If we get the Hannah Morris of two seasons ago, her foes had better watch out! (Colin Boyle photo)
Long Jump-
2017 State Champion: Jaimie Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor) 19-10.5 [NWI]
Key Returners: Hannah Morris (Bloom Twp.), Ameia Wilson (Jr., Danville), Isabel Maletich (Sr., Downers Grove North), Lyn'Nikka Vance (Jr., Crete-Monee), Maddie Manganiello (Sr., Downers Grove South), Nya Carr (Sr., Buffalo Grove), Isabelle Kennedy (Sr., Lake Park)
Season Outlook: On the surface this event does not have the championship pedigree that it has grown accustomed to. It is true that superstar Jaimie Robinson and six other high caliber athletes have graduated and moved on. But there is a strong returning lot to consider. The queen of the long jump two seasons ago Hannah Morris leaped 20-feet as a sophomore before enduring a spotty junior season due to injury. Still she was able to jump 19-6. The plan is for her to get back in the 20-foot club and on to the national stage. Others such as Ameia Wilson, Lyn'Nikka Vance and Nya Carr are speed technicians capable of dropping big marks anytime out. Technical jumpers such as Isabel Maletich, Isabelle Kennedy add the complete formula to the popular event.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19-6 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 18-11.25 | 2019 | |||
| 3 | 18-7.25 | 2018 | |||
| 4 | 18-7 | 2018 | |||
| 5 | 18-6 | 2018 |
This event has an opportunity to show some tremendous improvement (Tracy Burmester photo)
Pole Vault-
2017 State Champion: Ali Munson (Lisle Benet Academy) 12-3
Key Returners: Brooke Misukonis (Bloomington), Cierra Kuipers (Kaneland), Maggie Schutte (Quincy), Jess Streepy (Palatine), Kelli Zehnder (Lake Park), Taylor Ferguson (Belvidere North)
Season Outlook: The bad news first. This event has dropped in strength at the 3A level over the past several years and the best vaulters really do exist in 2A and 1A. Mass graduation in 2017 has hit the event harder than ever last season. Now the good news. There are two 12-footers back in Cierra Kuipers and Brooke Misukonis. Kuipers moves in from 2A where she was an all-state performer for the Knights. Her steady improvement throughout the years is very encouraging. Misukonis was the state runner up in 2017 and there is only one way to go from here. Misukonis' lowest finish of the season was a 5th place effort at the Bloomington Intercity Classic. A valid argument could be made that the Normal-Bloomington area is pole vault central. If one can medal in this fierce jungle, the state championship in itself is a piece of cake.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12-0 | 2018 | ||
| 1 | 12-0 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 11-3 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 11-3 | 2019 | ||
| 5 | 11-0 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 11-0 | 2018 |
Is Katie Mans ready to be the best high jumper in the state of Illinois? (Riverbender.com photo credit)
High Jump-
2017 State Champion: Jelena Rowe (Chicago Heights Bloom Twp.) 6-0
Key Returners: Katie Mans (Alton), Tabor Gleason (Cary-Grove), Jenna Pauly (McHenry), Grace Daun (Wauconda), Emma Fink (Lyons Twp), Alessia Olhava (Hersey), Mckenzie Krich (Huntley),
Season Outlook: It was a magical season in 2017 led by the historical feats by Jelena Rowe who set records all over the globe. From indoor high jump queen to Pan-Am Juniors Silver medalist, it was the best ever effort from an Illinois girl in the high jump. Where do we go from here? Katie Mans has been among the greats of her era where she has earned some accolades. But Mans has a goal to do more. "My goal this year is to become a better high jumper not just physically but mentally," she said. "Getting to Charleston is always the top thing on my list but this year. I want to be the last one standing at Charleston. It is going to be my last time as a high school athlete on the big blue track and I want to make my mark."
Top returning performers:
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-7 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 5-6 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 5-5 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 5-5 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 5-5 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 5-5 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 5-5 | 2018 |
Shot Put-
2017 State Champion: Courtney Morgan (Aurora Metea Valley) 46-3
Key Returners: Jasmine Mitchell (Jr., Thornwood), Ellie Weltha (Sr., Bloomington), Alexis Hutchins (Sr., Thornton), Sarah Wastek (Sr., Naperville North), Jalah Morris (Sr., Zion-Benton)
Season Outlook: For the first time in IHSA history, the entire state finalist field topped 40-feet or better. It is an astonishing feat because the event has grown from sub-par to titan status. 2018 will be hard pressed to match what happened last year as a whole, but once again it is going to be solid. Jasmine Mitchell placed second at state last year and is ready to throw over 45 feet. She will have 3rd placer Ellie Weltha pushing her for the final time. The multi-talented Weltha signed to play softball for Illinois State University. With more than 7 returners over 41 feet back, things will continue to be interesting to watch in the shot put ring.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44-5 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 43-10 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 43-1 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 42-4.25 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 41-11 | 2018 |
Rachel Rowe made huge strides in the triple jump in 2017 (Mark Capapas photo)
Triple Jump-
2017 State Champion: Jaimie Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor) 42-8.50 [+2.0]
Key Returners: Natasha Schaffer (Sr., Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge), Maggie Schutte (Sr., Quincy), Rachel Rowe (Jr., Oak Park-River Forest), Sarah Olojo (Sr., Chicago Lane Tech), Daryn Davis (So., Huntley), Brittany Walker (Sr., Belleville West)
Season Outlook: We all know what Jaimie Robinson did in her final season in this event. Aside from winning her second state 3A title, she set a standard that may never be toppled. The 44-foot AAU regional qualifying effort in all conditions was unbelievable. It's also the #7 performance in high school history and will stand for another generation. The 42-8.5 winning mark came on her final attempt at state, and it dazzled the masses inside of Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium.
This year's group has its work cut out for it. But it will not be for the lack of talent. Maggie Schutte has to decide what event suits her best. She is the top returning pole vaulter in the state and that event takes up enormous time and effort. Rachel Rowe is not a household name but she beat Sarah Olojo down the stretch prior to state and finished 4th in Charleston. Olojo did not qualify for state but she is on verge of becoming a great triple jumper. Flawless technique is her strongest suit and of course not making the big dance is a motivating factor. There will be some girl topple 40-feet and that one is Natasha Schaffer. She is a two time all star performer who is ready for the next level.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38-11.5 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 38-10 | 2.2 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 38-8.25 | 3.3 | 2019 | ||
| 4 | 38-6.5 | 2018 | |||
| 5 | 38-4 | 2018 |
Discus Throw-
2017 State Champion: Jazzmine Poole (E. St. Louis Sr.) 140-11
Key Returners: Jalah Morris (Zion-Benton), Ellie Weltha (Bloomington), Alisa Fallon (Maine West), Tarrah Kamp (Dundee-Crown), Jasmine Mitchell (Thornwood), Catie Daily (Jr., Harlem)
Season Outlook: Only two of 12 state finalists return and best performer from Charleston is Alisa Fallon who placed 5th. But there is a chance that this year's heavy upperclassmen field could step up. Jalah toppled the 140-foot mark. She will be along with Ellie Weltha ready to improve in a big way this season.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 141-7 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 133-8 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 127-2 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 127-1 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 126-2 | 2019 |