Katie Schroeder of Grayslake Central will be aiming high in the Pole Vault this season (Colin Boyle photo)
Pole Vault-
2015 State Champion: Julia Junkroski (Lincoln-Way East) 13-2
Outlook: 2015 was a great year for the pole vault with so many competitive girls in contention to clear 12-0. The state champion Julia Junkroski nearly got the state meet record which would have been 13-4. 2016 on the surface appears to be a bit different with just one girl at 12-0. Katie Schroeder cleared 12-3 indoors a season ago but missed the state final outside. She will be motivated to get back to Charleston and beyond this season. A few girls plan to breathe heavy down her back. Nikki Ogorek hails from the pole vault rich area where the Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club manifests itself. She will be a 12-foot candidate along with Ali Munson.
Top returning vaulters in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12-0 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 11-9 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 11-9 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 11-6 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 11-6 | 2016 | ||
| 6 | 11-5 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 11-0 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 11-0 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 11-0 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 11-0 | 2016 |
Long Jump-
2015 State Champion: Briana Driver (Chicago Mother McAuley) 19-7 [2.2]
Outlook: Look for another explosive year in the LJ led by Lajarvia Brown who improved mightily in her secondary event over the past summer. She won the Southwest Classic and AAU National title with a renewed approach. The sky is now the limit for Brown who will undoubtedly get into the 20-foot range this year. As for the rest of the field, things are looking upward despite only five state returners back. There are nine girls who leaped over 18-feet returning if you include transfer Jaimie Robinson. The state runner up Sade Akinfe is back and now looks to be an underdog with the emergence of Brown, Robinson on the scene, and Emelie Burris is back with a monster like 18-11 on her resume. But kids freeze up in the long jump more than any other field event sometimes. So anything can happen when the pressure gets tight.
Top Returners in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19-6.25 | 0.8 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 18-11.5 | 2016 | |||
| 3 | 18-9.75 | 0.0 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 18-9 | 2016 | |||
| 5 | 18-3 | 2018 | |||
| 6 | 18-1.75 | 2016 | |||
| 7 | 18-0.75 | 2016 | |||
| 8 | 17-10 | 2016 | |||
| 8 | 17-10 | 2016 |
High Jump-
2015 State Champion: Emma Haugen (Lyons Township) 5-9
Outlook: An overcrowded field due to a deep cast in which 19 girls hit the state finals automatic qualifying mark of 5-3 to compete on Saturday, It made for a long day on the hot run way down at Eastern Illinois University. When the winner finally emerged it was Emma Haugen who won her third career state championship. She is now at the University of Wisconsin competing. It could very well be the Ololade Ayoola era for the next two seasons if she chooses. Ayoola spent a good chunk of time on the shelf last spring with an injury. In addition, she is one of the top all purpose sprinters who is a key element in Lincoln-Way East's plans in dominating the track- particularly the relays. So, if the "novice" Ayoola decides to commit fully here, it will be a long year for her opponents.... Jelena Rowe has the second best mark behind leader Jes Skudlarek. Rowe fell to eighth at state and that did not sit well with her. Jaida Green placed third in state and she will be a force too.
Top returners in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-8 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 5-6 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 5-6 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 5-6 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 5-5 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 5-5 | 2017 | ||
| 5 | 5-5 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 5-5 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 5-5 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 5-5 | 2016 |