's Chloe Overberg for the 2B girls. As a freshman, Overberg qualified for the 2B state track meet and was fourth in the 1,600 meter running a personal best time of 5:28.52 and 3rd in the 3,200 meter running a time of 11:54.26, 18 seconds off her personal best time of 11:36.94. Overberg was part of the Asotin cross country team this past fall, but didn't participate or qualify for the state meet. She did qualify for 1B/2B state meet as a freshman and placed fifth overall running a time of 20:02.5. In the same season, Overberg ran a personal best 19:06 in an earlier meet. With the talent this young runner brings to the table, look for Overberg to improve upon last seasons results and be a top three finisher in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter races.
Olivia Roberts, Life Christian
Olivia Roberts can do it all on the track. Whether it's from running sprints or distance, Roberts shows excellent signs of great athleticism. Roberts qualified for three events last spring at the 2B state track meet and placed 14th and 12th in the 400 and 1,600 meter races and was a member of the 1,600 meter relay ream for Life Christian. Ran personal best marks of 1:03.38 in the 400 meter, 2:36.41 in the 800 meter, and 5:36.37 in the 1,600 meter. In the fall, Roberts went onto place 11th at the 1B/2B state cross country meet, improving upon her freshman year finish where she was 25th. Ran a time of 20:30.8 in Pasco, which is only 13 seconds off her personal best time of 20:17 from the week before at districts. Roberts sees herself getting back to state this spring in the 400 and 1,600 meter, but add on the 800 meter as well. She's a top eight finisher for sure in all three.
Gretchen Stottlemyre, Northwest Christian (Lacey)
Gretchen Stottlemyre has some big shoes to fill this upcoming season after her Northwest Christian of Lacey teammate, Ava Shackell, has moved on to continue her running career at Arizona State University. But Stottlemyre returns as one of the top athletes not only in running, but on the field too. Last spring, Stottlemyre placed seventh in the 800 meter running a personal best time of 2:28.64 and 13th in the 1,600 meter running 5:50.44, 17 seconds off her personal best time of 5:33.39. As I mentioned she can compete well on the field in events, Stottlemyre was 11th at the same state meet in the Javelin throwing 96 feet, six inches. Her personal best throw is 105 feet, seven inches. Stottlemyre is top a five candidate in the 800 and 1,600 meter races for state. Look for her to get down to 2:25 in the 800 and 5:25 in the 1,600.
Emily Vogel, Friday Harbor
With the times Emily Vogel has run in the last two years, you know she is destined for a breakout season soon enough. That soon enough is this season. As a sophomore, Vogel qualified for the 2B state track meet and went on to place 13th in the 800 meter preliminary round running 2:35.03 and 11th in the 1,600 meter running 5:40.68. Ran personal best times in both events the week before at her district meet running 2:33.96 and 5:35.26. Returning in her junior year as the top runner in her district, Vogel gets back to state in the 800 and 1,600 meter races, but finds a spot on the podium in both of them for the first time in her career.
Editor's Note: The top 2B girls distance runners list was compiled by track and field and cross country analyst Keenan Gray.