2018 Class 2A Girls Pre Season Field Events Preview

The multi-talented Imani Carothers biggest challenge this season will be herself

Long Jump-

2017 State Champion: Erika Furbeck (Geneseo) 19-5 [NWI]
Key returners: Furbeck, Imani Carothers (Sr., Chicago Brooks), Aanise Sajna (Sr., Dunlap), LaQwasia Stepney (Jr., Cahokia), Serena Bolden (Jr., Springfield Southeast), Savannah Sullivan (Sr., Dunlap), Camille Osborne (Sr., Rich South), Emma Helferich (Sr., Monticello)
Season outlook: The 2016 state champion Imani Carothers was displaced by Erika Furbeck on the final jump last year in Charleston. It was a lesson learned for Carothers to never underestimate the competition and keep the foot on the gas to the very end. But let's give credit to Furbeck who is also incredibly talented and will be competing for Iowa State University next year. Furbeck's good 100m speed (12.09) is one ingredient in ascent to the top of the charts. Both Furbeck and Carothers return as state leaders on paper at 19-9. Now we all will await and see who will be the one girl to top 20-feet. Overall, this event is going to be very powerful as 7 all-staters return and among the fray is Serena Bolden. She is already emerging on greatness status in the triple jump. Strength and power are key elements and she will be among the immortal Springfield Southeast idols when it's all said and done... consistency will go a long way if Aanise Sajna can put together a string of 18-foot plus jumps. Camille Osborne is back to improve on her 9th place all-state status.
Top returning performers: 

The state's #1 vaulter is back to shine on all of the biggest stages (Mark Capapas photo)

Pole Vault-
2017 State Champion: Aliyah Welter (Sr., Monticello) 12'9"
Key returners: Welter, Josie Held (Mt. Zion), Lauren Seaver (Normal University), Taylor Millsap, Syndey Bertschy (Sr. Dunlap)
Season outlook: Talent breeds talent and that is no other bastion of talent than central Illinois. The Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club led by coach Mike Cockerham. The state's top vaulter and one of the top 10 talents in the country Aliyah Welter is also an accomplished gymnist. She, though, will be attending the University of Louisville for pole vaulting. Welter was undefeated against state competition last year. Look for her to improve on the 12-9 mark indoors and of course she will be aiming for the all-time best for an IL girl which is 13-5. It is definitely in her range. Josie Held is also another great vaulter whose experience is second to none. The chance of three girls over 13-feet is a possibility if you add in Lauren Seaver. Overall, the vault has been a solid event on the docket and it will be again this season.
Top performing returners:

Complete List



The middle-school phenom proved the form charts correct in her first season of track and field

High Jump  

2017 State Champion: Diamonasia Taylor (Urbana) 5-8
Key returners: Taylor, Sarah Flight (Jr., Charleston), Bryleigh Buchanan (Sr., Harrisburg), Carly Tucker (So., Metamora), Chloee Phillips (Sr., Salem), Eve Meintz (Woodstock Marian), Breya Christopher (Galena)
Season outlook: The indoor and outdoor queen of hops Diamonasia returns as the marked competitor. Though ranked #2 in the physical rankings among returners, Taylor really is the cream of the crop only losing to the US#1 Jelena Rowe in an indoor competition. Now it's her event to shine bright and solo in. Expect to see heights in the 5'9" 5'10" this season from Taylor. Sarah Flight has an interesting surname and her 5-6 is solid. Rokelle Stanley is an athlete but you will not see her much in the high jump outside of getting in some variety and helping her program scoring points when needed. 
Top performing returners: 



Shot Put 
2017 State Champion: Latavia Maines (Centralia) 47-7.25
Key returners: Tayla Schwarz (Sr., Dixon), Nikita Maines (Sr., Centralia), Madelyn Daiber (Jr., Greenville), Addison Cox (Jr., Morton), Claudia Workman (Jr., Clinton), Evangeline Harris (Sr., E. St. Louis Sr.)
Season outlook: This event as a whole could see major hard times due to mass graduation of top talent over the past several years. Latavia Maines exits the stage after a stellar career. Her first cousin Nikita Maines could be the one to step this season. Nikita learned well as an apprentice from big "sister" and has pushed the iron past 40-feet on a consistent basis which has resulted in some accolades. Tayla Schwarz is primarily a discus thrower- that's her bread and butter. But she can whip the shot put too and it will be interesting to see where she goes from here. If there is a big bright spot it will be shot put ace Evangeline Harris was set to be the top 3A returner until classification changes to their school enrollment dropped. So Harris and Schwarz could battle down the road and maybe we will see the drive to 50-feet.
Top performing returners


Imani Carothers will be leaping through the competition all season long (Mark Capapas photo)

Triple Jump 
2017 State Champion: Imani Carothers (Chicago Brooks)
Key returners: Carothers, Serena Bolden (Jr., Springfield Southeast), Jayla Campbell (Jr., Rich Central), Aanise Sajna (Dunlap)
Season outlook: This event could be equal to what Carothers does in her beloved 100HH. But since is going to the University of Georgia she will be jumping. The 42-10 was Illinois all-best until the one Jaimie Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor) unveiled her jumping attire from 3A last year and erased Carother's short lived fame. This is a new year and the competition is much deeper now that more athletic girls are competiting in the TJ. Serena Bolden for instance is a converted sprinter (11.94) and top long jumper. She is still a novice in the triple jump but took second in last summer's USATF final at 41-2.5. Several more girls are at the high end 38-39 foot mark. It is a matter of time before this event ranks up there with the mile/1600.
Top performing returners


Tayla Schwarz has an opportunity to elevate herself into immortal status (Michael Krabbenhoeft photo credit)

Discus Throw 
2017 State Champion: Tayla Schwarz (Dixon) 142-0
Key returners: Schwarz, Evangeline Harris (ESL), Lanaeja Carter (Urbana), Kelly Pottorff (Triad)
Season outlook: Schwarz has been dominant here over the past two years that netted two state championships. She is ready for a trifecta this spring if Evangeline Harris does not stand in the way. The only void on Schwarz's schedule is national prominence. Her best mark only ranks her #42 in the country. That can change with a blowout season against some steeper competition. The 155-foot mark would put Schwarz into the top 10-15 range of her true talent. 
Top performing returners: