Imani Carothers is the absolute best short hurdler in Illinois and one of the elite in the USA
100HH-
2016 State Champion: Imani Carothers (Jr., Chicago Brooks) 13.92 [+2.4]
Key returners: Imani Carothers, Laqwasia Stepney (So., Cahokia), Dontavia Howard (Sr., Springfield SE), Tiarra Smith (Jr., Peoria Richwoods), Victoria Ignacik (Jr., Ridgewood), Jordyn Bunning (Jr., Vernon Hills)
Outlook: Imani Carothers may have overshadowed herself a bit because of her domination in the jumping pits. But the truth of the matter is the short hurdles race is Carothers best event. The competitiveness in Carothers will not allow her to be content with being the 21st best hurdler in the country. She will strive for more. Overall, this is going to be a very strong event as six of the top 10 are back in the fold. LaQwasia Stepney may be the next standout athlete for Cahokia. After placing 5th in state last year as a freshman, she will be counted on as a vital piece in the Lady Comanches repeat title hopes. Tiarra Smith is the next top state placer behind Carothers and she is not a fluke. So as you can see it is going to be a great year in this event in 2017.
Top returning performances-
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.92 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 14.59 | 2019 | |||
| 3 | 14.70 | 2017 | |||
| 4 | 14.73 | 2018 | |||
| 5 | 14.89 | 2018 |
The passionate Jade' Mayes finishing second in the state meet last year
300IH-
2016 State Champion: Grace Cronin (Oak Park Fenwick) 42.91
Key returners: Jade' Mayes (Sr., Chicago Westinghouse), Jordyn Bunning (Jr., Vernon Hills), Sarah Georgieff (Jr., Dunlap), Takyra Buford (Sr., Cahokia), Dontavia Howard (Sr., Springfield Southeast), Syd Heidtke (So., Woodstock), Sarah Georgieff (Jr., Dunlap), Shanise Reece (Sr., Freeport)
Outlook: 300 hurdles as a whole is the weakest event in Illinois. For some reason the blueprint that the iconic figure known as Shamier Little left was not picked up by the coaches. There are enough fast kids in the flat races who can develop into a long hurdler. Strategically, it is a good way to obtain and determine success as a team in the late going of a meet. If there is a silver lining here understand that 5 of the top 10 returning long hurdlers are in this classification. The top two returners in Illinois are Jade' Mayes and Jordyn Bunning. Mayes endured a tough battle with Grace Cronin all the way till the end of the state meet. Bunning took third. Unless someone else is added along the season it will be Mayes and Bunning ruling this season.
Top returning performances in 2016-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44.10 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 44.66 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 45.24 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 45.35 | 2017 | ||
| 5 | 45.49 | 2019 | ||
| 6 | 45.86 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 45.91 | 2018 |