Midwest Prep Invitational Proves True Once Again For Competitors

Avon IN junior Katy Smith competed in the 400m (photo by Kaylee Kerr)


VIDEOS

MEET RESULTS

The Midwest Prep Invitational has been a staple for track and field in Indiana for many years. At one time it was held downtown at the fabled IUPUI Stadium. The event was moved to Lawrence Central High School over the years and over time the dynamics of the meet has changed. MWP has attracted teams from surrounding states which included Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and of course Illinois. Illinois teams and individuals more than ever before have trekked away from the cold weather meets that a bad tempered April blasts the state with. Indianapolis for the most part has become a mid-season destination for a large Illinois contingent. The performances were good and of course it was a great time.

Girls-

-Jenny Kimbro (Sr., Jamaica Salt Fork) for the second year in a row came to Indy and conquered her foes. Kimbro started her long day with an appearance in the long jump. The University of Iowa signee picked up a sixth place medal jumping a season best 17-1. But it would be the hurdles that Kimbro shined in. The wind would pose a slight adversary to performances. The wind gauge read minus readings throughout the preliminary rounds. Kimbro set the tone in the first heat with a solid 15.15 clocking. The final was even better despite a -3.3 wind reading as she bust the 100HH field in 15.01. One of Kimbro's victims was long jump champion Gracie Heeb (Sr., Bloomington North IN). Heeb was close over the first several barriers but bowed and took second in 15.21.

In between Kimbro winning the short hurdles was the exploits of seniors Gabby Desrosiers (Chicago North Lawndale) and Kierra Griggs (Chicago Heights Bloom Township). Desrosiers is one of the top sprinters in Illinois and she came to Indy to get in a full workload. After dominating the 100m prelims she was ready for the final. Desrosiers block start has improved mightily since the beginning of indoor season. So it wasn't much of a surprise that Desroisers dashed away from the field in 12.26. Griggs nipped Tates Creek KY freshman Rosalynd Hollingsworth 12.66-12.67.

Griggs returned later in her favored 400m. The pre-hyped battle against Desroisers lived up to the billing for the first 300 as the two stallions broke away from the pack and dashed shoulder to shoulder. Griggs' determination and speed endurance proved too strong for Desrosiers and she pulled away easily in 55.68. Griggs barely missed the meet record but she did pick up the state's #1 mark... Desrosiers was not happy losing in the 400 and took revenge in the 200 with an IL #3/IL #1 wind legal 24.82 sizzler. The pronounced victory was nearly a second faster than runner-up Heritage Christian IN senior Isabel Bradley who ran 25.73.

Kimbro finished her day in perhaps one of the most anticipated races against former Barrington star Addison Coy. Coy now competes Culver Academy IL. Kimbro's favorite event is the 300H and many people in attendance did not know she competed less than 12 hours before in Tuscola IL. But any sign of tired legs did not show up from the moment the starter's pistol fired. Kimbro got out well on the field and despite a few stride pattern issues at hurdles #3 and #6 she was in control. Coy was able to stay in contention and kept the race respectable. Kimbro won in a state best 43.17 opposed to Coy's Indiana top time of 43.57. "I had a little trouble studdering over a few hurdles," said Kimbro. "I hope to better all of my times from last year," Kimbro added who has a personal best 42.75. 

Tates Creek traveled a long way from Lexington  KY  and won the 4x1 relay in a blazing 48.48. The performance was one of the fastest in meet history appeared to stun a sun stoked crowd at LC.

Indy Bishop Chartard won the 4x4 in the final 20 meters passing a fading Bloom Twp and holding off Carmel IN clocking 4:03.34.

Madison Kiser (Jr., Pioneer IN) proved why she is one of the best 800m runners in the Midwest successfully defending her crown running 2:15.67.

Katie Isenbarger (So., Zionsville) won the high jump in a US #16. She would later attempt 5-10 which would have put her inside the top 10 nationally.

Jashaun Steward of Proviso West finished 4th in the long jump (Tony Jones photo)

Boys-

Jeremiah Davis (Chicago Collins) is on a quest in his final high school season to win a state title or two. Davis moved one step closer when he won the 100 and finished third in the 200. The Century was negotiated in 11.08 and the half lapper took 22.57. Both races were run into a head wind. The Century was especially harsh for Davis who easily won his favorite event. Davis ran a personal best 22.13 during the prelims.

Plainfield IN senior Jake Maple had a banner day earning personal bests in winning the 400 and 200. Maple was the only athlete to break 50 seconds with a good 49.98. He returned 90 minutes later to upset the field in the 200 to record a 22.28. Maple would complete the deal anchoring his team's 4x4 with a come from behind victory that took 3:24.70.

The long jump was a thriller as Eric Burns of Culver Academy IN needed his final attempt to defeat Tates Creek KY senior Robbie Lofton. Lofton had led throughout the competition with a 23-0 from the second round. However, Burns leaped 23-8.25 to steal the victory.

Antonio Davis (Jr., Bloom Twp) surprised everyone but himself in the 800m. Davis won in a big personal best 1:55.84. "Antonio has always the ability to run fast," said his coach Jeff Timms. "Once he gets it in his head that he can great he will be tough to beat."

Proviso West defended their 4x1 title taking the speedy event on the final leg clocking 43.13.