Hannah Morris jumped in last year's Top Times meet
Event by event:
LJ: The state's top jumper Hannah Morris (Bloom) is back after suffering a hip injury. The junior standout got back on track last weekend on a final attempt at the U of I Gene Armer Invite 18-9. The performance series was not great but the boost to the confidence was. Jaimie Robinson (Homewood Flossmoor) is the only other performer over 19-feet here.
SP: The classification's top thrower is doing well after mending 2016 from a shoulder injury. Courtney Morgan (Metea Valley) is ready to pull away from Ellie Weltha (Bloomington) and crowded field that features 9 girls over 40 feet.
HJ: The USA #1 girl Jelena Rowe (Bloom) is ready for the big lights. She has cleared 6-feet on two occasions this season. The meet record of 5-10 has stood 24 years. It is time that Nora Weber's mark gets taken down.
TJ: Jaimie Robinson all day here. The All-American leads with an insane 41-8 which good for US #5. Cami Robinson (Waubonsie Valley) will attempt to emerge from a crowded pack.
PV: Lauren Seaver (Normal U High) is listed in 3A for the first time. No problem if true. She is listed as the 3rd best vaulter behind friend Nikki Ogorek (Normal Community). Both girls 12-4 and 12-0 marks are the only ones above 12 feet.
3200: Katelynne Hart (Glenbard West) is all you need to know here. The freshman star has been nothing short of amazing this undercover season. After several weeks away from this event it is time to put on a show. The 10:15.95 is US #1 for the metric distance and the meet record by Kayla Beattie is in trouble. The former Woodstock star ran 10:15.06.
60HH: There are no girls under 9.00 which means that a crowded field. The favorites appear to be Tykiaza Jones (Granite City), Kayla Walters (Bolingbrook), and Mya Robinson (Thornton). They all come in IL #5 at 9.14. Haile Bieber (Naperville North) has a converted 9.10.
60: Once again a crowded field will have to let the prelims sort things out. Ameia Wilson (Danville) has emerged as someone to watch outdoors but in the meantime has ripped her competition apart. Ozzy Erewele (Springfield) ran 7.68 recently and look for Nya Carr (Buffalo Grove) to get back on the scene. Lyn'Nikka Vance (Crete-Monee) comes from a famous running family. She beat Wilson last weekend at the Gene Armer Invite.
800: IL #2 Emma Moravec (Downers Grove North) will be in it to win. But a loaded field where the last performer has run 2:21 will not make things easy. Jenna Diers (Lincoln Way West) is a fast front runner and will set the tempo if allowed. Madison Marasco (Schaumburg) and the new found Rebecca Odulosa (Chicago Mather) have stepped up this season. This may be the event to watch!
400: Outdoor state champion Kylie Welch (Bloomington) will feel right at home here. She has the classification's best time at 57.34. Tamia Rayford (West Aurora) is strong as well.
1600: Hart will be back at it here. Though she will be the favorite the likes of Brooke Wilson (Prospect) will not make things easy for Hart. Claire Hamilton (Naperville North) has broken 5:00 along with the previous two. The slowest entry in the field is a solid 5:13.
200: Robinson, Wilson, Welch are the nanes that you need to know. That's all you need to know here.
4x800: The IL #1 Naperville North will be in the building. They are loaded and will go after the meet record set by Schaumburg a few years back. They may need some help but it will be hard with a field of 9:30 something squads. But this is Illinois and the #1 event is the 4x8.
4x200: Homewood Flossmoor is the favorite if Jaimie Robinson is on it. They Vikings are not a behind the pack team. They are frontrunners and they must get out. Transitioning is very important in a crowded field. There is talk of the meet record 1:40.83 being challenged. Not today.
4x400: A good field with Proviso West, Lincoln Way East, and Neuqua Valley entered. We may see a 4:00 clocking.
