The B-Side Speaks: Star Power At The 2016 Illinois Top Times

Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker's stock rose tremendously on the recruiting market at Illinois Top Times (Colin B.)

Ice packs, limping ice packs, and injuries of all sorts were a common theme at this year's Top Times Indoor Meet.  The MVP of the meet?  The trainers who got no breaks.  It was the last indoor meet of the 2016 season and it may have come at the right time for some athletes to heal before outdoor officially kicks off.

Top Times is usually a preview of what you're going to get during the outdoor season as far as star power.  In Class 2A, Imani Carothers (Chicago Brooks), one of my must see pre-meet performers, lived up to B-Side hype. She won the long jump with a meet record and US #18 jump of 19-3.75 along with the 60H title with 8.85 (going back to back).  Remember she is ONLY a sophomore.

Senior Gabrielle Desroisiers of Chicago Lawndale was in Steph Curry 3-point mode.  That's right, three titles.  Gabrielle won the 60m in 7.81, the 400 in 57.15, and finally the 200m in 25.05.  She had the fastest 200m out of ALL the classes.  You know what?  Except for the great Brittney Ellis' titles in 2015, Class 2A has had the top 200m overall runner overall, 2 out of the last 3 years.  I'm just saying. 

In 2A boys, I have only two words for you: Jamari Ward (Sr., Cahokia)!  Jamari won and set the long jump record of 25-03.50.  I actually stood by the board when he came through to jump.  The speed, power, precision, and the sound made when he hits the board is different than all the other jumpers.  That's why he is who he is, The Man!  Jamari won the 60m in 6.81- good for IL#1/US#11.  OK, so I guess he got bored with the pit and decided to show he was the fastest 60m sprinter in the state regardless of class.  Boy, you are something else!  He won the triple with an US #4 48-11 and was on the winning 4x2 squad.  That was his last high school indoor meet.  If you still have not witnessed Jamari somehow, step yo' game up.  Get out your planner, clear the schedule and go see him outdoor.

I usually don't write on the high jump but Darryl Sullivan (Sr., Marion) impressed me.  He tied the record at 7-0.25.  If track doesn't work out for him he can be a choir director.  The way he directed his fans to be silent on certain jumps and the raise his arms to get them into a rhythmic clap, was smooth.  Shout out to the choir!  He finishes as the US #1 at 7-3.  Noah Agnew (Sr., Vernon Hills) wouldn't go away and took second with a US #9 6'10.

 

Jaimie Robinson is now a bonafide star emerging on the national level (Colin B.)

The 3A girls brought star power!  I told you before the meet last year and the year before that to watch Jaimie Robinson (Jr., Homewood Flossmoor).  Jaimie won the triple jump with a fantastic leap of 41-3.5, good for US #4.  She broke the record of 40-2 a couple more times to let the fans know it wasn't a fluke.

And who is Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker (Sr., Downers Grove South)?  A lot of people were asking that question.  The beauty of track and field is it always evolves and new people come out of nowhere unannounced.  Shaliyah won the 60H in 8.65 prelim, 8.75 final second only to legendary Shamier Little's 8.60.  When she finished, I looked at T. Jones, he looked at me and I stood up as if I'd gotten up off a church pew!  My words...Who is that?  In the 60m she as my pick but being a sprinter, I noticed that slow "I'm going to play this off but that hurt walk".  Shaliyah won it in 7.50 an Illinois #1 and US #20. If B-Side can't have Waubonsie Valley freshman DaJour "Cinnamon" Miles, then give me "spice" in Shaliyah Dixon Tucker.  I just wanted to throw out for free that without even touching the track; Dajour Miles still stands as the top sprinter 200m/400m in the state.  I'm just sayin!

The 3A boys were interesting too.  Derrius Rodgers (Sr., Lockport) must have gotten inspired by the Who's the Man article.  The target and pressure, whether he wanted it or not, was on Josh Eiker (Sr., Galesburg.  He's been the man all year.  I've been saying the last couple of years to T. Jones, Josh needs to tighten that start up.  Derrius was hyped and won it in 6.87 to Josh's 6.89.  It got real quiet after that.  Shocked and silence, except for Derrius!  But hey, (spoiler alert) Superman just got his behind kicked by Batman (the whole movie) and sometimes when someone tugs on your cape, it wakes you up.  I've said it for years to my son Champ, "Um Champ, this dude is trying to tug on your cape!"  Well someone must have said the same thing to Eiker as he broke the 200m in 21.58.  It's how you bounce back after a defeat!  Even Superman is coming back...you saw that dirt move on the casket.

I was impressed with William Session (Sr., Belleville East), US #11 and title win in the 60H in 7.89.  Hey, did you happen to see Cary Lockhart's (Jr., Bloomington) leg in the 4x2?  A classic leg!  He came all the way from Illinois State to win that section.

Overall, it was Top Times!  The veteran stars performed and new stars emerged.  And now....outdoor season!  Oh, I see you East St. Louis 4x1 relay at the Southwestern Relays: 41.74.  I see you!