The Lincoln-Way East girls trail blazing 4x4 quartet flanked by their coaches at U of Kentucky (D. Pierre-Antoine photo credit)
"We are going to do our talking with our feet on the track," was the paraphrased sentiments from Lincoln-Way East girls Coach Angelo Brown earlier in the week. The Lady Griffins are the two-time defending 3A state champions who hit the road for the first time this year as their official high school logo. The University of Kentucky hosted their annual high school invitational that traditionally draws teams and athletes from the southeastern part of the country. This year there were a great number of kids from the Northern sector of the Midwest like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio competing in Lexington.
University of Kentucky High School Invitational Meet Index-
Girls-
- If by now you haven't heard of the sophomore throwing sensation Kathleen "KD" Young of Warrensburg-Latham, you have been living under a rock. Young is building quite a resume in only her second year of high school. Young broke an ancient field house record that has stood since 1994; she actually made history on her first toss with a solid 46-6. Two throws later she landed a US#7 47-9.5. The mark made her the #5 performer all-time in Illinois indoor annals.
- Lincoln-Way East made the long road trip worth their while with some note worthy performances. Senior Julia Junkroski started things off by winning the pole vault 12-0. Junkroski has positioned herself as a key figure to win state in May. She also placed fourth in the high jump behind teammate sophomore Ololade Ayoola- both athletes cleared 5-5. Ayoola took second place on less misses.... junior Alexis Pierre-Antoine has continued her comeback campaign with a nice 8th place finish in the 60HH clocking 8.94. Her time is a personal best effort and the third fastest time in Illinois. Pierre-Antoine ran 25.54 for 200m later in the meet... lookie here: junior Kayla Hylton transferred from neighboring Lincoln-Way North to Lincoln-Way East. This transaction will no doubt be a cause of concern among the track and field community. It will also be controversial, but Hylton is not a stranger because of her long standing membership in the Illinois Elite Track Club. Hylton placed 12th in the 200 running 25.29... junior Asia Brown had a busy workload competing in the 200, 400, and 4x4. Her 58.27 time is the third best time in the state behind teammate Ayoola's 58.12... the most compelling mark for the Griffins was the 4x4 relay. The Griffins quartet easily won section two in 3:56.16- 57.6, 60.0, 59.7, 58.9. The squad featured Ayoola, Kyndall Wallace, Pierre-Antoine, and Brown. The time is a big time state best and US#16 mark; Lincoln-Way East are now a bona-fide dangerous team ready for a state three-peat in the face of state hate and some resistance back home. This will be good for competition and vitality of the sport for sure.
- Cassie Mundekis (Sr., Midwest Central) regained the state best in the 800m. It so happened that she was in the fastest race in the country and placed third behind US leader Ursula Farrow of Oak Park, Michigan who blazed to a 2:09.23. Mundekis played it smart by staying off the sizzling opening pace that Farrow set (59.6 at 400m). Cassie sat back in the pack and moved her way up after the first lap on the 291m oval. Her strength prevailed down the stretch in completing the run in 2:13.12. Mundekis now has the 12th fastest time in the USA.
- The multi-talented Maya Neal (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) competed in several events as usual that stretched throughout the day. The University of Tennessee signee placed fourth in the long jump (17-7), 60HH (8.85)- IL#1, 200m (26.14). Neal apparently ran out of gas in final event of the day according to her coach.
Boys-
- Belleville West was able get out of the St. Louis metro area safely ahead of very icy conditions that stymied meets and travel. E. St. Louis Sr. was not able to attend the meet for that very reason. Belleville West produced a few notable performances. The Maroons ran 3:31.49 in the 4x4 relay which is now the third best time in the state. Junior Deshawn Buchanon ran a 49.8 leg to aid his team's performance.... senior Ramon Stacker placed fourth in the triple jump leaping 43-8... St. Rita out of Chicago made an appearance too. Their most notable performance was that of senior hurdler Eric Walker who placed sixth in the 60HH. He clocked IL#2 8.30 and nabbed a national top 100 mark. It looks like the great coaching tips from legend Renaldo Nehemiah has paid off for the "Clout man."
- Finally it was the performance of senior Peyton Chapman of Bolingbrook. He captured the state best 1:56.94 in placing 9th overall. But he won section three in come from behind style. Chapman, who is a relative unknown despite qualifying for state last year in the 400m and running 2:00 several seasons ago. He may be a person to watch out for during the outdoor season.