Katelynne Hart was not deterred by any national intimidators when she ran US #1 in the two mile
Do you remember this entry among the many thought provoking ones from MileSplit Illinois contributor "B Side" called 'Who's The Man or (Woman)? It is a now timeless smack at those parents and coaches who think their kids or athletes are the best without consideration for competitors from outside of their realm. Essentially B-Side was saying an athlete can be the man/woman on their team, city, conference, area, sectional even state but barely show up on the radar nationally. It looks like that assertion is being to change. At the recent University of Kentucky High School Invitational, the Illinois contingent was one of the smallest in my memory. It appeared for once perhaps under pressure of getting embarassed against supreme competition, many coaches and athletes who were not ready decided to stay home. However, for the vast majority that went they represented extremely well for themselves and their brethren.
Take a look at the marks at the time it was set on February 18:
- Katelynne Hart (Fr., Glenbard West) set an freshman national record and copped the US #1 time in the girls 2 miles at 10:21.41 which translates to 10:17.81 for 3200m. The field house record confirmed over dominance against some of the best of all time. This is an extremely fast time that beats any girl in Illinois by a considerable distance and one that competes with the very top of the national elite!
- Marcellus Moore (Fr., Plainfield North) showed that Illinois boys are not to be dismissed in the sprints any longer. The new found prodigy burned the track with the #1 freshman time in the 60m at 6.89. Not to be out done was his 21.95 200m clocking. These happen to be very good times when stacked up against the upperclassmen. Moore is the state leader in both events as well.
- Jaimie Robinson (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) won both jumps (TJ/LJ). Robinson's triple jump of 40-9 broke the field house record and rates US #5.
- Kathleen "KD" Young (Sr., Warrensburg-Latham) swept both throws: weight- 55'8"; Young would later return and win her favorite event the shot put with a meet record and field house record 50'8"
- Bret Dannis (Jr., St. Bede) continues to rise as a national force finishing second in the 60HH with a new personal best 7.98 which is IL#1 and US #8. Dannis got a terrible start out of the blocks which left him at a deficit to the likes of national elite Kentre Patterson of E. Lansing, MI. Dannis was able to quickly power himself back upfront but Patterson's tremendous closing speed was just too much. Patterson left the building with a 7.88 US #3 mark.
- Landon Keefover (Sr., Antioch) under the disguise makes the 60HH final and runs IL #2 and 3A's top time. Dannis is a 2A competitor.
- Ayanna Tommy (Fr., Antioch) may be a name we will hear from. She was a late entry in the 60 and did well in the prelims. Tommy ran 7.91 which will put her 9th in the state rankings.
- Jenna Diers (Sr., Lincoln Way West) ran a state best in the 800 (2:17.78). She went with Emma Kuntz of Louisville Male whose pace never slowed down it seemed. Diers would fade badly as Kuntz went on to run a US #2 2:10.61
- Ameia Wilson (So., Danville) may be ready to take a leap as one of best sprinters this season. She runs the state's third best time in the 60m in her prelim (7.80).
- Shanice Garbutt (Jr., Danville) ran close to her personal best in the 800 (2:21.62)- good for IL #3