One of the best distance runners in the state of Illinois is Anna Sophia Keller
Anna Sophia Keller-
One of the state's all-time best distance runners Anna Sophia Keller will be in attendance. Keller will contest two events and one of them will not be her signature 3200m which she has never run at Top Times. Instead it will be the 800 and 1600. The latter may put her on even footing with several competitors if you take in account that 2:19.62 is the third fastest time in the class. Keller won the event last year in 2:15.98 and two of the victims were Arielle Summitt (Jr., Urbana University) and Audrey Harrod (Sr., Hinckley-Big Rock). Summitt's confidence may be at an all-time high after she competed in New York at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. Summitt put in a late charge and finished 10th overall in 2:16.07- the fastest time in Class A... Keller will be up against the clock in the 1600 and may challenge her NXN teammate Katelynne Hart (Fr., Glenbard West) in a virtual race as both have an opportunity to break the all-time record.
The rest of the best is here-
3200: Daly Galloway (Sr., Dwight) will anchor the longest race of the day. It was just a few weeks ago that Daly dropped a classification best 10:55.50 at the Batavia Distance Madness. As far as the rest of the field, it will be incredibly hard for Katelyn Robbins (So., Liberty) to stay with Daly. As it stands it could be a lap fest for Galloway if the rest of the field does not step up.
60HH: There is a reason why the #1 team in the MileSplit Illinois Power Rankings is anchored by the IL #6 performer Parker Francisco (Sr., St. Joe Ogden). It was at the Charleston Invite that Francisco ran 9.16 to snatch the Class A lead away. The momentum should go a long way in improving on last year's 4th place finish at Top Times.
400: This is arguably one of the most evenly matched events on the docket. The final section will feature classification leader Marguerite Hendrickson (Jr., Champaign St. Thomas More) whose 1:02.47 just edges Arielle Summitt's 1:02.62 and Kayla Armstrong (Sr., Chicago Luther North) 1:02.65. If the race is traffic free we could see someone break 1:00.
4x800: This is the meet that we usually see multiple teams break 10:00 for the first time of the season. St. Thomas More leads the field with a 10:17.41 best and that will obviously be lowered. It looks like most of the list leading state teams are entered and that makes for exciting times.
4x200: St. Joe Ogden is the favorite in this one seeded first with a 1:49.33 mark and nearly minutes ahead of their nearest opponent.
4x400: The depth will show up once again for SJO as the Spartans head the class with a solid 4:14.28. The showstopper will feature Clifton Central and their 4:14.84. Can they push each other to a sub 4:10 clocking?