My-oh-my the official Illinois track and field season is coming soon and quickly. In fact, the exact date of commencement for coaches and athletes to link together is Monday, January 20. The first competition is set to begin on Monday, February, 3. Before that all goes down there is one more meet to capture. The University of Arkansas-Fayetteville will host a massive high school invitational on Saturday, January 18.
The state of Illinois has been on the move during the “dead period” at various competitions throughout the Midwest. So it should not be a surprise that Arkansas will attract as large a following as Texas A&M did a week ago. The fireworks that are going to go on inside the Randal Tyson Indoor Complex will be a barn burner and precursor for the upcoming 2014 season.
MEET INFO/SCHEDULE
Key IL Girls entries and predictions-
60m-
Brittny Ellis (Jr., Warren/University of Chicago TC)
Kayla Hylton (Sr., Lincoln-Way North/Illinois Elite TC)
Alexis Hyshaw (Sr., Lincoln-Way East/Illinois Elite TC)
Brittnay Thomas (Sr., Bloom Township/Illinois Elite TC)
Megan Marias (Sr., Lincoln-Way East/Illinois Elite TC)
Predictions: The fact that the lack of prowess at Texas A&M last year did not fly past head coach Angelo Brown. He was satisfied with his team’s performance but had some harsh sentiments for the detractors. “I was proud of how the girls ran [at Texas A&M] considering we had limited use of facilities due to weather.... to all of the haters out there come and see me in May!" Brittny Ellis makes her 2014 debut after producing a wonderful 2013 campaign. One has to believe that the short dash is just a run through for what she may try in May. Rust or no rust she should make the final. Alexis Hyshaw had another week of solid training and she should be in line to make the final.
200m-
Brittny Ellis (Jr., Warren/UCTC)
Briyanna Desrosiers (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep)
Asia Brown
Patrice Jones
Kayla Hylton
Alexis Hyshaw
Kyla Jimmar (Sr., Richards/Illinois Elite TC)
Brittnay Thomas (Sr., Bloom Township/Illinois Elite TC) Predictions: Brittny and Briyanna may or may not face each other until the final Saturday evening. But one thing for sure is the journey is going to be fun to watch. There are going to be over 50 heats of the 200m. At least there will be plenty of rest for the athletes doing multiple events.
400m-
Janile Rogers (Sr., Minooka/Aurora Flyers TC)
Patrice Jones (Sr., Hononegah/Illinois Elite TC)
Brittny Ellis (Jr., Warren/UCTC)
Briyanna Desrosiers (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep)
Edquinette West (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep)
Jasmine Berry (Sr., Belleville West/Track My Speed TC)
Miranda Merry (Sr., Fisher/Track My Speed TC)
Emma Spagnola (Sr., West Aurora/Track My Speed TC)
Predictions: This will be the deepest event for the Prairie State contingent. It starts with hurdle aces Miranda Marry, Emma Spagnola, and Jasmine Berry. It will end with Brittny and Briyanna. Brittny is the state's premier long sprinter now that Shamier Little has graduated to Texas A&M. But she now has a new threat in Briyanna who is ranked #2 in the US at 55.50. Her coach Zontavious Johnson has indicated that Desrosiers is still experiencing a growth process in her premier event. "She needs to run more even if she wants to be as good as we think she can. In the prelim at Texas A&M, she went out in 24.9 and came back in 30."
60HH-
Emma Spagnola (Sr., West Aurora/Illinois Elite TC)
Jasmine Berry (Sr., Belleville West/Track My Speed TC)
Kyla Jimmar (Sr., Richards/Illinois Elite TC)
predictions: Emma Spagnola is at her best in this short one. She has good technique and speed which should translate to making the final.
4x200m relay-
North Lawndale Prep
Quick outlook: The actual high school quartet led by Briyanna Desrosiers will lead off in this one that should run under 1:45.
Long Jump-
Patrice Jones (Sr., Hononegah/Illinois Elite TC)
Kyla Jimmar (Sr., Richards/Illinois Elite TC)
Asia Brown (So., Lincoln-Way East/Illinois Elite TC)
Prediction: Asia Brown begins her quest as a field event specialist here. There is optimism in the LWE camp that she will eventually soar over 18-feet. Patrice Jones is more than a novice too.
Key IL Boys entries:
60m-
Terry McGee (Sr., Chicago Lawndale Prep)
Kahmari Montgomery (Jr., Plainfield Central)
Predictions: Both of these speedsters should run a personal best.
200m-
Kahmari Montgomery (Jr., Plainfield Central)
Marlin Brady (Sr., Cahokia)
Jalon Monigan (Sr., Cahokia)
Terry McGee (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep)
Predictions:
400m-
Marlin Brady (Sr., Cahokia)
Quenten Nash (Sr., Crete-Monee)
Imani Payton (Sr., Cahokia)
Predictions: Quentin Nash is the newbie here. He had a solid year until injuries took him under. Imani Payton ran a fast 50.30 last weekend in Texas. He will be near 50.0 this time.
4x200m relay-
Cahokia
Chicago North Lawndale Prep
Predictions: The Comanches and Phoenix should put up a fast mark. Can we say 1:32 for one of the teams?
4x400m relay-
Cahokia
Prediction: If the "A" team line up for the final, then we should see a low 3:20s mark.
Long Jump-
Ja’mari Ward (So., Cahokia)
Imani Payton (Sr., Chicago Lawndale Prep)
Jalon Monigan (Sr., Cahokia)
Prediction: The former freshman sensation is now the sophomore superstar known as Ja'Mari Ward. Look for him to leap over 23-feet in his season debut.
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