The B Side Returns!!! I just finished up my club indoor season (Dominators) and decided to pick up my pen while I take a short break. The Dominators did real well this season, picking up a few AAU national titles and staying on the podium. As I look forward to this 2015 season, it should be very interesting as some Illinois vets have moved on to the college ranks. I got a great feeling as I watched Texas A&M superstar Shamier Little take the 400m title (51.37 #2 time in the world), Dominique Kimple put the University of Alabama in the lead after her lead off in the 4x4 relay, and Aaliyah Brown (Texas A&M) in the SEC meet. I then look and see Parker English lead off Notre Dame's 4x4 in the ACC meet this past weekend. But as the vets leave, there are some new names, faces and schools that must take over. There are some athletes who are looking to repeat the success of 2014.
As we went through the indoor club season, I noticed and realized a few things. I realized this is the last rodeo for Brittny Ellis (Gurnee Warren). I've watched her since she started and represented our state at nationals during the summer by winning the whole thing. After this season she's off to the University of Miami Hurricanes. She's been one of the most consistent champions in IL state history. So this is like an NBA player's farewell tour, only she isn't retiring. Oh, and Brittny still runs like Brittny.
I witnessed the excellence of Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central) at AAU indoor nationals. He's gotten a touch of ol' skool in him. I don't know if he is going to run the times he mentioned on the Coach Tom Boatright documentary but he definitely has more than a shot at repeating his 2014 success and repeating at state. One of the names you need to pay attention to, not only this season, but the next couple of seasons is Jaime Robinson (Chicago De LaSalle). She has already gone 37' 08 ¾" which is IL #1 in the triple. I saw a jump at the USA Midwest Zone meet at Purdue which may have been farther than that. Believe me when I say it was HUGE! She is also a pretty good sprinter, so watch her close.
The B Side took a few Dominators to the UK Invite in Lexington, Ky. It was basically to get my frosh some major Big Meet experience. I hadn't been since 07, so it was real exciting unless the New Balance meet in NY tops it next week? It will have been the toughest indoor meet of the season by far. As we walked in the Nutter Field house, my only words to my kids were "Welcome to Big Time high school track." It's one thing to win club meets and walk around with big medallions saying you are the national champion but it is totally different to compete at the next level. It was cool watching college coaches just roaming the infield looking for recruits. What an atmosphere! IL was represented well. I only wish there had been more athletes attend, because I like to see big time matchups with IL athlete's vs whomever from wherever.
I also saw former Danville great and Decatur MacArthur rival, Kevin Hall (hurdler, left photo) from the mid-80's. Kevin was the 1985 AA 110 hurdle state champion. That was back when there were only two classes and you had to be a beast to win a state title. I hadn't seen him since 1985. He mentioned how another Danville great, Edmondo Moxey (2nd-200, 3rd-100 in the 1984 AA meet) had passed. That was really sad and I immediately started texting former teammates to tell them. MacArthur and Danville didn't like each other on the track, but we respected each other off it. I even got to see my brother Chris Jelks (Head Coach of Kentucky Elite). His girl Lillie won the HJ and my main man, Jaron Brooks aka "One Mo" (I gave him the nickname), took over the #1 spot in the US in the high jump, going 7'1. It was a great meet, Illinois did well, and my kids learned a lot.
I want to dedicate this to Stuart Scott (ESPN broadcaster) I never met him, but he was cooler than the other side of the pillow.