-The 64th Annual Ted Haydon Holiday Classic of course was held inside of the legendary Henry Crown Field House. The meet was the first of its kind to host the first competition of the 2017 indoor season for many athletes in the Chicagoland area. With snow and temperatures hovering well before the freezing Mercury, it was a delight to be inside to watch or compete in a track meet.
Key highlights:
Jaimie Robinson (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) came with a goal to "get in some work" but ended up stealing the show even if it was on a subliminal level. She entered in the triple jump for the first time this year and she did it on a shorter approach than usual. The plan was to get in a few attempts and work several different phases of her jumps. The end result was a lovely meet record US #2 40'6". She was not done though. She would ease over to the track to work on her speed game. Don't get it twisted now. Robinson has become a title contender in the flat events. Robinson took second to a surging junior named Nya Carr from Buffalo Grove. Carr showed tremendous poise from an intense field winning in 7.79-7.81 over Robinson. Robinson extracted revenge on the field about 25 minutes later in the 200m with a lightening fast 25.43 on a tight flat surface that is Henry Crown.
Breanna Phillips (Sr., Ft. Wayne Northrup IN) trekked in from the northwest globe of Indiana and made off like a bandit. The University of Pittsburgh signee and all-state Hoosier won the 400 and high jump titles. Phillips, who placed third in the Indiana state meet a year ago, closed in on her personal best in the HJ with a leap of US#9 5'5". Later in the 400, it was over quickly at the first circuit. She won by several meters in 59.07. Watch for Phillips later on this indoor season to really take off.
Kristen LaCosse (Sr., Crown Point IN) has been a master over the hurdles for several years now. She got in some quality work with relays, the 400, and finally winning the 60HH in 8.87. It is early but the U of Hawaii bound LaCosse is getting ready for a great season.
The boys 60m final was a blur at the ground floor action as told by photographer Angela Kerndl
Boys-
Brad Garron (Sr., Evanston) is going to be a force in whatever event he chooses. The state runner up in the 400 clocked 47.77 a year ago. This time he got in the 200 and turned the jets on the field out of lane one and looked smooth as ice clocking 22.99.
Ben Thoms (Sr., Plainfield South) out of nowhere with a big personal best 60HH win and US #11 8.54.
Romell Clark (Sr., Chicago Dunbar) may be the next great Public League speed king this season. Clark won a close race with a rocking 7.02 good for US #10.
David Oluyadi (Sr., Chicago Lane Tech) did not have his best day but still won the triple jump with a respectable 44'11". He placed second in the long jump earlier in the meet.
Jaimie Marcos (Sr., Chicago Von Steuben) won the high school portion of the mile in 4:31.14