Lincoln Way East will be ready and set to dominate the relays this season (Dwayne Pierre-Antoine photo)
Last year opening thoughts on relays went a little something like this:
"When it comes to big league relays things can be the difference between smiles and the grabbing all the perks and accolades you can vs. riding home on a quiet bus filled with sorrow. Over the past several years Illinois has made a name among the national conscious. For example, Lincoln-Way has made a big splash on the national stage. The trickle down theory has worked in that other solid sprint relay teams have gained from their attention and production."
It will stay that way again....
2015 State Champion: Naperville North 9:11.63
Outlook: The long distance rich Naperville North Huskies got in on the 4x8 sweepstakes by vying for a state title for the first time around the conference championship time. It was in that race that head cross country coach Dan Iverson who assists in track put in his superstar Judy Pendergast (Sr.) and she ran 2:14.9. With the depth of the Huskies all it took was a little bit more commitment to some upgraded speed training and monster can be laid out for the state series. In the state prelim, Iverson rolled out Pendergast and Sarah Schmitt in the state prelim and produced the fastest overall time 9:15.95. For the final the rested Elly Deturris and Claire Hamilton (Jr.) teamed with regulars Jenny Gibson (Sr.) and Emory Griffin (Sr.) and the result was a 9:11.63 victory over favored Palatine. Pendergast may not run on the relay at state this year, but expect the Huskies to load it a time or two during the season.
Palatine has won more titles than any team in state history (five) and their record of producing top three performances is off the charts. It will be a difficult task for the Lady Pirates this season with a number of losses and the returning depth a bit below normal levels. Kelly O'Brien (Sr.) is one of the best middle-distance runners in the state who may want to concentrate on the mile. O'Brien clocked 2:10.1 in last year's final and the temptation of wanting to assist her teammates at the end of the season may be too strong to resist.
Other strong teams to watch out for during the season are Lincoln-Way East, Fox Lake (Grant), Geneva, Barrington, Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), Wheaton-Warrenville South, Wilmette (Loyola Academy), Chicago Lane Tech, Hoffman Estates, Yorkville, and Edwardsville. At any given moment these squads are capable of producing some amazing performances.
Top performances in 2015-
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:11.63 | ||
| 2 | 9:11.96 | ||
| 3 | 9:13.42 | ||
| 4 | 9:14.68 | ||
| 5 | 9:14.72 | ||
| 6 | 9:16.13 | ||
| 7 | 9:18.02 | ||
| 8 | 9:19.23 | ||
| 9 | 9:22.51 | ||
| 10 | 9:22.59 |
4x100m-
2015 State Champion: Bolingbrook 47.58
Outlook: It was a photo finish upset over Lincoln-Way East for Bolingbrook that disbelief followed by tears of joy. It was something in time they will never forget. For LWE in 2016 it will all business for the state's deepest unit. The Griffins return their entire state final line-up (Alexis Pierre-Antoine (Sr.), Jasmine Howell (Sr.), Nicole Humenik (Jr.), Asia Brown (Sr.). As good as the 2015 unit was and could be this year, it is expected to be top of the line when Ololade Ayoola (Jr.) and Kayla Hylton (Sr.) is added. We may see our first sub 46-second clocking this season. No team in Illinois will be able to touch the Griffins if they get the stick around the track successfully. It now appears the six cylinder engine to a V12 power horse. No pressure.
The upstart O'Fallon group returns three legs from a 47.68 third place finish at state. The Panthers will undoubtedly represent the southern section for sure against the likes of E. St. Louis Sr, Cahokia, the Belleville schools and more. Mya Watson-Blake returns at anchor and that helps greatly. Other teams to watch include Bloomington, Springfield, West Aurora, Rock Island, and Hinsdale Central. Although Evanston is not mentioned as a top team, don't be surprised to see the Wildkits to rear its head during the latter stages of the season.
Top performances in 2015-
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47.31 | ||
| 2 | 47.40 | ||
| 3 | 47.42 | ||
| 4 | 47.58 | ||
| 5 | 47.61 | ||
| 6 | 47.68 | ||
| 7 | 48.18 | ||
| 8 | 48.30 | ||
| 9 | 48.57 | ||
| 10 | 48.58 |