N&O girls track and field preview: Mareno expected to run for Leesville

After spending her previous springs playing girls soccer, Nevada Mareno is expected to compete for Leesville Road track and field this season.

Mareno, who did not run for the Pride in the indoor season, is the national record holder in the high school indoor mile. She also won the 4A cross country title in the fall.

Last year’s teams came close to nabbing state titles. Cary Academy, Carrboro and Cary were runners-up and Cardinal Gibbons, Durham School of the Arts, Louisburg and Apex were top-four.

Defending champions

Sarah Bodmer, Jr., Cary Academy: Won NCISAA 3A 3,200.

Rebecca Brandes, Jr., Ravenscroft: Won NCISAA 3A triple jump.

Sophie Ebihara, Sr., Cardinal Gibbons: Won 3A 3,200.

G’Jasmyne Butler, Sr., Leesville Road: Won the 4A 800 and was third in the 1,600.

Elly Henes, Sr., Green Hope: Won 1,600 and 3,200 4A titles

Cara King, Soph. Apex: Won 4A wheelchair 100, 200, shot and discus.

Charlette Wade, Sr., Ravenscroft: Won NCISAA 3A 200 and was second in the 100.

Others to watch

Shamonda Bell, Soph., Princeton: Fourth in 1A 200.

Breanne Bygrave, Sr., Wakefield: Third in 4A 100 hurdles, fourth in 300 hurdles.

Mya Daye, Jr., Northern Vance: Third in 3A 200.

Marija Crook, Sr., Chapel Hill: Fifth in 3A 3,200.

Zoe Early, Sr., Apex: Runner-up in 4A pole vault.

Simi Gbadegesin, Jr., Durham School of the Arts: Fourth in 2A 400.

Samara Gibson, Jr., Corinth Holders: Fourth in 3A 400.

Olivia Goodwin, Soph., Cary: Fourth in 4A pole vault.

Charminiqu Hackney, Sr., Southeast Raleigh: Fifth in 4A 100.

Amanda Hickey, Sr., Carrboro: Third in 2A 800 and 1,600.

Kayli Hight, Sr., Trinity Durham-Chapel Hill: Second in NCISAA 1A/2A 100 hurdles

Shaniece Jones-Thames, Jr., Franklinton: Fourth in 2A 100.

Asya Macon, Sr., Southeast Raleigh: Fourth in 4A 400.

Clare McNamara, Jr., Chapel Hill: Fourth in 3A 1,600.

Shannon Moses, Sr., Durham School of the Arts: Second in 2A 100 hurdles.

Anna Passannante, Sr., Chapel Hill: Second in 3A 3,200.

Lily Price, Sr., East Chapel Hill: Fourth in 4A 1,600.

Tessa Sheets, Jr., Northwood: Indoor 3A pole vault champ was fifth last year in outdoor.

Taylor Sutton, Soph., Garner: Third in 4A high jump.

Mia Terry, Jr., J.F. Webb: Fourth in 3A discus.

Breasia Williams, Sr., Louisburg: Third in 1A discus.

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 8:25 PM with the headline "N&O girls track and field preview: Mareno expected to run for Leesville."