2016 Class 3A Girls Pre-Season Sprints& Hurdles Preview

Let's not make any mistake about it.... unless something drastic happens, it is going to be the Dajour "Cinnamon" Miles era (Joy Johnson photo credit)

A great era of sprinting, particularly short speeding has come to an end. If you recall, it arguably started with "The Franchise" better known as Aaliyah Brown of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East). Brown can on the scene as a well decorated veteran of the youth track and field arena in 2010. Right away as a freshman she made her presence known among the so-called entitled holdovers from Alexandria Anderson (Morgan Park) and Shalina Clarke (Evanston) time frame. But it was Brown and her followers that we really began to see Illinois girls gain the respect nationally and take off. One final disciple of that era was a fellow pre-high school hyped up girl named Brittny Ellis. Ellis did more than live up to the hype as she won the triple crown her senior year for Warren Township High School. 

Now we usher in perhaps a new era with Dajour Miles of Aurora (Waubonsie Valley). Miles may be in line as the best to ever come in high school. She has already put up marks as an eighth grader that would rival the state history books: 100 (11.91), 200 (24.10), 400 (54.81). In addition her guidance comes via the craft workmanship of the great Thomas Boatright who runs the Aurora Flyers Track Club. Boatright will now release his ace from the coop.

100m-

2015 State Champion: Brittny Ellis (Gurnee Warren) 11.85 [+1.4]

Outlook: Just how will things look after the graduation of Ellis here? With five returners from last year's final and a slew of unknowns it should not take very long to find out. For example, a name that you may be familiar with in the name of Kayla Hylton is back on the scene after missing the entire 2015 IHSA season due to transfer rules. Hylton last officially ran for the soon to be closed Lincoln Way North in 2014. So far during the indoor campaign she has ran a 7.65 60m- good for #1 in Illinois. What else does an already loaded Lincoln-Way East program need to fuel the haters? Hylton's top notched teammate Asia Brown is the younger sister of Aaliyah Brown. Asia established herself as one of the elite speedsters in Illinois a season ago clocking 11.86. Brown's mark is the fastest among the classification's returners, and her sixth place in the Century final is third best. the Chicago Public League's next great speedster Amira Young is a very promising speedster who should have more octane in the tank for the upcoming season. According to sources, Young took a break from summer track to rest up mentally and physically. The need to be in tip top shape is a must now that Dajour Miles is on the scene. This may be her vulnerable event but even so any a handful of girls statewide can boast of ever breaking 12.00. Miles will come in rated #2 among all classification returners.

Be on the prowl for relay leg specialist who placed seventh in the state final a year ago in Emelia Burris. The Illinois State University signee and fifth placer D'Jenne Egharevba was close to 12.00 last year. She will add much needed depth to the Century. Also keep an eye on the future of "Capitol City" sprinting known as Ozzy Erewele. The southern section will be hoisted by Tamya Houston, another relay holdover who shined as a freshman.

Top returners for 2016-

*Complete List

400m-

2015 State Champion :Brittny Ellis 54.19

Outlook: Brittny Ellis leaves behind a great legacy of course. She also leaves behind seven all-staters ready to shine on their own. It should not be a surprise to those who follow this event will see that four of the top five returners come from the labs of the Aurora Flyers. Samara Miller is a perfect example of hard ward and patience. Miller went from 57.72 down to 55.12. Morgan Harris is Miller's summer club teammate. They bonded together to run a smoking time of 3:39. 

Kierra Griggs is a standout long sprinter who is quickly emerging into one of the elite relay closers in the game. She is tall and exciting to watch especially during indoors on a small track. Griggs will be a great performer on the next level for sure. Charlyncia Stennis is a reigning state champion in the 4x1 relay. Her reputation in helping beat Lincoln-Way East seemed bigger than individual accolades. Stennis' relay mates have graduated and the immediate future is to concentrate on the 400m.

The person of note of course is Dajour Miles. The Waubonsie Valley freshman has beaten all of the previous names- dominated some of them through the Aurora Flyers Track Club practices and scrimmages. So no returner will or should take offense when "Cinnamon" enters the scene. It is hard to argue against 54.81. Numbers don't lie. 

Tara Smart (Sr., New Trier) has been a roll during the indoor season, running the fastest time so far in 57.96. Kameesha Smith, Delaney Basala and newly minted University of Iowa signee Tashee Hargrave are key athletes to watch for.

Top returners in 2016-

*Complete List