Jenny Kimbro was a double winner in the hurdles (Tony Jones photo)
The annual pilgrimage to Indianapolis, Indiana for several of the Prairie state's top emerging teams and athletes was well worth the time and effort in making the trip a success. For example, Hillside Proviso West head coach Johnny Jenkins was looking for a quality meet to add to his outdoor schedule at the beginning of the season. "We need like one or two more meets added on to our schedule," he said back in January. When it was suggested that getting into good meets are hard to come by so late in the calendar, Jenkins offered: "man, I will travel out of state if I have to." Thus the Midwest Prep with its registration friendly process made the connection with Proviso West an easy choice.
The weather conditions were also a welcome sight for the visitors who often compete in a climate less than ideal this time of the year. The mercury reached as high as 80F in the Indy metro area and the real feel was certainly in the mid 80s with very little wind in sight. Needless to say it was a recipe for quality performances all round the board.
Key performances-
[Girls]
- Jenny Kimbro (Jamaica Salt Fork) came to Indianapolis on a quest to make herself the best hurdler in the game. Kimbro ran in a low-key meet Friday night at Unity as preparation for the upcoming state championship. Friday was used a prelim. So does that mean Saturday was the walk through for the finals? "Yes it is," said Kimbro. Kimbro started her morning competing in the long jump where she took all six of her jumps and earned a second place medal. Next up was the 100H prelims and she produced the top time of 14.78. The final would duplicate itself as Kimbro easily ran and hid from her competitors in 14.52. It was not a season best but would be good for IL #3 if it was. Kimbro ended her day by winning the 300H in 44.27. Kimbro lost her steps on hurdle #3 and had to switch legs go over on her left lead leg. "The last time I went over on my left leg was in junior high school," Kimbro stated. Remy Amarteifio (Evanston) took second in a distant 14.86... Abby Nicholson made the trip with her teammate Kimbro won the discus (121-6) and took second in the shot put (37-0).
- Bloom Township: Kierra Griggs (Jr., Chicago Heights Bloom Twp.) continues to emerge and impress in pressure situations. Griggs stormed out of the blocks aggressively like a 400m runner is suppose to do in the first 100-150 of the race. Griggs would go on to win with a fine time of 57.75. Griggs also greatly assisted her teammates in the 4x4 relay. Griggs led off with a speedy 56.7 to break things open; the Trojans were not seriously challenged as they won in 3:56.86 [56.6/59.5/59.1/60.7).... freshman Hannah Morris is going to be a great jumper once cleans up some technical flaws. Still she was able to leap 17-8.75 for the victory.
- Evanston did not have a particularly good day at the office but there were a few standout performances on the track. The Wildkits placed 2nd in the 4x100 relay running 49.77. Genora Garcia won the shot put with a toss of 39-9.
The Proviso West crew chilling after producing an excellent meet. (ony Jones image)
[Boys]
It has been a while since Proviso West made some serious noise in a meet. The Panthers made the most of their opportunities in the field and on the track. Senior Jamante Steward set the tempo by winning the high jump (6-8). Junior JaShawn Steward and and Senior Louis Brown Sr. placed 3rd and 4th in the long jump with state standard 22-7 and 22-4 marks. The Panthers later won the 4x1 in a season best 42.82. The handoffs were adequate as the quartet got the stick around the track. Anchor Julienne Miller had to make up a 5-meter deficit and he did in fine fashion.... Thornton Fractional North and Bloom Township turned in a few solid performances.