* Kaylib Nelson is set to make his indoor debut this weekend in Louisville, KY
Photo Credit: Jennifer Schoenegge
- - -
In one of the biggest high school meets of the weekend, Eastern Indoors is the place to be for a bulk of the nation's best.
Spanning over Friday and Saturday, the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center will have it all, from sprint finishes to head-to-heads in the distance events.
Though there are dozens of notable athletes to watch this weekend. Here are seven of the top ones to keep an eye on over the next two days.
WATCH LIVE: EASTERN INDOORS
BEGINS AIRING AT 5:30 p.m. CST ON FRIDAY
For more information, check out the Eastern Indoors meet page
Cameron Todd, Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (IN): The runner-up at NXN and eighth-place finisher at Foot Locker is making his indoor debut this weekend in the two mile. Todd is one of the few boys coming into the race with a sub-nine PB, as his 8:55.93 from last June and recent cross country season make him the favorite. The state indoor record is currently 8:47.11, and Todd has all the tools to etch his name in history. He'll face Brayden Marshall, a top five finisher at Foot Locker Nationals, along with Riku Sugie and Colin Eckerman, two more Foot Locker finishers.
Kya Crooke, Heritage Christian (IN): One of the top high jumpers in the nation, Crooke enters the weekend with the No. 2 mark in the country. She's also set to make her season debut in both the long and triple jump, shooting for the three-jump sweep.
As one of the best all-around jumpers in the country, the 2023 Pan American U20 silver medalist will have a lot of eyes on her, but will be ready to go.
Julian Carter II, Marion (AR): He's unquestionably one of the best mid-distance runners in the country right now and the future Arkansas Razorback has had quite the season, running 1:52.47 and 1:19.60 over the 800m and 600m distances.
Those marks are enough for No. 3 and No. 2 in the nation, respectively. This weekend, Carter II is focusing on the 400m/800m double, as one of the top seeds in both events.
Skyye Lee, Parkway Central (MO): Entered in the 60m and 60mH, Lee is one of top athletes in both events. In the hurdles, she is the No. 1 seed and the ninth-fastest in the country this season; she has a strong shot of breaking 8.50 and moving even higher up.
For the 60m, Lee is incredibly close to her 7.57 PB, and is not far off from leaving Kentucky with a fresh lifetime best in that as well.
Kaylib Nelson, Paul Laurence Dunbar (KY): The junior is set to make his season debut this weekend in a trio of events. He's entered in the 60m, 200m and 400m.
Based off of his profile, Nelson has never competed on the indoor circuit, but for a guy who can run 10.8 and 21.17 outdoors, we're confident he'll adjust pretty easily.
Molly Farrell, Marshall (IL): After making her season debut last weekend in the 400m and 800m, the 3,200m state champion is running the two-mile and is the top seed heading in.
She clocked 10:34.17 last April at the distances and after a strong cross country season, we fully expect her to be in prime shape.
Farrell has what it takes to chase down Katelynne Hart's indoor record of 10:14.56, but even just breaking 10:29 will put her No. 2 in state history, ahead of a lot of Illinois legends.
A'laji Bradley, Pattonville (MO): Looking to continue her great senior season, Bradley has her sights set on the 60m and 400m, two events she's no stranger to.
This season, the senior has run 24.22 and 55.84 in the 400m/800m double and sh'es ranked in the top 25 in each event.
She hasn't ran a 60m yet this season, but clocked 7.71 as a junior just under a year ago.
Related Links: