4-time defending 2A state champion Cahokia will make their debut at the U of Arkansas Invite
The Chicago Winter Vortex also known as the North Polar Vortex has taken a break for the time being. While it is supposed to be a welcoming 30s in the Fahrenheit department, the climes down south in Fayetteville, Arkansas is supposed to reach the lower to mid-50s. Those temperatures are warm enough to contest outdoor meets but…
The University of Arkansas will host one of the biggest indoor meets in the country this weekend and it usually draws a significant amount of out of state competition. For Illinois, it marks the crescendo of the indoor club season. The official IHSA season will start on January 19. But in meantime let's take a look a few meets this weekend.
University of Arkansas High School Invitational-
Girls-
60m-
Kayla Hylton (Jr., Lincoln-Way North/Illinois Elite TC)
Willow Stuedemann (Jr., Seneca/Illinois Elite TC)
200m-
Hannah Schlaman (So., Batavia)
Asia Brown (Jr., Lincoln-Way East/ Illinois Elite)
Kayla Hylton (Jr., Lincoln-Way North/ Illinois Elite)
Alexis Pierre-Antoine (Jr., Lincoln-Way East/ Illinois Elite)
Willow Studeman (Jr., Seneca/Illinois Elite)
Kendall Wallace (Jr., Lincoln-Way East/Illinois Elite)
Maya Neal (Sr., Neuqua Valley)
400m-
Asia Brown
Emma Griffiths (Sr., Providence Catholic/Illinois Elite)
Willow Stuedemann
800m-
Cassie Mundekis (Sr., Midwest Central)
Angela Kerndl (Sr., Glenbard East)
60HH-
Alexis Pierre-Antoine (Jr., Lincoln-Way East/Illinois Elite)
Boys-
200m-
Aaron Harris (Jr., Lisle/Aurora Flyers)
Johnathan Stokes (Sr., North Lawndale Prep/Legacy Runners)
400m-
Aaron Harris
60HH-
Tyler Kirkwood (Jr., Waubonsie Valley/Aurora Flyers)
4x400-
Cahokia
4x800-
Cahokia
HJ-
Tyler Kirkwood
Anthony McRoberts (Sr., Cahokia)
TJ-
Ja'mari Ward (Jr., Cahokia)
Ben Barnes (Sr., Kaneland)
LJ-
Ja'mari Ward (Jr., Cahokia)
Ben Barnes (Sr., Kaneland)
AAU Northern Illinois National Indoor Championship
National Pole Vault Summit (Reno)
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Ahh… the climes outside were not right according to native Louisiana native Tommy Badon. “If we had this kind of weather like you do outside, we wouldn't know what to do," said the Lafayette Christian Academy coach who was a clinic presenter. I think his point was that he was amazed to see over 870 attendees inside the cozy Oak Park-River Forest High School. This speaks to the strength of the Illinois coaching brethren.
For me, it was great seeing so many coaches after a nice break between the cross country and track season. I mean among the hundreds in the brotherhood/sisterhood that I touched base with, it was a joy to see the ITCCCA President Mike Stokes, clinic directors Jim Aikens and Jim Miks. It was also great seeing hall of fame inductee Tony Holler in his dapper suit. If I wanted to I could probably fill out this Take with tons more names. So if you are reading this and ran into me, it was great seeing you at the clinic!
We at MileSplit Illinois have some footage of the clinic and we intend on publishing it soon!
*Finally.... congrats to the little homie Jesse Reiser (Sr., McHenry) for winning the Illinois Gatorade Cross Country athlete of the year. Here is his story: Jesse Reiser- Gatorade