Summer track has kept Chicago land ablaze-
The epicenter of track and field this summer has been Illinois Benedictine University. The gracious hosts have put on some great meets. The USATF (United States Track and Field) and its underling USATF Illinois produced the World Youth Trials, Hersey National Championships, association and regional competitions. They all have been fun to attend and watch. Even more fun was watching my friend Thomas Boatright and his dominating Aurora Flyers slay their competition at nearly every age-group level. The Flyers of course led things off with the super talented 8th grader Dajour Miles- she is the one that everyone calls “Cinnamon” has more than showed up against would be foes. Miles produced lightening times faster than any high school competitor has to be of concern as the 2015-2016 school year is just around the corner. The girls’ 17-18 age group made some big noise of their own in a form of a meet record in the 4x400 relay. The quartet of Samara Miller, Ashleigh Wilson, Charlyncia Stennis, and Tashee Hargrave put a stinger on the competition with a sizzling 3:42.99. The competitive spirit oozed from the ladies as they responded from a group of haters who seemed to think their fine efforts were made of luck. Look for the Flyers to make noise at the upcoming AAU Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Let’s give a shout out Alton senior to be Lajarvia Brown. She recently competed in the World Youth Championship in Cali, Colombia. Brown leaped an impressive 41-9.5. This mark is the second longest leap for an Illinois girl. The only farther one is Deanna Simmons of the jumps rich Decatur MacArthur program back in the 1990s. Simmons connected on a 42-2 effort in 1996 in route to All-American honors at the then TAC Nationals. Speaking of traveling to nationals if you need a ride to the USATF National Championships in Jacksonville, Florida, contact Track My Speed head coach Abe Jones. Here is his info:
Trackmyspeed Charter
Cost: $250 roundtrip
Departure: Sunday, July 26th at 4am Central Time- 699 East Boughton Road; Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Arrival: Sunday, July 26th at 10pm EST at 751 Skymarks Dr.; Jacksonville, FL (there will be two 1hr mandatory stops)
Departure back home: Sunday August 2- Jacksonville, FL
Seats are being sold first come, first serve, using your Chase Quick Pay receipt as a ticket and time stamp. Chase quick pay recommended for payment to: Ajones@trackmyspeed.com
Connie Price-Smith says good bye to SIU (SIU Saluki's credit)
Last but not least is my college rant-
I remember my first time stepping on a college campus for real as a student. I had this feeling that I have arrived big time. Although it was many moons ago, the feeling must be the same for today's student-athletes. As well I knew that my college coach was there for me as my coach first and then friend second. But I also knew that he was a business person in the sense that coaching was his livelihood. At any moment he could take a coaching position to further himself and his family.
Connie Price-Smith recently resigned as the director of track and field at Southern Illinois University to take the same position at the very lucrative University of Mississippi which competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). I don't think a soul who is familiar with athletics can blame her. In fact, it was smart move for a well established coach who spent 14 years as the head person in charge at SIU. It was perhaps her time to go. I know coach Price-Smith. I meet her years ago when she retired as a pro athlete. I know about her accomplishments and the fact that she is an Olympian. So I have the upmost respect for Coach Price-Smith.
I need to be objective here on the subject regarding coaches uprooting their former programs. I have several athletes competing at the next level and I am well aware of the fact that it is upsetting to get news after the coach has made a decision to leave. I have several former athletes who compete for SIU and one of them did not know that the Smiths were leaving until she saw it on the internet!! Now, even more shocking is my former athlete renewed her scholarship for the upcoming season. She did not have a particularly good freshman season but she wanted to make good on the promise of being a loyal student-athlete. The coaching staff is gone and my kid is stuck. She cannot transfer without penalty. It is too late to be picked up by someone else. Meanwhile her former roommate Raven Saunders is leaving for Old Miss and will more than likely get to compete next year. Saunders is the defending NCAA Women's shot put champion. I really hope the NCAA can allow student-athletes the ability to leave and not be penalized when their head coaches bolt for greener pastures.