Hannah Morris produced a great series of jumps in last year's state championship
Long Jump-
2016 State Champion: Hannah Morris (Jr., Chicago Heights Bloom Twp.) 19-3 [+2.9]
Key returners: Hannah Morris, Sydney Jones (Jr., Chicago Kenwood), Melzina Johnson (Sr., Joliet West), Hailey Taylor (Sr., Evanston), Jaimie Robinson (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Alison Woerner (Sr., Chatham-Glenwood), Kameesha Smith (Sr., South Holland Thornwood), Corey Rinella (Sr., Palatine), Maddie Manganiello (Jr., Downers Grove South)
Outlook: The former IESA state record holder who once jumped over 18-feet as an eighth grader finally put it together this past year. Hannah Morris proved down the stretch that she was the best long jumper in Illinois with a state championship and later New Balance Outdoor Nationals All-American honors. This season Morris has some very serious goals. The goals are so serious that she gave up basketball to concentrate on track and field. The goal of reaching the magical mark of 21-feet is Morris' goal simple and plain. She is the #7 returner in the United States all conditions (#5 legal wind) and that is good news for Illinois girls following behind her. The returning cast is very strong with seven state finalists- three girls have eclipsed 19-feet. One of those sky flying girls is Maddie Manganiello holds her school record but did not make the state final. She fouled on all of her jumps. Look for Maganiello to be more consistent and shoot for the moon. Jaimie Robinson is a triple jumper by trade and everyone knows this. However, the soon to be University of Alabama star is good in the long jump too. Robinson surpassed the 18-foot mark last year and went straight to the 19s. With newfound leg speed it is possible that Robinson will give the 20-foot mark a serious scare. Overall, the long jump has become of the deepest and talented events in track and field in Illinois. It will again stand out.
Top performances in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20-1.75 | -0.2 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 19-6 | 2018 | |||
| 3 | 19-0.25 | 2017 | |||
| 4 | 18-6.5 | 2017 | |||
| 5 | 18-4 | 2017 | |||
| 5 | 18-4 | 2017 |
Pole Vault-
2016 State Champion: Katie Schroeder (Grayslake Central) 12-3
Key returners: Ali Munson (Sr., Lisle Benet Academy), Alyssa Morello (Sr., Lake Zurich), Nikki Ogorek (Sr., Normal Community), Sarah Craig (So., Danville), Brooke Misukonis (Jr., Bloomington)
Outlook: Last year's pre-season favorite Katie Schroeder went coast to coast- winning Illinois Top Times and the IHSA state championship. She has now abdicated her throne and move on to Ivy League University of Penn. There is a defending champion back in 3A and that person is Ali Munson from 2A. Munson is a good all-around athlete who is formerly state ranked in the long jump. But her main event is the PV and she is the #1 overall vaulter in the state. The former gymnast has transitioned very well to say the least. The 13-foot barrier is the next stop for Munson before heading off to college. The other 12-foot vaulter Alyssa Morello has finished 11th and 13th at the state meet. Look for her to find a way to balance her time in the vault pit and on the hurdles. Morello took 7th in state in the 300H. Nikki Ogorek cleared 12-feet several years ago. Watch for her to bounce back in her final season.
Top performances in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12-9 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 12-0 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 11-9 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 11-4 | 2019 | ||
| 5 | 11-3 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 11-3 | 2017 |
The 6'4" lengthy Jelena Rowe made her presence felt at New Balance Outdoor Nationals
High Jump-
2016 State Champion: Jaida Green (Downers Grove North) 5-7
Key returners: Jelena Rowe (Sr., Chicago Heights Bloom Township), Grace Daun (So., Wauconda), Ololade Ayoola (Sr., Lincoln Way East), Lenae Ludy (Sr., Plainfield South), Tyronay Taylor (Sr., Bolingbrook), Sydney Anderson (Sr., Yorkville), Kristin Higgins (Sr., Geneva), Kameesha Smith (Sr., Thornwood), Tabor Gleason (Jr., Cary-Grove), Katie Mans (Jr., Alton)
Outlook: Has any athlete fell short indoors, outdoor state and then go on to the national championship known as the New Balance Outdoor Nationals? This is what happened with Jelena Rowe. The 6'4" stallion who gave up her love of volleyball has now given herself to track and field. Her coach Andrew Schmitt thinks the combination of being relaxed and no pressure on herself in an enviroment that breeds success such as Greensboro, North Carolina. The ultimate result was a massive personal best 5'10" winner. Now the stakes are even higher for the US #1 returning Rowe who wants to go 6'1" this season. The tools are there but she will have to be more consistent every meet this season. The bullseye will be squarely on Rowe's back in 2017. As for the rest of the cast, it is extremely deep with nine state finalists returning. There are 13 girls who cleared 5'6" back in the fold.
Top performances in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-10 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 5-8 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 5-7 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 5-7 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 5-7 | 2017 |