Whitney Young Girls Add Another CPS Title To The Trophy Case

Amira Young produced one of the best individual performances at the CPS Co-ed Championships


MEET PAGE

Nothing in the sporting world is guaranteed. But if there were it would be good money to bet on the Whitney Young girls track and field team. After a dominating performance in Tuesday's preliminary round at dank Hanson Stadium on the northwest side of Chicago, the task on Saturday was to simply score at will... and score at will the Dolphins did. When it was all over the final tally was 135 points. Kenwood has been a rising team for several years now, and overtaking traditional power Lane Tech may have signaled a time of the signs for girls track in the city. The Broncos scored a hearty 112 points to Lane's 82.

Amira Young scores a trifecta-

Although Whitney Young junior Amira Young has been here before, it does not seem as though she has received her just due. Oh by the way she is the defending 3A state champion in the 100 and 200 dashes. perhaps the lack of authoritarian respect has bestowed on athletes like Imani Carothers (Jr., Brooks), Jaimie Robinson (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), and even a freshman distance prodigy named Katelynne Hart from Glenbard West. 

Young added the 400 to her arsenal which meant that she was ready to accept all challenges with such a grueling meet schedule. Yound actually qualified for four events and the first one was anchoring the 4x100 relay which placed second to a blazing Kenwood foursome that ran 49.96 against pretty windy conditions. Young passed several girls enroute as she was just "warming up." Next up was her signature event the Century. It was no contest as Young dusted the field with a personal best and IL #2 11.73 (all conditions). The daunting task would be the 400. Young had only run the event just a few times in her career, much less a double, triple, or quartet. She moved around the track a little reserved but staying close to the leaders and eventually breaking stagger. She finally moved fast on the homestretch against the favorite Zakiyra Johnson (So., Kenwood). Young has superior speed and apparently now speed endurance. She caught Johnson for the win 59.13-59.36. Finally, the 200 was the remaining item on the plate. Young pulled away from Morgan Park senior Carinne Parker 24.88-25.47.


Carothers had a solid day by her standards. She won both the long and triple jump. The long jump record had stood for many years before finally falling. Carothers came with a season best from Tuesday's prelim 18-7.75. But on Saturday it was all business. Carothers leaped a personal best 19-8.5 which vaulted her to IL#3 all conditions and served as a wake up call for anyone who thought she had fell asleep at the wheel. For good measure Carothers won the triple with a IL #2 39-8.75. Lane's Amira Hardiman (Jr.) would be runner up twice to Carothers. Lastly, it was her favorite event- the 100HH. Carothers dusted the field from the first set of hurdles and sped away in another state leading time 14.12. Now as we enter the state series it is all business and noticed served to any non believer.


Rebecca Odusola overpowers her peers in the 800 (Mark Capapas photo)

The best of the rest:

Rebecca Odusola (Sr., Mather) was already one of the top middle distance runners in the state with a personal best 2:14.48. So as expected in the 800 Odusola bolted to the front and made the pack of girls come and get her if they could. They could not. The first lap was in a brisk 65.2 and the fight for second between Fiona Casey (Sr., Northside Prep) and Alana Berry (Fr., Whitney Young). Odulosa cruised home in 2:19.29. Casey held on against Berry 2:22.76-2:23.21.

Maggie Scholle (Sr., Lane Tech) was waiting for the right time to get her season going. She did just that with winning efforts in the 3200 and 1600. The first race was a walk in the park as Scholle by 25 seconds in 11:30.26. The latter was just as easy despite a much stronger field. Alana Chandler (Jr., Payton Prep) took second once more against Scholle's tough pace. The winning time was fast enough in 5:18.48.

It was a great 300H battle between Jade' Mayes (Sr., Westinghouse) and Anna Baltudis (Sr., Lane Tech). Both girls distanced themselves from the field near the middle hurdles and pushed strong on the homestretch. Mayes was able to hold on for the win 46.02-46.11.

Kenwood sprayed a few other victories around the track including the 4x200 relay (1:46.25)and high jump with Kennedi Glover (So.) winning at 5-2.