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DyeStat IL – IHSA 3A Girls State Track and Field Meet PreviewPublished by
Lincoln-Way East attempts a 3A state championship three-peat
By Michael Newman
Slowly Coach Brian Evans and his staff have brought the Lincoln-Way East Girls team to the weekend that they train for. The Griffins appear ready to go after their third straight 3A team championship as they qualified seventeen last week at the Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional. There are teams that would like to prevent that. Barrington, Homewood-Flossmoor, and Palatine are among the teams that have state championship visions.
The individual finals should be great. Warren’s Brittny Ellis ends her storied career trying to win the 100, 200, and 400 Meter Dashes. She has won the 400 twice at Charleston with seven overall all-state medals. She could pick up four of them this weekend hoping all of them will be gold.
Here is a look at each of the individual events that will be contested this weekend. A look at some of the top teams vying for a state trophy follows that.
4 x 800 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 8:59.03 – Wheaton-Warrenville South - 2012 IHSA 3A State Meet Record - 8:59.03 – Wheaton-Warrenville South - 2012 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 9:11.96 - Palatine 2015 3A Sectional Best - 9:11.96 - Palatine 2015 Seasonal Best – 9:11.96 - Palatine
Outlook – Last week’s race at the Fremd Sectional was a prelude of what we could see on Saturday. Palatine ran the fastest time in the state 9:11.96 to hold off cross town rival Fremd for the race win. The two teams will go at it again. Palatine is one of the great traditions in this race. They always finish in the top four. This year, they want the win. Kelly O’Brien, who has a 2:12 personal best, is the sparkplug of this quartet. Fremd returns all of their runners from last year’s eight place team led by Ayako Higuchi. They will battle Palatine again.
Naperville North has stayed in the shadows most of the season until last week when they ran 9:20.00 to win at their home sectional. They have a balanced squad led by Jenny Gibson and Elly DeTurris. The Huskies will be able to run in the front Saturday. Downers Grove North lost to Palatine by one hundredth of a second at their own invitational in April. They will be in the mix up front led by Emma Moravec. St. Charles East, led by Torree Scull, are the defending champions and could be up front once again. Also keep an eye on Barrington, Lincoln-Way East, Lockport, Lake Forest and Loyola Academy who could also be chasing for a top spot.
This could be one of the fastest 3200 Relay races in state history depth wise. The eight place time last year was 9:21.1. I think it will be faster this season. It should take 9:03 – 9:05 to win this state championship.
4 x 100 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 46.04 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East - 2014 IHSA 3A State Meet Record - 46.04 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East - 2014 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 47.31 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 2015 3A Sectional Best - 47.31 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 2015 Seasonal Best – 47.31 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East
Outlook – It took a burst in the final 50 meters by Asia Brown to give Lincoln-Way East a come from behind eleven hundredths of a second win ahead of Homewood-Flossmoor. It could be close again this weekend. Lincoln-Way East will have a different lineup putting in Ololade Ayoola who rested last week. Homewood-Flossmoor will have a tough squad led by Antoinette Broughton and Jayla Stewart.
Bloomington has been a surprise team this season. They showed how good they are by running 47.47 to win last week at O’Fallon. Oak Park-River Forest put together their best four to edge Westinghouse by six hundredths of a second last week. Both teams are ranked in the top six in 3A and will be towards the front this weekend. O’Fallon went under 48 seconds for the first time this year (47.96) in placing second in their own sectional. They are a team to also watch. Bolingbrook, led by Jessica Watkins, Batavia, Barrington, and Springfield are among some of the teams in this tough field that could challenge in the Saturday finals. Lincoln-Way East set the state record last year. Could they get close to it Saturday or will it be another squad taking the top spot?
3200 Meter Run
IHSA State Meet Record – 9:56.96 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock - 2011 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 10:17.28 – Maria Cicero – Elmhurst York - 2001 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 10:34.55 – Judy Pendergast (SR) – Naperville North 2015 3A Sectional Best - 10:34.55 – Judy Pendergast (SR) – Naperville North 2015 Seasonal Best – 10:34.55 – Judy Pendergast (SR) – Naperville North
Outlook – The scenario in this event completely changed last Wednesday when Glenbard West Coach Kelly Hass announced that 3A State Cross Country champion Lindsey Graham had to withdraw from the sectional race due to a growth plate injury in her foot. Graham, who ran a national best 10:22 indoors, would have been the big favorite. With her not in the field, this race is up for grabs.
We might have seen a little of the state final last week at the Naperville North Sectional when Judy Pendergast pulled away from Rachael Lau (Plainfield North HS) to win by six seconds. You can expect both runners to push the pace again on Saturday. On the seasonal leaderboard, the next seven runners are separated only by six seconds. That tells us that anything could happen in this race. Mimi Smith (New Trier HS, Winnetka) has run 10:47 this season, but has that big meet experience having finished third in this event last year. She will be towards the front. Gabby Juarez (Streamwood HS) who had one of the top sectional times (10:48) will not run in this event concentrating for the 1600. Abby Kargol (Downers Grove South HS), who finished fifth last year, ran 10:45 at Arcadia in April. You can expect a great race from her this weekend.
Brooke Wilson (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect) has run 10:47 this year and will be a threat up front. Sarah Schmitt (Naperville North HS), Jocelyn Long (Barrington HS), Grace McCabe (Hinsdale Central HS), and Emma Stephens (Batavia HS) are four talented freshmen that have all run under eleven minutes this season. You could see them in the top nine in this race. Ashley Tutt (Minooka HS) and Lauren Opatrny (McHenry HS) will also be towards the front. It should take 10:25-10:30 to win this race. If the conditions are good, we could see 11-12 runners under eleven minutes.
100 Meter Hurdles
IHSA State Meet Record – 13.54 – Dawn Harper – East St. Louis-Senior - 2001 IHSA 3A State Meet Record - 13.54 – Dawn Harper – East St. Louis-Senior - 2001 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 13.66 – Jayla Stewart (SR) – Homewood-Flossmoor 2015 3A Sectional Best - 13.66 – Jayla Stewart (SR) – Homewood-Flossmoor 2015 Seasonal Best – 13.66 – Jayla Stewart (SR) – Homewood-Flossmoor
Outlook – Jayla Stewart’s jubilation showed after she found out she ran a 13.66 personal best in the prelims of the 100 Hurdles at last week’s sectional meet. You can expect that jubilation to show a little more this weekend. With expected challenger Maya Neal out with a knee injury, Stewart is the overwhelming favorite in this event. She has the fastest time in 3A by close to a second. Even though the 13.66 was wind aided last week, you should see her run in the 13’s in the finals.
Grace Cronin (Fenwick HS, Oak Park) finished second in the 2A state finals last year. She has the second fastest time in 3A and could be the biggest competition to Stewart. Remy Amarteifio (Evanston Township HS), Princess Shodipo (Oswego East HS), and Macy Tramblay (Huntley HS) all won their sectional races and will be pushing Cronin. Alexis Pierre-Antoine (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort) is just coming back from a stress fracture that forced her out until her conference meet. She could be a surprise in this event. Tineja Foy (Crete-Monee HS), Maya Mason (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect), and Eva Burk (Cary-Grove HS) could push for top five finishes.
100 Meter Dash
IHSA State Meet Record – 11.41 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park – 2004 Morolake Akinosun – Aurora Waubonsie Valley - 2012 IHSA 3A State Meet Record - 11.41 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park – 2004 Morolake Akinosun – Aurora Waubonsie Valley - 2012 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 11.86 – Asia Brown (JR) – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 2015 3A Sectional Best – 11.86 - Asia Brown (JR) – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 2015 Seasonal Best – 11.78 – Dominique Lewis (SR) – Champaign Centennial
Outlook – The four fastest sprinters came from the Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional led by Asia Brown’s quick 11.86 win. A nice tailwind helped seven runners qualified for state in that race. Nevertheless, this should be a close final separated by only hundredths of a second. Brown’s 11.86 showed that she is prime to win a state championship. Lincoln-Way East peaks at this time every year. She should be towards the front. This will be the first race in Brittny Ellis’ (Warren Township HS, Gurnee) attempt at a sprint triple. Her 12.16 last week demonstrates she could win this race. Briana Driver (Mother McAuley HS, Chicago) finished second to Brown in the sectional race and will be challenging for the win. Jessica Watkins (Bolingbrook HS) edged Natajah Simmons (Oswego HS) by two hundredths of a second at Wheaton at the beginning of the month. Watkins ran 12.11 in that race. Both athletes could win this state race.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jayla Stewart and Antoinette Broughton both made it to state running 12.14 & 12.15. Stewart will have a short rest period between her hurdles race. It will be see what she has left if she makes the 100 finals. Yakira Love (Westinghouse HS, Chicago) ran 12.54 to win her sectional race. The week before she ran 12.02 to win the Chicago City Championship. She could be a surprise in this race.
This will be close to say the least. EIU better have their cameras ready for this one. It might take a little time investigating the photo immediately after the race.
800 Meter Run
IHSA State Meet Record – 2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton – Rockton Hononegah - 2013 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton – Rockton Hononegah - 2013 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 2:11.27 – Michaela Hackbarth (SR) – Downers Grove South 2015 3A Sectional Best – 2:11.27 – Michaela Hackbarth (SR) – Downers Grove South 2015 Seasonal Best – 2:11.27 – Michaela Hackbarth (SR) – Downers Grove South
Outlook – Will 2014 3A champion Lauren Van Vlierbergen (Jacobs HS, Algonquin) be in this race to defend her title? The future University of Michigan student / athlete qualified in both the 800 and the 1600 at last week’s Hononegah Sectional. She ran the fourth fastest 3A time (2:13.29) in that win. After her win at Illinois Top Times Championships, she hinted in an interview that she would focus her efforts in the 1600.
This could be an interesting field if LVV is not involved. You can also take out 3A #2 Kelly O’Brien out of this race as she will focus on the 3200 Relay and the 600. Take out Cary Grove’s Morgan Schulz who could not run in her conference and sectional meets due to a stress fracture. She was ranked sixth in this event in 3A.
Michaela Hackbarth has the fastest time in the state after her win in the Downers Grove North Sectional. Emma Moravec (Downers Grove North) and Renee Letz (Sandburg HS, Orland Park) were a second and two seconds behind respectively. Moravec will be coming back from the 3200 Relay. Letz should be fresh. Jocelyne Mendoza (Taft HS, Chicago) ran a personal best 2:15 in winning her sectional. She could be a threat for the first three places. Skyler Bollinger (Yorkville HS) could challenge for the win in this race. She will be running it fresh. Emily Noone (Glenbrook South HS, Glenview), Aly Goff (Springfield HS), Mackenzie Callahan (Minooka HS) and Danielle Griesbaum (Lakes HS, Lake Villa) could all find themselves finishing in the first five.
If Van Vlierbergen is in the race, it will a great battle between her and Hackbarth. If not, Hackbarth seems to be peaking at the right time. It would not surprise me to see her run a time under 2:10.
4 x 200 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 1:36.86 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East - 2013 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 1:36.86 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East - 2013 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 1:40.44 – Oak Park-River Forest 2015 3A Sectional Best – 1:40.44 – Oak Park-River Forest 2015 Seasonal Best – 1:40.44 – Oak Park-River Forest
Outlook – Oak Park-River Forest, led by Norma Abdur-Rafia, ran a two second seasonal best in winning their sectional race. They have the potential of going under 1:40 in the final. Lincoln-Way East also ran a time under 1:41 in running 1:40.79 to win the Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional. Led by Asia Brown and the addition of Ololade Ayoola could make the Griffins the slight favorite in this race. Jezel Martin led her Bloomington team to over a second win in front of O’Fallon. Don’t discount Bloomington in this event. O’Fallon could also be a threat towards the front.
Mother McAuley finished second to Lincoln-Way East and will be a force in this event. Barrington and a surprising York team will also make their presence known in this event. Also keep an eye on Palatine, Rock Island, Hinsdale Central, and Batavia to challenge in this race. We could see a time in the low 1:38’s winning.
400 Meter Dash
IHSA State Meet Record – 52.63 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 52.63 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 2015 3A Seasonal Best - 54.80 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township 2015 3A Sectional Best – 54.87 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township 2015 Seasonal Best – 54.80 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township
Outlook – Brittny Ellis is the favorite in this race. She won the state championship her freshmen and sophomore years before finishing third last year. She is the only athlete in the state to run under 55 seconds. It won’t be a surprise if she runs under 54 seconds in the finals. Ashleigh Wilson (Minooka HS) ran 56.02 to win her conference meet two weeks ago and could be Ellis’ chief competition. Kierra Griggs (Bloom Township, Chicago Heights) ran a season’s best 56.51 last week in winning her sectional race. She will be in the top five at least on Saturday.
Other athletes that I would keep an eye on include Charlyncia Stennis (Bolingbrook HS), Hannah Cohn (St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago), Samara Miller (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville), Tamia Rayford (West Aurora HS), Ni’jia McNamee (Belleville West HS), and Foster Ignoffo (Geneva HS).
300 Meter Hurdles
IHSA State Meet Record – 40.61 – Shalina Clarke – Evanston Township - 2005 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 40.61 – Shalina Clarke – Evanston Township - 2005 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 43.21 – Miyah Dorsey (SR) – Belleville East 2015 3A Sectional Best – 43.21 – Miyah Dorsey (SR) – Belleville East 2015 Seasonal Best – 43.09 – Jenny Kimbro (JR) – Sidell Jamaica (COOP)
Outlook – Grace Cronin (Fenwick HS, Oak Park) missed winning the 2A title in this event by less than a tenth of a second. She could experience the same close race in 3A this year as the top three athletes in this event are within a half second of each other. Miyah Dorsey ran the fastest 3A time last week in winning the O’Fallon Sectional. Lajarvia Brown (Alton HS) finished a second behind Dorsey last week but ran 43.78 in her conference race. Brown will be towards the front once gain in this meet.
Addison Coy (Barrington HS) ran a season’s best 44.17 last week. The big sophomore could score some big points for her team in this event. Tineya Foy (Crete-Monee HS) ran 44.47 at her sectional and could be within the first five. Other athletes to keep an eye on include Alexis Pierre-Antoine (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort), Courtney Manning (Normal Community HS), Savannah Long (DeKalb HS), and Tara Schumacher (Oswego East HS).
1600 Meter Run
IHSA State Meet Record – 4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock - 2011 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 4:49.34 – Shelly McBride – Crete Monee HS - 1985 2015 3A Seasonal Best - 4:57.00 – Kelly O’Brien (JR) - Palatine 2015 3A Sectional Best - 4:57.54 – Kelly O’Brien (JR) - Palatine 2015 Seasonal Best – 4:54.00 – Kelly O’Brien (JR) - Palatine
Outlook – Last year’s final was extremely tactical with the first eleven runners only separated by three seconds. Defending champion Annie Zaher (Hinsdale Central HS) suffered a stress fracture and has missed the entire outdoor season. The second through fifth place finishers are back with the possibilities of making this finals race a memorable one.
If Lauren Van Vlierbergen does decide to just concentrate on running the 1600, I would guarantee should let the pace lag similar to what happened last year. At the same time, Kelly O’Brien has been pushing the pace from the gun running away from her competition early in the race. Gabby Juarez (Streamwood HS) is one runner to keep a close eye on. At the Illinois Top Times Championships in March, Juarez was edged by Van Vlierbergen at the line for the win. She could make the dynamics of this race fantastic with three runners pushing each other to the edge. We could see a winning time under 4:50.
The field will be a tough one. Torree Scull (St. Charles East HS) finished fourth in this event last year and will be coming back from the 3200 Relay. She could be in the mix up front. Clare Hamilton (Naperville North HS) ran 5:00.01 in winning her conference meet. She will also be coming back from the relay and could also be a challenger up front. Meagan Biddle (Hoffman Estates HS) ran 4:59 at the beginning of the month. I would not count her out in this race as well. Other runners to keep an eye on include Charlotte Nawor (Highland Park HS), Kathryn House (Loyola Academy, Wilmette), Ayaiko Higuchi (Fremd HS, Palatine), and Audrey Ernst (St. Charles North HS).
200 Meter Dash
IHSA State Meet Record – 23.32 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 23.32 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 24.46 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township 2015 3A Sectional Best – 24.46 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township 2015 Seasonal Best – 24.46 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township
Outlook – Brittny Ellis has the fastest time this year in the state and should be the favorite in this event. She will have company up front. Jayla Stewart (Homewood-Flossmoor HS) ran 24.58 (only 12 hundredths behind Ellis) to win her sectional race. The two could push each other if they make it to Saturday. Jezel Martin (Bloomington HS) has had a good season running 24.60 at her conference meet. She could be in the hunt for the championship.
Other athletes that I would keep an eye on in this event includes Asia Brown (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort), Norma Abdur-Rafia (Oak Park-River Forest HS), Natajah Simmons (Oswego HS), Nina Hodges (Barrington HS), D’Jenne Egharevba (Naperville Central HS), and Ashleigh Wilson (Minooka HS).
4 x 400 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 3:45.14 – East St. Louis-Lincoln - 1984 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 3:45.14 – East St. Louis-Lincoln - 1984 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 3:52.19 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 2015 3A Sectional Best – 3:54.06 – St. Charles East 2015 Seasonal Best – 3:52.19 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East
Outlook – The 3A state team championship should come down to this final event. St. Charles East has the fastest sectional time (3:54.06) followed closely behind by Barrington. St. Charles East’s time was a seasonal best. Barrington’s time was one second slower than the 3:54.58 they ran at the Palatine Relays. Lincoln-Way East could be the team to watch. They ran two of their regular runners in the sectional race and came up with a 3:56.37 sectional win. Their seasonal best is 3:52.19. The final could be a fast one with a time under 3:50 winning it all.
Bloom Township came close to Lincoln-Way East last week running 3:56.48. They will be in the hunt up front. Other teams that I would watch include O’Fallon, Oak Park River Forest, Downers Grove South, and Belleville East.
Field Events
Long Jump
IHSA State Meet Record – 20-9 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 20-9 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 20-1 ½ - Briana Driver (SR) – Chicago Mother McAuley 2015 3A Sectional Best – 19-4 ¾ - Briana Driver (SR) – Chicago Mother McAuley 2015 Seasonal Best – 20-1 ½ - Briana Driver (SR) – Chicago Mother McAuley
Outlook – Briana Driver has been the hot female jumper in the state this season. She jumped 19-4 ¾ last week at Homewood-Flossmoor. All of her jumps were over 19 feet. Her best jump is a foot ahead of the competition. If she jumps in the 19’s, I don’t think anyone can catch her. Ashley Raeshler (Lincoln-Way Central HS, New Lenox) jumped 19-1 ½ at her conference meet but only jumped 17-8 ½ last week. If she can repeat her conference performance, she could finish in the first three. Sade Anife (Oswego East HS) had a big meet at sectionals jumping 18-9 ¼. She could be among the top three jumpers this weekend.
Other athletes to watch include LaJarvia Brown (Alton HS) who jumped 19-0 earlier in the year, Janae Cox (Bradley-Bourbonais HS), Emelia Burris (Fenton HS, Bensenville), Cheyenne White (Waukegan HS), and Allison Wahrman (Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream).
Triple Jump
IHSA State Meet Record – 41-5 – Deana Simmons – Decatur MacArthur - 1996 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 41-5 – Deana Simmons – Decatur MacArthur - 1996 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 41-6 ¼ - LaJarvia Brown (JR) - Alton 2015 3A Sectional Best – 38-10 ½ - LaJarvia Brown (JR) - Alton 2015 Seasonal Best – 41-6 ¼ - LaJarvia Brown (JR) - Alton
Outlook – We could see an overall IHSA State Meet Record in this event. LaJarvia Brown jumped 41-6 ¼ at the Tiger Relays in the middle of April. She has jumped over 40 feet five times this outdoor season. Only Allison Wahrman (Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream) has been over 40 feet outdoors. Cierra Pulliam (Romeoville HS) jumped 40-2 to win indoors at the Illinois Top Times Championships. 39-1 ¾ is her outdoor best. She could be a threat in this meet.
Athletes that I would keep an eye on in this event include Hannah Schilb (St. Charles North HS), Cheyenne White (Waukegan HS), Allison Chmelik (St. Charles East HS), and Emma Haugen (Lyons Township HS, LaGrange).
High Jump
IHSA State Meet Record – 5-11 – Melinda Morris – Buffalo Tri-City - 1980 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 5-10 ¾ - Nicole Williams – Sterling - 2003 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 5-9 – Emma Haugen (SR) – LaGrange Lyons Township 2015 3A Sectional Best – 5-5 – Eight athletes at 5-5 2015 Seasonal Best – 5-9 – Emma Haugen (SR) – LaGrange Lyons Township
Outlook – If you look at the sectional qualifiers, eight athletes all jumped a leading 5-5. The one athlete that has the highest clearance is 2 time defending state champion Emma Haugen. She cleared 5-9 at the Argo Invitational on 4/18. Jes Skudlarek (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect) cleared 5-8 the night before at the Ritter Invitational defeating Haugen. Skudlarek also cleared 5-7 to win the Illinois Top Times Championship at the end of March. These two should be dueling for the state championship.
Rachel Augius (Yorkville HS) and Ololade Ayoola (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort) cleared 5-5 last week and could challenge for the state championship. Other athletes that I would keep an eye on include Jelena Rowe (Bloom Township HS, Chicago Heights), Alexandria Enright (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS), Kristin Higgins (Geneva HS), and Katie Mans (Alton HS).
Pole Vault
IHSA State Meet Record – 13-4 – Lindsey Murray – Harrisburg HS - 2014 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 13-3 – Sarah Landau – Geneva - 2004 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 12-9 – Brooke Catherine (SR) – Normal Community 2015 3A Sectional Best – 12-0 – Brooke Catherine (SR) – Normal Community 2015 Seasonal Best – 13-0 – Morgan Zacharias (SR) – Braidwood Reed Custer
Outlook – Brooke Catherine cleared 13 feet or better indoors four times this indoor season. Her best performance outdoors was a 12-9 almost a month ago at the Bloomington / Normal Inter City Classic. She is still the athlete to beat in this meet. Julia Junkroski (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort) cleared 12-8 in April and could be the biggest obstacle to Catherine repeating as the state champion. Katie Schroeder (Grayslake Central HS) has cleared 12-0 outdoors, 12-3 indoors and could battle for a top three finish. Other athletes to watch in this event this weekend include Ali Munson (Benet Academy HS, Lisle), Abby Waltz (York HS, Elmhurst), Cassidy Selep (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect), Danielle Wojciehowski (Lake Park HS, Roselle), Savannah Howie (McHenry HS), and Delaney Lyman (Huntley HS).
Shot Put
IHSA State Meet Record – 50-9 ½ - Emmonnie Henderson – Edwardsville - 2013 IHSA 3A State Meet Record - – 50-9 ½ - Emmonnie Henderson – Edwardsville - 2013 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 45-8 – Aaliah Herron (SR) – East St. Louis-Senior 2015 3A Sectional Best – 42-0 ¼ – Aaliah Herron (SR) – East St. Louis-Senior 2015 Seasonal Best – 50-10 – Kathleen Young (SO) – Warrensburg-Latham
Outlook – Aaliah Herron has been the most consistent 3A athlete in this event this spring with seven meets over 42 feet. She could be tough to beat this weekend. Defending state champion Courtney Morgan (Metea Valley HS, Aurora) has been down this year with only a 42-7 best performance which occurred at her conference meet. She improved two feet last year from sectional meet to state. She will need that kind of effort to repeat as state champion.
Olivia Griswold (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville) had a 44-5 put to win her conference meet. She could be a threat to Herron. Fiona Kanam (Niles North HS, Skokie) has a 43-7 best this spring. She could also challenge for the state championship. Other athletes to watch include Lane Kadlec (Lockport Township HS), Michaela Smith (Lake Park HS, Roselle), Alanah Greenberg (Wheeling HS), and Catherine Jakich (Granite City HS).
Discus
IHSA State Meet Record – 167-4 – Kelsey Card – Carlinville - 2010 IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 161-11 – Emmonnie Henderson - 2011 2015 3A Seasonal Best – 152-0 – Holly Julifs (SR) – Aurora Metea Valley 2015 3A Sectional Best – 140-5 – Michaela Smith (JR) – Roselle Lake Park 2015 Seasonal Best – 159-8 – Kathleen Young (SO) – Warrensburg-Latham
Outlook – This event is hard to figure out. There is no clear favorite that stands out. Holly Julifs threw 152-0 at her own invitational in April, but has not thrown past 144-0 since that meet. Michaela Smith is moving up the ladder consistently getting better. Her best of 145-7 came at her conference meet two weeks ago. Nikki Freeman (Cary-Grove HS) threw 133-10 in April. Courtney Morgan threw 131-8 last week. Keely Knobbe (Warren Township HS, Gurnee), Jada Jackson (Shepard HS, Palos Heights), Rachel Wilson (Homewood-Flossmoor HS), and Ugochi Ihemeson (Hinsdale Central HS) are other athletes to watch. Any of the above mentioned could win the state title.
Top Teams to Watch
Barrington State Qualifiers – 13 Total: 9 Individuals, 4 Relays
Outlook – Barrington has the athletes to win a state championship. All four of their relays qualified and could make the finals. The 1600 & 800 Relays are the best bets to finish in the top three. Jocelyn Long qualified in both the 3200 and 1600. She could place among the top four in the 3200. It would be a bonus if she qualified for the finals of the 1600. Nina Hodges will help the relays and could score points in either the 100 or 200. Addison Coy could pick up big points for her team in the 300 Hurdles. She will be a part of her team’s 1600 relay as well. Kelsey McLaurin will also be part of the relays. She could also score in the Triple Jump. Jada Jones could pick up some needed points in the Long Jump. Sara-Kate Capel could also get points for her team in the 300 Hurdles.
Frankfort Lincoln-Way East State Qualifiers – 17 Total: 13 Individuals, 4 Relays
Outlook – The two time defending champions put themselves in good position to get their third straight championship after qualifying 17 in last week’s sectional meet. Asia Brown will be one of the favorites in both the 100 and 200. She will also be a part of the 400 and 800 Relays that are among the top ranked in the state. Ololade Ayoola just qualified in the High Jump last week and could place in the top three this weekend. She will bolster three of the relays. If she runs in the 1600 Relay, this team could be the favorite. Julia Junkroski could place among the top three in the Pole Vault. She could also score points in the High Jump. Alexis Pierre-Antoine has been injured most of the outdoor season but has come back strong qualifying in both hurdle races. She could score in both events. Alyssa Vogt could pick up bonus points in the 800. She will be a big part of a 3200 Relay that could qualify for the Saturday finals.
Gurnee Warren Township State Qualifiers – 7 Total: 5 Individuals, 2 Relays
Outlook – This team will be in contention for a trophy depending on how Brittny Ellis runs. She is the favorite in the 200 and 400. She could also win the 100. She will also be a part of the 400 Meter Relay that could pick up some points. Keely Knobbe won the Discus at her sectional meet. She could pick up points in that event.
Homewood-Flossmoor State Qualifiers – 9 Total: 7 Individuals, 2 Relays
Outlook – The Vikings could leave Charleston with a trophy. They have little room for errors if they want to accomplish that. Jayla Stewart will be the big favorite in the 100 Hurdles and one of the favorites in the 200. She will pick up big points in both events. She will have short rest in the 100 after running the hurdles. Along with Antoinette Broughton, they could pick up double digit points in that event. Stewart and Broughton will be a part of a 400 Relay that could also roll up points. Their 800 Relay could finish in the top six. It would be a bonus if Rachel Wilson can get points in both the Shot Put and Discus.
Naperville North State Qualifiers – 10 Total: 8 Individuals, 2 Relays
Outlook – The Huskies could end up in the top three scoring in four distance events. Their 3200 Meter Relay currently has the third fastest time in the state. They could win the event. Judy Pendergast has the fastest 3200 time and will be the favorite in that race. Sarah Schmitt also qualified and could place in the top five. Ella Guppy and Natalie Dunnett qualified in the 800. They could give the team bonus points. Clare Hamilton and Elly DeTurris qualified in the 1600. Both could score and give the Huskies double points in that event.
Oak Park-River Forest State Qualifiers – 10 Total: 7 Individuals, 3 Relays
Outlook – The Huskies followed up their conference win by qualifying ten for this weekend’ state meet. Their three qualifying relays could pick up some big points. The 800 Meter Relay has the top time in 3A. Their 400 and 1600 Relays could also score in the top five. Norma Abdur-Rafia, who will play a big part in those three relays, could finish in the top 5 in the 200. Chenna Underhill could surprise some by scoring in the Pole Vault.
O’Fallon State Qualifiers – 13 Total: 9 Individuals, 4 Relays
Outlook – O’Fallon’s three sprint relays could be a big reason why this team could contend for a trophy. Their 400 and 800 Relays are ranked in the top five in 3A and could pick up some big points in the finals. The 1600 Relay ran 3:59 last week. If their time drops two seconds they could be running on Saturday. Tami Cardenas could score points for her team in the 800. Mya Watson-Blake qualified in the 200 and the High Jump. She could get all-state honors in the High Jump.
Palatine State Qualifiers – 9 Total: 5 Individuals, 4 Relays
Outlook – The Lady Pirates only have nine qualifiers, but could finish in the top three when the meet ends Saturday afternoon. Kelly O’Brien will be one of the favorites in the 1600. She will anchor the 3200 Relay that has the fastest time in the state. The 400 Relay has an outside chance to make the finals. The 800 Relay could score points as well as the 1600 Relay. Caitlin Riedy could give her team bonus points in the 300 Hurdles. Sam Lechowicz has the potential to make the finals in the 1600. She could give the team bonus points in that event.
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