It will be "Go Time" for the state's 100m leader Dominique Lewis (middle) and many other competitors this weekend (Colin Boyle photo)
As always the 2A classification is the hardest to figure out. But fortunately the preliminary round will sort things out well. The action at O'Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University will take place Friday morning with the field events slated to go off at 8am. The track events will commence at 9am.
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A lot of questions will be answered on Friday-
Let's start with sprints:
- Dominique Lewis (Sr., Champaign Centennial) is the overall state leader in the Century at 11.78 which she has held on to since the very beginning of the outdoor campaign. Lewis is also the sectional leader with a 12.12 mark. She will finally meet her match in her strong suit as fellow senior Anna Sloan of River Forest Trinity comes to town sporting a swift 12.15 time of her own. Anyone who closely follows the 100m knows that it is a crap shoot event. All it takes from going from G.O.A.T. to goat is a false start, slip in the blocks, or a bad start. Hopefully, we will all get the classification dream match ups we have all been patiently waiting for. Other faces in contention for top five considerations include Mariya Hudson (So., Cahokia), Jenniba Johnson (Sr., Triad), and the Chicago Morgan Park duo featuring freshman Jada Laye and senior Kelsie Prear.
- The 400m should be a clear cut event if Mariya Hudson can strike fear in her opponents from the gun like she last year in route to a dominating victory. Hudson emerged after a low-key indoor season to 56.99 to lead all sectional entrants. But her season best of 56.24 is just off of the high 55s that he ran at this time last year. Allie Heinzer (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland) has emerged out of nowhere to run 57.49. She may be in position to move into a runner-up spot. Keep your scorecard clean for Karina Liz (Jr., Aurora Central Catholic), Deven Bax (Sr., New Lenox Lincoln-Way West), and Gabrielle DesRosiers (Jr., Chicago North Lawndale). DesRosiers is the younger sister of last year's star sprinter Briyanhna DesRosiers who is now at Texas A&M.
- Defending state 300H champion Chante Stonewall (Jr., Normal University) may have a clear path in repeating now that former competitor Grace Cronin (Sr., Oak Park Fenwick) has taken her talents to 3A. Stonewall leads her fellow entrants by two seconds at 44.37.
- The 200m field is flooded with good talent when you consider the likes of Tyjuana Eason (Sr., Kankakee), Anna Sloan, Dominique Lewis, Jada Laye, Mariya Hudson, and a newcomer to the scene named Tina Martin (Fr., Decatur Eisenhower). Martin upset Lewis with ease last weekend at the sectional round.
- Just like her teammate Mariya Hudson, Rayneshia Lewis (Jr., Cahokia) has come out of hibernation at the right time. Lewis played basketball during the winter and part of the indoor season. Then she fell victim to a foot injury that kept her at bay. But it is go time and when she laid down a 14.51 time in the 100HH it meant business. There is no Grace Cronin to worry about, only sweet redemption of clipping several hurdles in the middle of the track that resulted in a last place finish. Chante Stonewall should provide vital competition should she make the final.
Distance:
- 3200: Maryjeanne! Maryjeanne! Maryjeanne! The Peoria Notre Dame junior Maryjeanne Gilbert may hear such chants through out the O'Brien stadium if she performs anywhere near last fall's cross country season. Gilbert arguably had the second best season in IHSA history last November running 16:12 for three miles. She would later go on to earn All-American honors at the Footlocker National Championship placing 12th. Let's just say second place is up for grabs.
- 800: No offense but it will be hard for anyone to stop defending state champion Karina Liz. Even if Liz decides to go after a berth in the 400m final, she will be unstoppable. The state has been waiting for the next girl to dip under 2:10 and Liz is the person accomplish such a feat. But all athletes need some type of competition to make big things happen. Unfortunately, the closest anyone is to the Liz's whopping 2:11.80 is Noelle Espino (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland) at 2:17.24.
- 1600: Maryjeanne again in this one and she should get under 5:00 for the first time in her career. Aurora (Rosary) teammates Emily Martin (Sr.) and Madison Ronzone (Jr.) enjoyed good indoor seasons and now are having even better outdoor campaigns. Don't be surprised if they go out and try to neutralize Gilbert.
Relays:
- 4x800: Lombard Montini won the indoor crown at Illinois Top Times and will be among the favorites of a balance list of teams with times in the late 9:30s and early 9:40s. Sterling has the top time of 9:35.65 which happens to be the best mark this spring. Normal University, Rockford Boylan, Dunlap, and last year's champion Washington will be heard from this weekend.
- 4x100: Chicago Morgan Park has a storied history in this event in that they were once all-time record holders and using this event to fire start themselves to many state team trophy crowns. It could happen again. The Mustangs appear to have emerged into a title contender with the classifications top time of 48.35. They also have the top time from the sectional round. Springfield Southeast ran 48.85 and Kankakee 48.87. Handoffs will be crucial for these titans if they hope to move on and gain big points.
- 4x200: Springfield Southeast has owned this event since the addition of three classes in 2009. They have set several classification records as well. It appears as though the Lady Spartans are ready to roll fast times ago. Morgan Park, Rich South, Clinton, and Galesburg are ready to chase.
- 4x400: Everybody's favorite will be nothing short of exciting and a welcome sight of a long day. Morgan Park has to be considered the favorite. The Mustangs ran 3:56.89 this year- fastest in 2A by nearly four seconds. Galesburg will be out to not only make the final but put some pressure on Morgan Park. Springfield Southeast and Kaneland will be in the hunt as well.
Field:
- Long Jump: Alison Woerner (So., Chatham-Glenwood) has the sectional best but can the little known Woerner hold up against a veteran like Mariya Hudson and a talented monster freshman named Imani Carothers from Chicago Brooks?
- Pole Vault: Only two names that you need to worry about: Kassadee Ifft (Jr., Prairie Central) and Claire Buck (Sr., Troy Triad)
- High Jump: The junior trio of Jamari Drake and Lunden Henry has led Springfield Southeast through out the season clearing heights over 5-6 on a consistent basis.
- Discus Throw: Christina Meinhardt (Sr.. Wauconda) and Taylor Schwarz (Fr., Dixon)
- Shot Put: Schwarz should have a close battle with Latavia Maines (So., Centralia). Both young ladies have season bests in the low 40-foot range.
- Triple Jump: Jaimie Robinson (So., Chicago De La Salle)- The legal wind state leader is favored to win her first title. The daughter of former NBA star Glenn Robinson relies on more than natural born talent when she jumps. She has great technique and a strong work ethic. These are crucial ingredients in being a great triple jumper. Vicky Gruszka (Jr., Peoria Notre Dame) and Sierra Brown (Jr., River Forest Trinity) will provide some excitement to the event.