The qualifying athletes will earn trips to Donetsk, Ukraine for next month's World Youth Championships held July 10-14.
Girls
100m - Aaliyah Brown (Frankfort Lincoln-Way East), Morolake Akinosun (University of Illinois)
Outlook: These two stallions were well acquintainted in high school with some very memorable battles. Now, they will more than likely will meet two times in the quest of making the youth team. Brown will have to deal with a little rust after not competing in more than a month. But the talented LWE graduate has a wind legal US#16 11.63 mark on her resume. Akinosun on the other hand just finished a sensational freshman year that resulted in Big 10 indoor freshman of the year. As well, she produced second fastest time in school history (11.29). Akinosun earned two All-American honors in the 100 and 4x400 relay.
200m - Brown, Akinosun
Outlook: Brown has room to improve in this event after sacrificing it for team duties. Her season best of 24.03 has room for improvement. Akinosun advanced to the NCAA semi-final and should make the final with ease.
400m- Shamier Little (Chicago Lindblom), Cameron Pettigrew (Chicago Payton)
Outlook: Little and Pettigrew are friends but they will be competitors one last time before moving on to college. Little is using this opportunity to work on lowering her time "in my weak event." Little's season best of 54.37 is hardly weak. Expect her time to dip into the 53-second range. Pettigrew should be primed to run a personal best as well. Jessica Oranika (Southern IL-Edwardsville) ran some mean 4x4 anchors for Belleville West in high school.
800m- Michelle Dobbs (Rochelle)
Outlook: The 2A champion Dobbs will be looking to break 2:10 for the first time.
100H- Shamier Little
Outlook: Little has an opportunity to make the field to Ukraine. If she does she may not be able to go due to conflictions with school. Little signed with Texas A & M.
Shot Put- Lena Giger (Highland)
Outlook: Giger continues her great junior year that resulted in some stout performances. The senior to be will be looking to eclipse the 48-foot mark.
Pole Vault- Carly Schmidt (Lake Forest)
Outlook: Schmidt has skied 13-0 and earned the 3A state title this season. She is also undeated.
Boys
10,000m - Tyler Schneider (University of Missouri/Conant HS), Will Brewster (U of Illinois/Grayslake Central HS)
Outlook: Schnedier and Brewster just finished their freshman years at their respected universities. Hopefully, they will find solace in earning two personal bests.
High Jump- Alex King (Massac County), Jonathan Wells (Fox Lake Grant)
Outlook: King and Wells are among the best leaprs in the country. King is the 1A two-tme champion; Wells is the 3A champion. King was co-US#1 indoors.
Pole Vault- Luke Winder (Plainfield Central)
Outlook: The top vaulter in the state will now see his biggest challenge of the year. Winder has flirted with 17-feet on several occasions this year.
Outlook: The top vaulter in the state will now see his biggest challenge of the year. Winder has flirted with 17-feet on several occasions this year.
Triple Jump- Shawn Koch (Lake Park)
Outlook: One of the state's top leapers takes his shot in a big pond.
Discus Throw - Brandon Lombardino (Fox Lake Grant)
Outlook: Lombardino missed out on the All-American fest last weekend at NBON. Hopefully he will be able to spark his own fireworks.
Decathlon - Scott Filip (Lake Park)
Outlook:The all around talented Filip takes his shots in the 10-event fest.
Outlook:The all around talented Filip takes his shots in the 10-event fest.
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