2016 Class A Girls Pre-Season Sprints & Hurdles Preview

Courtney Sockwell could change the dynamic of high school track and field if she competes for her school this season (Stockwell photo credit)

What do you think are the bread and butter of track and field are? If you guessed anything else but sprints, you are sadly mistaken. Despite our appetite for distance events, it is the fast items on the menu that win championships and get the fans turning and jumping out of their seats. This year's Class A crop of talent will be abundant as a ton of all-staters and emerging speedsters and hurdlers return.  It will be quite interesting to see how well the season transpires between now and May.


Events: 100m, 400m, 200m, 100H, 300H


Note: The rankings are based off of the top returning marks from the 2015 outdoor season and do not include wind-aided times.

100m-

2015 State Champion: Mariah Woods (Sr., South Holland Seton Academy) 12.36

Key returners: Woods, Jada Williams (Jr., Chicago Luther North), Isabella Newingham (Sr., Macon Meridian), Willow Stuedemann (Sr., Seneca), Courtney Sockwell (Jr., Rockford Christian Life) 

Outlook: Mariah Woods came through last year in what some termed an "upset" over Natasha Brown of Aurora Christian. That win should have been a surprise since Woods took the indoor 60m crown at Illinois Top Times. The undercover dash crown is usually an indicator for future success outdoors. The fastest time of the season actually came void of the IHSA season via Courtney Sockwell. Strangely, she burned the track on the AAU and USATF circuits and not through the high school season for which she did not compete for last year. Sockwell has again started her season competing for the Illinois Jets. If she can get on the IHSA schedule this spring the outlook may change for the classification.

Top marks from 2015-


400m-

2015 State Champion: Amanda McClain (Sr., Sullivan) 55.18

Key returners: Madison Meyer (Jr., Carterville), Willow Studemann (Sr., Seneca), Edoise Omoike (So., Lisle), Jorji Sparrgrove (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Megan Reed (Sr., Cambridge), Sophie Keith (Sr., Pinckneyville), Audrey Harrod (Jr., Hinckley Big Rock)

Outlook: This classification has produced some outstanding quarter-milers over the past several year. Two-time defending champion Amanda McClain snatched the state meet record before dashing over to Illinois State University. Fourth place state finisher from last year Sophie Keith should duel Audrey Harrod and Maddi Meyer for top honors this season.

Top times from 2015-