Milesplit Illinois is pleased to announce the first athletes of the week for the 2014 track and field season. Kudos go out to every athlete in Illinois who competed tough in their team competitions and individual competitions over the past week.
Girls-
Lena Giger (Sr., Highland) has already enjoyed one of the best indoor seasons of any prep shot put thrower in the country with marks ranging from 46-48 feet. However, this past weekend at the Troy Triad Invitational (hosted by Principia College) Giger unleashed her personal best effort of 49-9 which happens to be the all-time indoor best for an Illinois girl. It is also the fourth best mark in the country. Giger’s series of throws went foul, 44-8, 49-6.5, 47-8.5, 47-4, 49-9.
Boys-
Sophomore sensation Ja’mari Ward has been nothing short of remarkable for his Cahokia team. Ward produced another unbelievable effort in the field at Principia College when he set the national sophomore record in the triple jump leaping 50-2.50- good for US#2. Ward was able to produce a 48-7 effort mixed in with between two fouls. Coach Leroy Millsap stated that Ward scratched on a 51-foot jump during his last attempt. “It’s a matter of time before he gets into the 52-foot range,” said Millsap of his child prodigy. Ward completed a full day of events including two relays and the long jump in which he won in a US#4 23-11.5.
Tony Zea (Sr., Downers Grove North) has transitioned nicely from the soccer field to the track as evidenced by his outstanding efforts at the Proviso West Invitational. Zea set a school record in the 800m running a sizzling 1:56.28 (IL#2). The thing that makes his mark impressive is that it was run on a 200m flat track in his first competition of the season. Zea completed his day by assisting his mates in the 4x400m relay leading off with a 51.7 tote. “Tony has had an excellent winter of training and he is a highly motivated individual that is running with a lot of confidence and desire to have his taste of what the guys had during the cross country season,” said his coach John Sipple.
Milesplit Illinois is pleased to announce the first athletes of the week for the 2014 track and field season. Kudos go out to every athlete in Illinois who competed tough in their team competitions and individual competitions over the past week.
Girls-
Lena Giger (Sr., Highland) has already enjoyed one of the best indoor seasons of any prep shot put thrower in the country with marks ranging from 46-48 feet. However, this past weekend at the Troy Triad Invitational (hosted by Principia College) Giger unleashed her personal best effort of 49-9 which happens to be the all-time indoor best for an Illinois girl. It is also the fourth best mark in the country. Giger’s series of throws went foul, 44-8, 49-6.5, 47-8.5, 47-4, 49-9.
Boys-