Lyons Twp. could factor in several relays at DGN Ritter Invite (Colin Boyle image)
Friday night is going to be a great night either way… you may be out and about enjoying the beautiful spring time weather that is expected to reach near 80 degrees on the Mercury. Or if you are near a track and field stadium in the Downers Grove area, grab something to eat and head to Carstens Field on the Downers Grove North High School campus.
Here is a sampling on what you should peep this evening at the always exciting Bruce Ritter Invitational:
4x800 relay could be a state dress rehearsal-
Regardless of what anyone tells you, the who's who of the entrants in this loaded field will be doing a state meet run through in some respects. What that means is we are going to see how Palatine, Downers Grove North, Elmhurst (York), LaGrange (Lyons), and even Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West) come out of the gate. Will each team throw their ace out in the leadoff position? Will the powers that be sit and wait until the anchor legs to show us all something special? They will then go and take the data and see who can and will be used on the relay down the line. We will also witness who can double back from the relay and who will be able to transition to open events at the state meet. Whatever the case may be expect to see some serious pressure to be applied against the #1 time in Illinois by Yorkville who has clocked 9:22.59.
No Lindsay no problem-
The Glenbard West junior star Lindsay Graham is having a few technical difficulties. To be more specific Graham took an unofficial college visit and is finishing up some academic work- she is fine to say the least. "I will be running next weekend at [our] Sue Pariseau Invitational," Graham said recently assuring she is not injured. Graham is hoping for a bit of a longer season peak and a possible run into June at a national meet or two.
Brooke Wilson (Prospect), Maggie Scholle (Lane Tech), and Amy Kieliszewski (Palatine) have the top seeds in the 3200m. Let's see if one of them can break 11:10. Wilson and Scholle ran at the Illinois Top Times last month but came away a bit disappointed. They will seek redemption on the track today. Others to consider are Lauryn Simmons (Palatine), Katie Hoffman and Alana Austin of Naperville Central. These girls had outstanding cross country seasons and will be itching to drop some serious times.
The 800m field is not as strong as it has been in the past but it still should be a dandy. Imani Davis (Lane Tech) is expected to be completely fresh and ready to run a serious time. Her former teammate Alex Martel (now running for SIU) threw down a 2:16 one season ago. The feeling is Davis can do the same. It would be easy though as Hannah Wahlgren (York) is expected to derail her plans.
The distance race of the day could be the 1600 with Kelly O'Brien (Palatine) as the headliner. O'Brien has a serious seed mark of 5:03 and will surely come close to it if someone can run with her. If not the junior standout is still good enough to run the time and faster on her own. Watch for Rachel Hoffman (Naperville Central) and Megan Beach (Palatine) to fight for supremacy Friday night.
Dominique Lewis has been on a tear all 2015 long for Centennial
Sprints and relays should be exciting with Dominique Lewis as the headliner-
Sprint fans are going to get a treat Friday evening when one of the state's premier speedsters in Dominique Lewis (Champaign Centennial) comes to town. The Centennial boys were at Lane Tech on Thursday evening for a meet so the girls get their Chicago land trip experience. It happens every year for the Chargers crew. Lewis is entered in the 400 and 200 dashes and possibly one relay. Perhaps we could be a witness of Lewis sharpening her strength skills since she will not contest the 100 or 4x1 relay. Most fans would be pleased to see times of 57 and 24.8 from Lewis- but watch out for Tamia Rayford in the 400. She could pull an upset over Lewis... Tineja Foy (Crete-Monee) could damage her IL#3 mark of 45.19 in the 300H after tonight. Foy has been on a tear in her senior season. Foy is also the favorite in the 100H... the relay to watch has to be the #showstopper. That's right folks the 4x400 is going to be very exciting. Lane Tech, Palatine, Lyons, and DGN will most definitely go under 4:05. Can one of them push the 4:00 barrier? Stay to the end of the meet and see!
Two-time state champ high jump champion Emma Haugen will be in the house-
Emma Haugen (Lyons Twp) has enjoyed a fine jumping career winning the state 3A crown several times. She has equally dominated the Ritter Invite as well. Haugen has the state's third best clearance of 5-6. She would like to improve on that mark of course. Maybe Jes Skudlurek (Prospect) can push herself to challenge Haugen to new heights and possibly two personal bests for both performers.
Haugen currently has the fourth best state performance in the triple jump at 38-0.75. She would like to improve that some more and possibly move into the top three before the weekend is over. It can happen if the conditions stay calm and solid.
Catherine Sherwood (Prospect) could be the top long jumper at the end of the night. She jumped 18-7.5 last year on her way to earning all-state honors. Let's see if Sherwood can spark some magic on the way runway on Friday evening.
