2018 Class 2A Girls Sprints & Hurdles Preview: Pick Twin Poison

2017 State Champion: Katina Martin (Decatur Eisenhower) 11.52 [+2.6]

Key Returners: Martin, Tina Martin (Decatur Eisenhower), Serena Bolden (Springfield Southeast), Kiara Pauli (Dunlap), Erika Furbeck (Geneseo)

Season Outlook: The top two returners in 2A as well as the entire state and certainly on paper are the Martin twins Katina and Tina. Last year at this time the Decatur duo were a mystery to us all. But as time went on we got to know them well. By season's end there was no doubt of their potential. Katina Martin would on to overpower the state championship field with ease. The world is essentially theirs to succeed or fail in 2018. Tina Martin did not even contest the Century in the post-season because she was on the 4x1 relay and 400. Expect that to change if her mother/coach Jamaican Olympian Tracey Barnes has any say. Hopefully, the wind readings and weather are ripe when championship arrives. Because if it does we see something special in Illinois sprint history. 

Serena Bolden may have to make a choice or it will be made for her here. She was just dabbling around in the short sprints until the summer time when she popped an 11.94. But we all know that she is an extraordinary jumper and that appears to be her future. Kiara Pauli's 11.90 was also during the summer time. She has starred on her team's sprint relays and that seems to be the ultimate focus during her first two seasons as an Eagle. The reigning state long jump champ Erika Furbeck is also a top flight sprinter with two all-state honors. She will look to go under 12.00 this year.

Tina Martin and Mariya Hudson battling in last year's 400 final (Angela Kerndl photo)

2017 State Champion: Mariya Hudson (Cahokia) 54.48

Key Returners: Tina Martin, Raven Moore, Jayla Campbell, Jariah Turner, Likkaya Keyes (E. St. Louis Sr.), Janell Bernardoni (LaSalle-Peru), Emily Silge (Carmel Catholic)

Season Outlook: It will be an even better season here with so many returners and changes going on. State Runner Up Tina Martin is back and could knock on the 52-second door at some point. Raven Moore showed signs of greatness with a monster effort in New Mexico last June. Jayla Campbell has visions of jumping 40-feet in the triple jump, but that may have some impact on her ability to do the 400 as a primary event. E. St. Louis jump into the classification now with a boatload of talent. Aside from Jariah Turner, Shontae Griggs, Rokelle Stanley, there is Likkaya Keyes, formerly of Chicago Morgan Park and Rich South, she has transferred to E. St. Louis Sr for her senior year. Keyes has defiantly run the 400 and maybe she will be a contender on one of the Flyerettes relays. This is because her best event may be the 300H because she ran a strong 400H last summer. Lastly, don't be surprised if Katina Martin jumps in a few 400s this spring.

Top returning performers: 

Can the Martin duo be stopped this season? (Angela Kerndl photo)

2017 State Champion: Katina Martin (Decatur Eisenhower)

Key Returners: K. Martin, T. Martin. Kiara Pauli, Raven Moore, Tredaja Harris

Season Outlook: Expect to see a twin killing this season here. The identical twins Katina and Tina Martin are a clear broken record at this point. We look forward to seeing them both go under 24-seconds this season. They are arguably the two best speedsters in the state from an analytical standpoint. Raven Moore and Kiara Pauli both run on strong 4x200 relays which may have prevented them from going faster. Tredaja Harris blazed some good times and Jyana Anderson (Urbana) starred on relays but was an all-state speedster last year.

There is no one better than Imani Carothers in the 100m High Hurdles (Angela Kerndl photo)

100HH- 

2017 State Champion: Imani Carothers (Chicago Brooks College Prep) 13.72 [+1.8]

Key Returners: Carothers, Laqwasia Stepney, Rokelle Stanley, Vicky Ignacik, Jayla Crosby (Cahokia), Paige Christopher (Galena), Karyn Best (Wheaton Academy), Samantha Hibbard (Sterling)

Season Outlook: The state's best hurdler Imani Carothers is on the verge of becoming the best ever prep this season. For the time being 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold medalist from E. St. Louis Sr. legend Dawn Harper holds the all-time record 13.54 and distinction. Plus, Carothers will need to step up her national game highlight reel as she so deserves to mentioned and spotlighted among the elites before heading to the University of Georgia. With so many strong girls in a crowded field that features 7 of 9 state finalists returning- state runner up Jordyn Bunning of Vernon Hills moved to 3A- this event will be must see. 

Top returning performers: 

Karyn Best showed and proved all season long in the long hurdles (Angela Kerndl photo)

300H- 

2017 State Champion: Karyn Best (West Chicago Wheaton Academy) 43.49

Key Returners: Best, Rokelle Stanley, Laqwasia Stepney, Vicky Ignacik, Sarah Georgieff (Sr., Dunlap),  Aliyah Welter (Sr., Monticello), Emelia Ness (So., Monticello)

Season Outlook: Karyn Best had an extraordinary year last year coming out of the bat cave and dropping an IL#2 mark. By some accounts reported out there is that Best's training is going well. But will that mean is ready to become the "best" again with the bright lights on? Rokelle Stanley was the state leader last year until she hurt her leg in the state championship prelims. She is back and ready to roll. It will be a great battle between the two and maybe Laqwasia Stepney.

Top returning performers: