The current face of the 100m Dash is two-time defending state champion Amira Young
100m-
2017 State Champion: Amira Young (Chicago Whitney Young) 11.78 [+2.8]
Key Returners:
Young, Ameia Wilson ( Jr., Danville), Ozzy Erewele (Sr., Springfield), Dajour Miles (Jr., West Aurora), Nya Carr (Sr., Buffalo Grove), Lyn'Nikka Vance (Jr., Crete-Monee), Brimonet Buggs (Sr., Dekalb), Tiara Beverly (Sr., TF North), Jada Hoffman (Sr., Chicago Kenwood)
Season Outlook: This should be a strong event as usual anchored by two-time defending state champion Amira Young who understands what it takes to be a champion. Since the "Century" is a crap shoot event, the little things mean everything. The mind set followed by block start, reaction time and of course acceleration maximal velocity. How fast can you get to the finish line is the most important thing.
Young was right on time in last year final as she weaved through the hype destowed on to others and captured her second consecutive crown. A fast start out of the blocks and a strong finish down the stretch was the difference over friendly challenger Ameia Wilson. Ms. Wilson is a wonder talent who is just beginning to understand this running game. She placed 2nd at state by less than an inch and followed up a great regular season with a tremendous summer. 2018 will be a deal maker for Wilson and she will have final say in the end.
Dajour Miles was slowed by an injury for a good portion of the season last year otherwise she is in the sprint queen conversation. She will be this season. Ozzy Erewele, Nya Carr, and Lyn'Nikka Vance burned the track up for several sub 12.00 marks. We expect that to occur again. Tiara Beverly is a 200m specialist but she has clocked a swift 12.07. And finally the hidden gem that no one talked about in 2017 is Brimonet Buggs. Her 12.03 is the 6th fastest returning time in 3A.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11.73 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 11.75 | 2.3 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 11.78 | 2018 | |||
| 4 | 11.87 | 2018 | |||
| 5 | 11.89 | 1.6 | 2019 |
Dajour "Cinnamon" Miles won her first state title in her best event (Angela Kerndl photo)
400m
2017 State Champion: Dajour Miles (West Aurora) 54.75
Key Returners: Miles, Janii Jenkins (Jr., Gurnee Warren), Khari Thompkins (Jr., Mundelein), Destiny White (Sr., Oak Park-River Forest), Taylor Tilmon (Sr., Lake Villa Lakes), Alexis Knight (Jr., Wheeling), Megan Pittington (Jr., Moline), Amira Young (Whitney Young)
Season Outlook: Last year's state final field was one of the youngest in many seasons. As the development of its inhabitants continue, we should see some extraordinary times over the next several years. Dajour "Cinnamon" Miles finally won her first state crown after enduring some trials and tribulation. After running a then monster US#1 54.25 indoors at the University of Kentucky Invitational, Miles fell to injury and never truly recovered until the state championship. Now we are ready to see elite level racing and efforts in 2018.
Cinnamon will once again again be ahead of her peers, but there is enough talent and depth to keep everyone entertained. The little known Janii Jenkins showed tremendous growth over her first year running this event in 2016. Now the next step is getting into the 55-second territory. Khari Thompkins is in the same boat as Jenkins in that she came on late in the season with little fanfare and shined bright. It will not be any secrets this spring.
Alexis Knight has several all-state medals including two in this event. She may be ready to for the next level in her junior season. There is finally one name out there lurking. Amira Young. The two-time defending 100 champ and formerly 200 state title holder has tampered with a 58.14 clocking. There is some talk of her adding this discipline to her resume. It can be done of course. Her predecessor Raena Rhone is a two-time state champion here.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54.75 | 2019 | ||
| 2 | 56.75 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 57.07 | 2019 | ||
| 4 | 57.35 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 57.43 | 2018 |
Will we see the first sub 24-second clocking in the regular season since 2008
200m
2017 State Champion: Jaimie Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor) 24.82 [-3.1]
Key Returners: Ameia Wilson (Danville), Amira Young (Whitney Young), Lyn'Nikka Vance (Crete-Monee), Dajour Miles (West Aurora), Ozzy Erewele (Springfield), Olivia Oliver (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Tiara Beverly (TF North)
Season Outlook: High Negative Wind conditions and defections negated some great performances in this event during the championship portion of the season. Still many of the state's top performers got an opportunity to run some great times. Amira Young won the state title in 2016. After blazing 23.96 and earning All-American honors in her first appearance in summer track, this young lady is for real. Look for more sub 24 clockings from Illinois darlings. Ameia Wilson ran a robust 24.06 in Kansas at the USATF Natinal meet. Cinnamon Miles has a great resume in this event. Watch for her to shine bright this season.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23.96 | 2.9 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 24.06 | 2.9 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 24.56 | 2.8 | 2019 |