The 2026 outdoor season is in full swing, and while the senior class is deep, the Class of 2027 is making it clear that they aren't waiting their turn. These juniors are already topping leaderboards and rewriting personal bests across the state.
Following our look at the state's early-season leaders, we've identified 12 standout junior girls who have established themselves as elite competitors this spring. These are based on the latest MileSplit GA rankings
The Sprinters and Hurdlers
Shaniria McCormick (Cook County): McCormick has been a model of consistency and speed, posting a sharp 11.94 in the 100m and a 24.58 in the 200m. She currently sits as one of the highest-scoring juniors in the state power rankings.
Lauren Woodall (Pope High School): A master of the barriers, Woodall has clocked a 14.85 in the 100m Hurdles. Her ability to maintain form through the finish makes her a podium favorite in the 6A classification.
Amarushakur Harris (Booker T Washington): Harris is a vital part of the powerful Washington squad, contributing a 14.00 in the 100m Hurdles, an 11.80 in the 100m, and showing great range in the 300 hurdles.
Emma Driskell (Etowah): Driskell has seen a massive breakthrough this season, dropping her 400m time by over 11 seconds to a current personal best of 1:02.44, proving she is one of the most improved long sprinters in the state.
The Distance Standouts
Cadee Benz (Lanier): Benz has been a dual-threat in the middle distance events, recording a 5:15.06 in the 1600m and a 2:28.84 in the 800m to lead the junior contingent for the Longhorns.
Aarya Patel (Savannah Country Day School): Patel has made the biggest jump in the state this year in the 3200m, shaving over two and a half minutes off her previous best to post a standout 12:05.74.
Alyssa Trevino (Marietta High School): A cornerstone of Marietta's distance program, Trevino has posted a strong 5:10 in the 1600m and a 11:16 in the 3200m, showing the endurance to compete with the state's best.
Gabriella Francis (Richmond Hill): Francis rounds out a potent Richmond Hill distance core, having clocked a 11:35.00 in the 3200m to establish herself as a top-tier junior distance runner.
The Field Leaders
Jurnee Dunbar (A.R. Johnson): Dunbar has moved into the elite tier of throwers this season. Her toss of 40-04.00 in the Shot Put is a significant improvement and marks her as one of the few juniors to crack the 40-foot barrier.
Cloe Johnson (Dodge County High School): Johnson has shown incredible development in the ring, improving her Shot Put mark by over 7 feet this season to reach a current best of 33-10.75.
Arnissa Stubbins (Cook County High School): Stubbins has emerged as a premier horizontal jumper, posting a 35-06.25 in the Triple Jump, an improvement of nearly four feet over her sophomore season.
Hannah Huff (Harris Co. High School): Huff is a consistent point-scorer for Harris County, leading the junior field in both the Discus and Shot Put with marks that have her ranked among the top ten in the state regardless of class.
The 2026 outdoor season is in full swing, and while the senior class is deep, the Class of 2027 is making it clear that they aren't waiting their turn. These juniors are already topping leaderboards and rewriting personal bests across the state.
Following our look at the state's early-season leaders, we've identified 12 standout junior girls who have established themselves as elite competitors this spring. These are based on the latest MileSplit GA rankings
The Sprinters and Hurdlers
Shaniria McCormick (Cook County): McCormick has been a model of consistency and speed, posting a sharp 11.94 in the 100m and a 24.58 in the 200m. She currently sits as one of the highest-scoring juniors in the state power rankings.
Lauren Woodall (Pope High School): A master of the barriers, Woodall has clocked a 14.85 in the 100m Hurdles. Her ability to maintain form through the finish makes her a podium favorite in the 6A classification.
Amarushakur Harris (Booker T Washington): Harris is a vital part of the powerful Washington squad, contributing a 14.00 in the 100m Hurdles, an 11.80 in the 100m, and showing great range in the 300 hurdles.
Emma Driskell (Etowah): Driskell has seen a massive breakthrough this season, dropping her 400m time by over 11 seconds to a current personal best of 1:02.44, proving she is one of the most improved long sprinters in the state.
The Distance Standouts
Cadee Benz (Lanier): Benz has been a dual-threat in the middle distance events, recording a 5:15.06 in the 1600m and a 2:28.84 in the 800m to lead the junior contingent for the Longhorns.
Aarya Patel (Savannah Country Day School): Patel has made the biggest jump in the state this year in the 3200m, shaving over two and a half minutes off her previous best to post a standout 12:05.74.
Alyssa Trevino (Marietta High School): A cornerstone of Marietta's distance program, Trevino has posted a strong 5:10 in the 1600m and a 11:16 in the 3200m, showing the endurance to compete with the state's best.
Gabriella Francis (Richmond Hill): Francis rounds out a potent Richmond Hill distance core, having clocked a 11:35.00 in the 3200m to establish herself as a top-tier junior distance runner.