Ward goes for four in his final time at ITT; How high will Sullivan go?

 

By Michael Newman

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Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) has been a presence in the Illinois High School Track & Field community the past three years mainly concentrating on the horizontal jumps and the relays for his school. His senior year he decided to try something different. Yes, he will still be jumping. No, the relays for this meet at least are out of the question. His focus in his other two events has changed to the individual meets. He has showed what he can do this season by running the fastest time in the state at 60 Meters (6.85) and has gone undefeated at 200 Meters this indoor season. On Saturday, he will attempt to win all four of those events.

Darryl Sullivan (Marion HS) jumped on the national scene in a big way clearing 7-3 for a national best in the High Jump. He has cleared 7 feet or better three straight meets. He would like to make it four against a good field.

The Girls meet will feature two great athletes form the Chicago Public League. Gabrielle DesRosiers (North Lawndale Prep, Chicago) has been one of the top sprinters in the state. She will look to win three sprint races (60, 200, 400) and to help her team win the 800 Meter Relay. Imani Carothers (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) has been one of the top athletes in the Long Jump and the Hurdles this indoor season in the state. She currently has the top time in the 60 Meter Hurdles. She should be the favorite in the Long Jump and the Hurdles. She will also look for wins in the 60 Meter Dash as well as helping her team in the 800 Meter Relay.

Here is a look at each of the events that will take place in the 2A meet. The field events start the day at 9:05 AM. The first race on the track will commence at 10:15 AM.

 

Field Events

9:05

Girls Long Jump

2A Meet Record – 18-6 ½ - Brittni Griesbaum – Lake Villa Lakes – 2013

Outlook – We could see the 2A meet record fall in this event. Imani Carothers (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) has gone past that record twice in March jumping 18-11 ½ at Proviso West on March 5 and then 18-10 on the same Proviso West runway last Sunday. The runway at the Shirk Center is fast and could give her an over 19 jump if she can control her speed coming to the board. 

Gillian Urycki (Metamora HS) jumped 18-0 at a meet at the Shirk Center last week. She could be the chief competition for Carrothers. Charde Golliday (Mt. Vernon HS), Aanise Sajna (Dunlap HS), and Aklah Spinks (Rantoul HS) appear to be the top athletes in this event that could challenge for a top three finish.

 

Boys Long Jump

2A Meet Record – 23-5 ¾ - Ja’Mari Ward – Cahokia – 2015

Outlook – Ja’Mari Ward had an off day last week but still jumped 22-8 to win at Charleston by more than a foot. Expect to see a more “Wardsian: performance in this meet. His best meet of the year is when he jumped over 24 feet three times at Troy Triad in February. If he hits a jump like he “missed” last Saturday, the Shirk Center could be up for grabs.

Darryl Sullivan (Marion HS) will be shuttling between this event and the High Jump. He did jump 23-10 at SIU the same day he cleared 7-3 in the High Jump. He could apply the most pressure to Ward if the Cahokia senior is a little “off”. The next athletes are more than a foot behind Ward and Sullivan. Luther Newburn (Hillcrest HS, Country Club Hills), Xavier Taylor (Morgan Park HS, Chicago) and Anthony McRoberts (Cahokia HS) are some of the other athletes that will challenge for the next spots.

 

Girls Shot Put

2A Meet Record – 47-4 – Lena Giger – Highland – 2014

Outlook – With defending champion Cassidy Osborne-Butler not competing indoors, this event will still be good but wide open. Latavia Maines (Centralia HS) has the best 2A mark in the event with a 42-6 win at the U of I last Saturday. Her sister Nikita had a 40-3 put at SIU at the beginning of March and could challenge for a top three finish. Allison Richter (Triad HS, Troy) has gone 42-2 ½ in February and could challenge Latavia Maines for the win. Tayler Weaver (Mattoon HS) had a 42-1 put at the U of I last Saturday. Watch for her to go after the top spot. Aveun Moore (Mt. Vernon HS) could be the surprise in the Shot on Saturday.

 

Boys High Jump

2A Meet Record – 6-10 – Alex King – Metropolis Massac County – 2013

Outlook – This event should garner most of the attention of this meet before the running events start. It is a good bet that the 2A meet record and the overall meet record fall in this event. Darryl Sullivan (Marion HS) has the best clearance in the nation (7-3) and should be the favorite in the event. He has cleared 7-0 or better in his last three meets. He has found his comfort zone at those heights making the possibility of something special happening at this meet a big possibility. Anthony McRoberts (Cahokia HS) will be his chief competition. He has cleared 6-10 three times this year but can’t get over that magical 7 foot barrier. This could be the week for that to happen.

This event is loaded with five athletes clearing 6-6 or better, Noah Agnew (Vernon Hills HS) has cleared 6-8 twice the last being at the Lake Michigan Invitational last Saturday. He could make it to the next level with Sullivan and McRoberts. Will Daniels (Geneseo HS) and Brandon Boyer (Rock Falls HS) have cleared 6-6 this season and could find their way into the top three.

 

Girls Pole Vault

2A Meet Record – 13-3 – Sarah Bell – Bloomington Central Catholic – 2013

Outlook – Kassadee Ifft (Prairie Central HS, Fairbury) was nearly perfect in clearing 12-6 to win the Windy City Summit at the beginning of March. She has cleared 12-6 two more times since then. We could see a 13-0 or better vault in this meet from Ifft. Aliyah Welter (Monticello HS) has progressed nicely in the last month clearing 12-0 at the Windy City Summit at the beginning of the month and then 12-3 at Charleston that following week. She should be the one athlete to watch that should challenge Ifft.

Betsy Lovett (Clinton HS) has cleared 12-0 this year and could push for a top spot. Also watch for Cora Uidl (Woodstock HS), Josephine Held (Mt. Zion HS), and Nicole Bagwelll (Tolono Unity HS) to also go after a top three finish.

 

11:00

Boys Triple Jump

2A Meet Record – 49-2 ¼ - Ja’Mari Ward – Cahokia – 2015

Outlook – It will be interesting to see where Ja’Mari Ward goes in this event. As the Triple Jump is going on, he will have to get ready for his 60 Meter Dash heat that will take place 30 minutes into the competition. He would love to get his own meet record. Watch for a big jump from him in either of his first two attempts.

Luther Newburn (Hillcrest HS, Country Club Hills) finished second to Ward last May at the IHSA 2A State Meet and has jumped 47-0 ½ in flats at a meet at Homewood-Flossmoor on March 8. It will be interesting to see how far Newburn goes this Saturday. Anthony McRoberts (Cahokia HS) has found his comfort zone in the upper 45 foot range with a seasonal best 45-11 at Edwardsville. Dionte Smith (Burlington Central HS) is the only other athlete over 45 feet and will challenge McRoberts and Newburn for a top three finish.

 

Girls Triple Jump

2A Meet Record – 39-9 – Jaimie Robinson – De La Salle Institute – 2013

Outlook – With defending champion Jaimie Robinson transferred to 3A Homewood-Flossmoor, the favorite role goes to Sierra Brown (Trinity HS, River Forest). She jumped 39-4 ½ in the middle of February as well as jumping over 38 feet in two other meets. There is no other athlete that is within more than two feet of her. If Brown does falter, watch for Jayla Campbell (Rich Central HS, Olympia), Charde Golliday (Mt. Vernon HS), or Alex Shaub (Dunlap HS) to step up for a chance for the gold medal.

 

Boys Pole Vault

2A Meet Record – 16-7 – Logan Pflibsen – Streator Township – 2010

Outlook – The hottest vaulter in 2A this indoor season has been Arthur Atwell (Geneseo HS) having cleared 15-0 or higher twice this year. He cleared 15-3 in Rock Island at the end of February. He followed that up with a 15-1 clearance last week at Sterling. He is the favorite in this meet. The next closest athlete is more than a foot behind him. Mike Rinella (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) and Jared Trupp (Burlington Central HS) are the only other athletes that have cleared 13-6 or better among the entrants in this meet.

 

11:00 – Boys Shot Put

2A Meet Record – 59-6 – Kevin Farley – Springfield Lanphier – 2011

Outlook – I think we can expect the 2A meet record to go down in this meet. Sam Sikon (Carbondale HS) has gone past 60 feet four out of the five meets he has competed in this indoor season. His 61-6 at U of I last Saturday indicates he is ready to go past 62 feet. That could happen Saturday morning. His effort last Saturday was almost a foot farther than he had gone all season. We could see some big things in this meet.

Kane Carrigan (Harrisburg HS) had a 57-6 ½ put at the University of Arkansas in January. He has been over 56 feet twice since that point with his latest at Edwardsville (56-11 ¼) on March 11. He could go past 57 feet in this meet. Verdis Brown (Mt. Carmel HS, Chicago) is the only other athlete that has gone past 55 feet this season in 2A. The sophomore went 55-4 ½ at ICOPS at the end of February.  He could challenge for a top three finish along with McKinley Bell (Cahokia HS) and Nick Krawczyk (North Boone HS, Poplar Grove).

 

Girls High Jump

2A Meet Record – 5-6 – Ceterina Simmons – Belvidere North – 2011

                                      Gillian Urycki – Metamora – 2013

                                       Katie Trupp – Burlington Central – 2013

                                       Lunden Henry – Springfield Southeast – 2015

 

Outlook – Just like the 2A Boys High Jump competition that will happen before it, this event should provide just as many fireworks. Co-meet record holders Gillian Urycki and defending champion Lunden Henry are back to challenge for the win. Urycki has cleared 5-8 twice this year clearing that height last Saturday in this facility. Henry has cleared 5-4 this season, but is a big meet performer as evidenced by last year’s win. Defending IHSA 2A State Champion Jamari Drake (Springfield Southeast HS) shares the 2A list lead with Urycki clearing 5-8 at the Bloomington Invitational at this facility on March 5.

Michaela Busch (Rock Falls HS) has cleared 5-6 this season and could also challenge for the championship. Christina MacNab (Providence Catholic HS) cleared 5-5 last Saturday at the GCAC Championships. She is improving every meet which could result in a top finish this weekend. Sierra Brown (Trinity HS, River Forest) could also be a threat for a top three finish.

 

Track Events

10:15

Girls 3200 Meter Run

2A Meet Record – 10:15.06 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock – 2011

Outlook – This would have been Maryjeanne Gilbert’s race. After a fantastic run at New Balance Indoors two weeks ago, Gilbert is gearing up for outdoors and some big things in the next few months. Vivian Overbeck (Vernon Hills HS) enters the meet with the top seed time (11:16.06) that she achieved in winning the Lake Michigan Invitational in Wisconsin last Friday. Grace McLaughlin (Boylan Catholic HS, Rockford) ran 11:26.63 at the NIC-10 Conference Championships last week and is emerging as one of the top up and coming distance runners in 2A. She will be a factor in this race.

Lauren Whitehouse (Mahomet-Seymour HS) ran 11:32.37 this winter but that happened in a solo effort in Sterling the middle of February. She did run 5:12 last week on this track showing that she is in shape to run 11:20 or better. Lucy Kenig-Ziesler (Chicago University Lab School) and Aileen Hull (Carmel Catholic HS, Mundelein) are two from a pack of runners that could finish in the top three.

 

Boys 3200 Meter Run

2A Meet Record – 9:13.84 – Clay Elward – Peoria Notre Dame – 2010

Outlook – This could be a deceptively good race even though defending IHSA 2A State Champion Colin DeYoung will be focusing on the 3200 Meter Relay and the 1600 Meter Run. Alex Keeble (Mahomet-Seymour HS) showed that he is ready to take it to the next level after running 9:23 behind Jon Davis at Champaign at the beginning of the month. He is in condition to run under 9:20 in this meet. Evan Mitchell (Lincoln-Way West HS, New Lenox) ran 4:23 last week to win the SWSC Championships and has run 9:38 this season. He could push Keeble and himself to a fast time. Matt Stelmasek (Johnsburg HS) ran a fast double last week at the Lake Michigan Invitational including a 9:39 win in this event. He could be a threat in this race.

Jack Franklin (Normal University) showed that he belonged with the 2A elite last fall. The junior has run 9:41 and could be a factor up front. Luke Beattie (Woodstock HS) made his seasonal debut last week in Wisconsin running 9:42. Watch for a faster time from him in this race. Andrew Burroughs (Marmion Academy, Aurora) and Brayden Hamblen (Rock Falls) are also capable of running 9:35 or faster on Saturday.

 

Prelims 11:00 AM - Finals 12:20 PM

Girls 60 Meter Hurdles

2A Meet Record – 8.60 – Shamier Little – Lindblom Academy – 2013

Outlook – This will come down to a two runner race in the finals. Imani Carothers (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) has been on fire of late recording the fastest time in the state (8.92) in winning the CPS Section A race last Sunday at Proviso West. Grace Cronin (Fenwick HS, Oak Park) has run 9.00 at the beginning of March and ran 9.03 at her conference meet last Saturday. She finished in the 3A race at this meet last year and should challenge Carrothers for the win.

There is a gap of almost two tenths of a second between the top two and the rest of the competitors in the event. In this race, that seems like a light year. Also keep an eye on Kaitlyn Bright (De La Salle Institute, Chicago), Dontavia Howard (Springfield Southeast HS), and Olivia Sauceda (Aurora Central Catholic HS) to be some of the athletes to challenge for a finish in the top three.

 

Boys 60 Meter Hurdles

2A Meet Record – 8.16 – Marcus Greer – East St. Louis-Senior – 2013

Outlook – It is a possibility that the 2A Meet Record of Marcus Greer could fall in on Saturday with four athletes at 8.3 or faster. It should be a battle of Geneseo hurdlers in this race. Andrew Plischke and Reed Vanderheyden were separated by only six hundredths of a second last week (8.14-8.20) at their conference meet. The two could push each other past the meet record on Saturday.  Juwan Denton (Morgan Park HS, Chicago) has the top seed time converted from a race that he ran in Evanston on March 11. He ran 8.35 in the 55 Meter Hurdles in that race and a seasonal best of 8.61 for the 60 Meter Hurdles that he ran last week at the Gene Armer Invitational.

Gamar Hayles (Rich Central HS, Olympia Fields) has the fastest 2A time in the 55 Meter Hurdles this year (7.65) run at Proviso West in February. He is one of the athletes that could break a possible 1-2 Geneseo finish. Denzel Downing (St. Viator HS, Arlington Heights), Darrell Woods (Herrin HS), and Theo Phipps (St. Rita HS, Chicago) could find their way into the top three. A surprise in this race could be Tyler Marler (Harrisburg HS).

 

Prelims 11:20 AM - Finals 12:35 PM

Girls 60 Meter Dash

2A Meet Record – 7.45 – Ebony McClendon – Chicago Brooks College Prep – 2014

Outlook – Gabrielle DesRosiers (North Lawndale Charter HS, Chicago) will be the runner to watch in this event. She started at the beginning of the year running 8.00 but has progressed down to a 2A leading 7.68 that she ran at the U of I last Saturday. There is a pack of five runners more than a tenth of a second behind her that could challenge DesRosiers for the win.

Imani Carothers (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) will be coming back from the 60 Hurdles but could be a factor in this race. Wynda Warmack (Thornridge HS, Dolton), Shaneequa Hubert (Kankakee HS), Ke’niya Smith (Brooks College Prep, Chicago), and Makayla Pierce (Westinghouse Prep, Chicago) are some of the other runners to keep an eye on.

 

Boys 60 Meter Dash

2A Meet Record – 6.79 – Jonathan Boey – Decatur MacArthur – 2013

Outlook – It will come down to the start in this race to determine the winner. At the Edwardsville Invitational on March 11, Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) slipped coming out of the blocks giving Adam Nelson (Traid HS, Troy) the edge. Ward fought back but Nelson had the two hundredth of a second edge at the finish (6.91 – 6.93). When Ward gets out of the blocks well, no one can stop him. Evidence of that is the 6.85 IL #1 that he ran last week at Charleston. Nelson is a great sprinter but it might be tough to stay with Ward if the Cahokia senior gets a good start. Ward thinks that he can run under 6.8. That is his goal. If he can accomplish that, he will have the new meet record.

Three other runners under 7 seconds are in this field. Jayden Kaiser (Tolono Unity HS) ran 6.97 in the prelims at Charleston last week but got off to a bad start in the finals to run 6.99. He could be a factor in this event. Jaleen Jones (Urbana HS) and Ronald Reed (MacArthur HS, Decatur) both ran 6.99 at U of I last week. Both could find their way into the top three. One sprinter under the radar could be Franklin Hunt (Rich Central HS, Olympia Fields). He has the fastest 2A time in the 55 Meter Dash (6.54) run in February and ran 7.04 in January at Arkansas. He could be a surprise in this race.

 

11:40 AM

Girls 3200 Meter Relay

2A Meet Record – 9:42.52 – Yorkville – 2011

Outlook – This is a wide open race with the top four teams only separated by four seconds. Washington Community has the top seed time (9:54.77) with Hailey Tranchitella most likely their anchor runner. Rosary is a team that I would keep an eye on. Sophomore Brooke Delahanty has emerged as one of their top 800 runners. Along with Madison Ronzone, this could be the team to beat. Kaneland ran 9:57.30 at the Mustang Relays and could threaten the two above teams. Mahomet Seymour, Rochester, and Tolono Unity all have the talent to win this event championship as well.

 

Boys 3200 Meter Relay

2A Meet Record – 7:58.68 – Belvidere North – 2011

Outlook – Defending meet and IHSA 2A State Champion Cahokia heads this quality field. The Comanches, led by Chris Stanley and Tyran Lyons, have been in the low 8 minute all season with a best of 8:03.53 at Proviso West at the end of February. The one team that could push them is Illiana Christian. The Vikings ran a solo 8:12.69 at Olivet Nazarene at the end of February. Led by Nick Wondaal and Colin DeYoung, this is a team that could push Cahokia. You could possibly see both teams under 8 minutes in this race.

Lindblom Academy ran 8:14.16 at the Lake Michigan Invitational last Saturday and could be a threat in this race. Kaneland, St. Viator, and Metamora have the talent to push under 8:10 in this event.

 

12:55 PM

Girls 800 Meter Run

2A Meet Record – 2:13.05 – Karina Liz – Aurora Central Catholic – 2015

Outlook – 2A Meet Record holder and defending champion Karina Liz has been under the radar most of the indoor season, but still has run 2:16.90 this season. She’s had help. Her teammate Abby Fioresi is the top seed having run 2:16.80 this season. We could see some team tactics in this race with the two pushing each other to fast times and perhaps a new 2A meet record.

Delaney Appino (Boylan Catholic HS, Rockford) showed great closing speed during the cross country season. She ran 2:20.40 at her conference meet last week and could be the biggest challenge for the Aurora Central Catholic’s duo. Madeline Bruce (Marion HS), Kelly Mindak (Marian Catholic HS, Chicago Heights), and Rachel Hickey (LaSalle-Peru HS) could also find their way into the top three.

 

Boys 800 Meter Run

2A Meet Record – 1:56.45 – JD Lafayette – Normal University – 2014

Outlook – Could Josh Cable (Rochester HS) break the two year old 2A meet record by JD Lafayette on Saturday afternoon? The chances are pretty good. The sophomore bested a top notch field at the Jersey Indoor Winter Thaw on March 12 winning in 1:56.61. He has the fastest time in this field by four seconds. Cable may have to do all the work in order to get that record.

Chris Stanley (Cahokia HS) will be coming back from the 3200 Relay and could get under 2 minutes in this race. Gavin Hartley (Benton HS) and Tim Krashevsky (Vernon Hills HS) along with Danny Rosen (Northside Prep, Chicago) could also fight for one of the top three spots in this race.

 

1:10 PM

Girls 800 Meter Relay

2A Meet Record – 1:45.20 – Carbondale – 2013

Outlook – Chicago Public Schools have three of the top four times in this event and could take home the top spot in this event. Makayla Pierce led Westinghouse to a 1:46.25 win at Proviso West on March 12 and are the top seed in this event. Brooks College Prep is loaded with Imani Carothers and Whitney Ward leading the way along with North Lawndale Charter Prep with Gabrielle DesRosiers anchoring giving the CPL teams a possible 1-2-3 sweep.

Dunlap is the team to watch that could break up the sweep and possibly win. They ran 1:47.51 to win the Galesburg Last Chance Meet last Saturday led by Alex Shaub and Aanise Sajna. With how wild this event can be indoors especially with the handoffs, the second ranked Dunlap quartet could find their way across the line first. Kaneland, Mattoon, and Kankakee are other teams that I would watch for.

 

Boys 800 Meter Relay

2A Meet Record – 1:31.33 – Cahokia – 2013

Outlook – Cahokia has the fastest time by almost a second entering this meet (1:31.58) but that was done with Ja’Mari Ward in the lead off position. Ward is concentrating on individual events at this meet like he will be this May at the IHSA State Championships. The key for this team is the lead at the first exchange. If that happens, this team is unbeatable. Morgan Park and Geneseo have run under 1:33 this season and could be Cahokia’s chief competition. Troy Triad and Harrisburg running in Section 3 could set the standards high for the teams in the final section. It will take a time under 1:32.4 to win this race.

 

1:40 PM

Girls 400 Meter Dash

2A Meet Record – 57.10 – Shamier Little – Lindblom Academy – 2012

Outlook – It is possible to see Shamier Little’s 2A meet record fall in this event. Nicole Sreenan (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) is back after missing most of the last outdoor season due to injury. She has the top time in 2A with the 57.24 to win her conference meet last Saturday. Gabrielle DesRosiers recorded a 57.73 time on the 300 meter track at the University of Kentucky in February. She most likely will be coming back from the 800 Relay giving her less than 30 minutes to rest.

Whitney Ward (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) ran 57.75 on the same Kentucky track a month ago. Last Sunday at the Chicago Public League Championships, Ward ran 59.61. I feel she could also be towards the front. Karina Liz (Aurora Central Catholic HS) will be coming back from the 800 Meter Run but this double is old hat for her. She could also be in the mix. Liz Drab (St. Viator HS, Arlington Heights) could be the surprise in the race having run 58.02 at Huntley at the beginning of the month. Alexis Henry (Springfield Southeast HS) could also be a surprise.

 

Boys 400 Meter Dash

2A Meet Record – 49.25 – Mac Melto – Chicago Northside Prep – 2012

Outlook – Tayjione Nathan (Hillcrest HS, Country Club Hills) enters the meet with the fastest 2A time (49.67) run on Grand Valley State’s oversized 300 meter track in January. His best time since that point was the 50.49 that he ran at Champaign at the beginning of the month. Tyran Lyons (Cahokia HS) ran just under 50 seconds (49.92) on the University of Arkansas’ banked 200 meter oval. His best flat track time was 51.53 at the end of February at Proviso West. Aaron Porter (Marion HS) could push both of these athletes. He ran 50.64 at SIU at the beginning of March and could get close to 50 in this race. I think a time of under 50.1 will win this event.

Tyler Higgins (Highland HS) only has run 52.31 this season but is the defending champion. He is one athlete that I would not count out. Chris McGee (Cahokia HS) and Colfay Pointer (Rochelle HS) are some of the other runners that could find their way into the first three spots in this event.

 

2:00 PM

Girls 1600 Meter Run

2A Meet Record – 4:51.06 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock – 2011

Outlook – The dynamics will be interesting in this race in which we could see a winning time near 5:05. Kara Martin (Herrin HS) has the second fastest time in 2A and could be the favorite in this race. She likes to push the pace and could provide a fast time. Even though Madison Ronzone (Rosary HS, Aurora) has only run 5:18.69 this indoor season, she is always a threat in every race she is in. I would keep an eye on her. Katherine Petty (Rochester HS) is a runner to keep an eye on as well. The freshman is a fearless racer that ran 5:12.93 at Charleston on March 12. I would expect her to also be up front.

Lauren Whitehouse (Mahomet-Seymour HS) will be coming back from the 3200 Meter Run and most likely the 3200 Relay. We will see how much she has left. Whitehouse did run 5:12 last week. Shelby Siltman (Olympia HS, Stanford), Franny Verville (Dunlap HS), and Delaney Appino (Rockford Boylan Catholic HS) along with Vivian Overbeck (Vernon Hills HS) all have the capability of placing in the top four in this race.

 

Boys 1600 Meter Run

2A Meet Record – 4:16.35 – Michael Clevenger – Decatur MacArthur – 2012

Outlook – If you want a wide open race, I give you this event. There are fifteen runners in this race with anyone of them having the possibility of winning. Evan Mitchell (Lincoln-Way West HS, New Lenox) has the top seed time (4:23.69). Matt Stelmasek (Johnsburg HS) ran 4:26.08 last week and will also be coming back from the 3200. The one runner that could be a factor is Nick Wondaal (Illiana Christian HS, Lansing). He has run 4:25.81 and will be coming back from the 3200 Meter Relay. He finished second by an eyelash last year in the 800. I am sure he is looking for the win in this race.

Seth Williams (Rock Falls HS) has run 4:26 and will be fresh in this race. We could see him pushing the pace early. Michael Ronzone (Marmion Academy, Aurora) and Matt Carr (Limestone HS, Bartonville) could also be a factor up front. Ben Flowers (Jersey HS, Jerseyville) has run only 4:29.78 in this event, but could be the surprise in this race. It could take 4:24 or better to win this race.

 

2:20 PM

Girls 200 Meter Dash

2A Meet Record – 24.58 – Ebony McClendon – Brooks College Prep – 2014

Outlook – Even though this might be her fourth event of the meet, it still expect to see Gabrielle DesRosiers (North Lawndale College Prep, Chicago) the favorite up front in this race. DesRosiers ran 24.69 the University of Arkansas’ banked track in January. She showed her fitness level by running 24.76 at the U of I last weekend. Her time is almost a second faster than the rest of the field. Allie Heinzer (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) ran 25.63 to win her conference race last week and could be the leader of the pack behind DesRosiers.

Whitney Ward (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) and Katina Martin (Eisenhower HS, Decatur) are the only other runners under 26 seconds in this event and pose the biggest challenge to Heinzer.

 

Boys 200 Meter Dash

2A Meet Record – 21.88 – Josh Eiker – Galesburg – 2015

Outlook – Tayjione Nathan (Hillcrest HS, Country Club Hills) has the fastest seed time (22.09) that was run on a banked track at Arkansas last January. Nathan’s best flat track time came from Proviso West at the end of February (22.69). Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) may be a novice in this event but he has run 22.23. Ward will be lined up on the outside lane in front of Nathan. It could be an advantage for Nathan. It could also be a disadvantage if Ward gets a great start.  Adam Nelson (Triad HS, Troy) will be in Lane 6 in the final section. He has run 22.44 this winter. Greg Howell (Morgan Park HS, Chicago) and Tristan Blair (Sacred Heart-Griffin, Springfield) could also challenge for a top spot in this event.

 

2:45 PM

Girls 1600 Meter Relay

2A Meet Record – 4:05.20 – Rich South - 2012

Outlook – Another 2A meet record could fall in the final event of the morning session of this meet. Kaneland surprised most at North Central College on March 7 when they won their section of this relay in a solo 4:00.18. If the same quartet is out there, we could see a time under the magical 4 minute barrier. Springfield Southeast is the next closest team behind Kaneland but that is close to nine seconds. The Lady Spartans could run 4:05 or better in this race. Dunlap and Westinghouse are other schools that could challenge for the top three.

 

Boys 1600 Meter Relay

2A Meet Record – 3:25.18 – Cahokia – 2012

 

Outlook – Cahokia will not have Ja’Mari Ward leading off for them, but they could be a lock in this final event. They have the fastest seed time by ten seconds. Even without Ward, this team could still break their own 2A meet record run four years ago. Morgan Park leads the remaining pack of 11 teams that are within three seconds of each other. Each of these sections should be exciting to watch.