Jenny Kimbro will be a major force in the hurdles and flat races this season (photo courtesy of the The Daily Eastern)
200m-
2015 State Champion: Amanda McClain 25.32 [-2.2]
Key returners: Jenny Kimbro (Sr., Jamaica), Erika Zimmerlein (Sr., Amboy), Annie Carlson (Sr., Westmont), Mariah Woods, Briana Meinders (Jr., Stark County), Isabella Newingham, Kenzie Baker (Jr., Mercer County), Willow Stuedemann (Sr., Seneca), Zakila Wiskirchen (So., Camp Point Central), Michaela Gronewold (Sr., Illini West), Courtney Stockwell
Outlook: McClain finished her great career with an epic win over Brown. The deep returning field will be up for grabs. Hurdle specialist Jenny Kimbro is the favorite on paper based on time and place at state. Kimbro may again produce one of the fastest marks but stick with the hurdles. Woods and Stockwell could meet somewhere down the line this year if not in the state final.
Top Times from 2015-
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25.32 | 2015 | |||
| 2 | 25.33 | 2015 | |||
| 3 | 25.34 | 2016 | |||
| 4 | 25.54 | 2017 | |||
| 5 | 25.55 | 2015 | |||
| 6 | 25.58 | 2016 | |||
| 7 | 25.69 | 2015 | |||
| 8 | 25.80 | 2016 | |||
| 9 | 25.81 | 2017 | |||
| 10 | 25.90 | 2015 |
100HH-
2015 State Champion: Jenny Kimbro (Jr., Jamaica Sidell) 14.23 [+1.8]
Key returners: Kimbro, Annie Carlson (Sr., Westmont), MaKayla Gayler (Sr., Oakwood), Alyssa Vignos (Jr., New Berlin), Amanda Schmidt (Jr., Gillespie), Cassie Meyer (Jr., Argenta- Oreana), Emery Podowicz (Jr., Clifton Central), McKendra Barthelme (Sr., Newton)
Outlook: The 1A record holder returns in Jenny Kimbro. Her 14.23 clocking was a legal mark and the second fastest in Illinois last year. There is no doubt that she will rule the short hurdles this season. Despite Kimbro being one of the nation's best and heads and shoulders above everyone, all eight state medalists return.
Top performers of 2015-
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.23 | 2016 | |||
| 2 | 15.03 | 2016 | |||
| 3 | 15.11 | 2016 | |||
| 4 | 15.44 | 2015 | |||
| 5 | 15.47 | 2017 | |||
| 6 | 15.64 | 2015 | |||
| 7 | 15.70 | 2017 | |||
| 7 | 15.70 | 2017 | |||
| 9 | 15.72 | 2016 |
300IH-
2015 State Champion: Jenny Kimbro 42.75
Key returners: Kimbro, Annie Carlson, Emery Podowicz (Jr., Clifton Central), Clare Peters (Sr., Clifton Central), Cora Wilkinson (Jr., Seneca)
Outlook: The best hurdler in all of Illinois is Jenny Kimbro. She will remain as such in her best event. Although she has a slight favorite in the shorter race, Kimbro will make her bread in the longer stuff when she goes off to college. We have see our first sub 42-second race in a few seasons from Kimbro.
Top Times from 2015-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42.75 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 44.60 | 2016 | ||
| 3 | 45.71 | 2015 | ||
| 4 | 46.10 | 2017 | ||
| 5 | 46.16 | 2016 | ||
| 6 | 46.64 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 46.67 | 2015 | ||
| 8 | 46.73 | 2015 | ||
| 9 | 46.84 | 2015 | ||
| 10 | 46.88 | 2015 |