From many, there will be one. While there’s no guarantee contending athletes will win their state at this point in the season, a number of elite performers are making a case for Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year consideration. Here’s the scoop on the latest top candidate.

Ariana Washington
Junior sprinter, Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)

Greatness Present: It’s not easy to take home two titles at the California Interscholastic Federation state meet, especially when you’re shooting for a sprint double. Yet, Washington pulled off that feat for the second consecutive time this past weekend.

Washington won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.39 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 23.22 seconds, leading the Jackrabbits to the team title. Her 100-meter time ranks as the No. 3 performance among prep competitors this season. She also anchored Poly’s winning 4×100-meter relay squad that finished in a U.S. No. 1 time of 44.93 seconds.

Washington clocked the country’s second-best 200-meter time of the season when she won the Southern Section Masters in 23.18 seconds.

Greatness Past: The returning Girls Track Athlete of the Year as named by the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Washington also swept the 100- and 200-meter dashes as a sophomore at the 2012 state meet. Her winning times of 11.45 and 23.41 seconds respectively ranked as the No. 5 and No. 2 performances of the 2012 outdoor season.

Washington finished second behind Florida sprint sensation Kali Davis-White in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.50 at the New Balance Indoor Nationals this past winter.

Greatness Future: Washington will be a senior next year.

Make no mistake: The Gatorade State Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year races aren’t over, and the National AOY race is heating up. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top.Check back daily for updates on top contenders making their case.