By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Here is an event-by-event breakdown of what to look for in the girls field events Friday and Saturday at the 99th CIF State Championships:

High jump

Favorite: Cassie Ackemann, San Lorenzo Valley. Although she was fourth at the 50th Arcadia Invitational in April, Ackemann was the only individual to clear 5-9 in her section final or Masters meet and shares the state lead with a 5-10 clearance this season.

Other contenders: Cassidy Palka, Oaks Christian; Iesha Hamm, Bakersfield Stockdale; Chinenye Agina, Sanger. Hamm had been the most impressive performer entering the postseason, but finished runner-up to Agina at the CIF Central Section Masters, the second time she had been edged this year by the Sanger junior. Palka won last season’s title in a jumpoff and possesses the experience to win another close competition this year.

Sleeper: Katie Hurst, Fortuna. After placing third last year as a freshman, Hurst has a 5-9 clearance this year, but she will need to perform better than she did at the Stanford and Arcadia invitationals in order to contend for the championship.

Long jump

Favorite: Tara Davis, Agoura. Although she has a significant edge over the rest of the field, Davis is still seeking her first championship in the event and is taking nothing for granted after placing second last year and third her first two seasons. The state meet record is 22-0.50 (6.71m) by Thousand Oaks’ Marion Jones in 1993 and Davis jumped a wind-aided 22-3.75 (6.80m) at the CIF Southern Section Division 2 finals May 20.

Other contenders: Nicole Warwick, Modesto Christian; Katherine Jackson, Rodriguez. The only other individuals in the state besides Davis with 20-foot jumps this season, it will take a significant improvement for either CIF Sac-Joaquin Section standout to challenge for the title.

Sleeper: Jonon Young, Carson. Despite competing with a sore ankle, Young still won L.A. City Section titles for the Colts. The junior will be a significant factor in whether Carson can repeat as team champions, especially if she can approach her personal-best 19-8 (5.99m) from last season.

Triple jump

Favorite: Kali Hatcher, St. Mary’s Berkeley. Perhaps the biggest challenge to Agoura senior Tara Davis trying to achieve a triple threat by winning the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump comes from Hatcher, who boasts a state-leading 42-3 (12.87m). The junior has placed seventh and third the past two seasons.

Other contenders: Tara Davis, Agoura; Allanah Lee, Castro Valley; Arianna Fisher, Silver Valley. Along with Hatcher, all three athletes have surpassed 41 feet, with each one capable of winning the title. Davis is the defending champion and has a personal best of 43-2 (13.15m) from last year.

Sleeper: Asia Mallory, Desert. The sophomore, who won the Central Section Masters titles in both the long jump and triple jump despite nursing a leg injury, is only scratching the surface of her potential and has the opportunity to make the podium in both events.

Pole vault

Favorite: Rachel Baxter, Anaheim Canyon. After improving on her own state record with a 14-4 (4.36m) clearance at the CIF Southern Section Masters meet, Baxter is not only in position to surpass her state meet record of 14-2 (4.31m) from last year, but possibly challenge the 2015 national high school record of 14-7.50 (4.45m) set by Lexi Weeks of Cabot, Ark.

Other contenders: Brooke Tjerrild, Clovis North; McKenna Caskey, Mater Dei; Kate Thomas, Santa Margarita. Caskey is No. 6 in state history after clearing 13-8 (4.16m) last year and Tjerrild improved to 13th all-time in the state after her 13-5 (4.08m) clearance at the CIF Central Section Masters meet, with Thomas at 15th after clearing a personal-best 13-4 (4.06m) at the Orange County Championships.

Sleeper: Laurel Wong, Santa Catalina. The sophomore continues the strong tradition of vaulters from the Central Coast Section following Pacific Collegiate’s Erika Malaspina last year. Wong cleared 13-2 (4.01m) at the 50th Arcadia Invitational in April.

Discus throw

Favorite: Obi Amaechi, San Francisco Lincoln. The defending champion has an opportunity to become the seventh athlete in state history to repeat, but it will likely require a personal-best performance from Amaechi or any of her challengers in order to secure this year’s championship.

Other contenders: Ashley Anumba, Los Osos; Jocelynn Budwig, Fowler. Anumba, Budwig and Amaechi are all separated by one foot and all return from last year’s finals, but perhaps the biggest advantage Amaechi could have over her challengers is the ability to perform under pressure, producing the winning mark in the final round last year.

Sleeper: Erica Grotegeer, Wheatland. After placing 16th at last year’s state prelims, the three-time CIF Northern Section champion has added 12 feet to her personal best and is one of only four throwers in the state who have surpassed 160 feet this season.

Shot put

Favorite: Faimalie Sale, Los Alamitos. Her personal-best 46-11.75 (14.31m) at the CIF Southern Section Masters meet was the best performance by any of the top challengers in the month leading up to the state meet and her third time surpassing 46 feet. The past five champions have all produced marks beyond 47 feet, so Sale might need another PR to capture the title.

Other contenders: Obi Amaechi, San Francisco Lincoln; Ashley Anumba, Los Osos; Alladia Patterson, Louisville. Amaechi boasts a state-leading 47-8.5 (14.54m), with Anumba and Patterson both surpassing 46 feet in a balanced field that doesn’t feature a dominant performer like the past five years with San Jose Valley Christian’s Elena Bruckner and Dos Pueblos’ Stamatia Scarvelis.

Sleeper: Hannah-Sophia Hall, James Logan. The junior took a big step forward with her 46-2.5 (14.08m) at the Sacramento Meet of Champions and returns after placing 11th in last year’s finals.