Evayaeva Michelin enroute to an easy victory in the 1600 at the MW Prep Invite
In one of the most frustrating seasons in recent memory in terms of inclement weather, it was refreshing to see a meet director make a decision in favor of the athletes. Lawrence Central High School assistant athletic director Alfie Hernandez serves as meet director and is a big track and field aficionado. He has been in a situation where he had to cancel the Midwest Prep because of weather. It was as late as Friday morning with a final decision to make amid possible thunderstorms heading to central Indiana and Indianapolis. Hernandez gave the meet the green light and with a little luck mixed in, the athletes would have an opportunity to show out. And the consistent warm temperatures in the 70s leading up to Saturday was a welcomed relief.
Girls-
Enyaeva Michelin (Sr., Evanston IL) got a much needed break from the Chicago area where the consistently bad weather has hampered her training and racing. So it was understood that she was defiantly warming up in just a long sleeve and shorts prior to her first race- the 1600m. Michelin, navigated the mid-60 degree weather mixed in with sprinkles and wind, to devastate a lightweight field. The University of North Carolina bound Michelin quickly moved to the front within the first 100 meters and never looked back winning in 4:56.10. To be fair a vast majority of the area's best competition competed Friday night at the Franklin Central Flashes Showcase. In that competition there were three girls under the metric 5:00 barrier led by the winner Emma Wilson (Jr., Greencastle IN) in 4:54.94 (4:53.23). Michelin would have challenged for the win that contest had she been allowed to compete. Several hours later she dropped a 58.1 anchor leg in leading her team to a thrilling 4x400 relay win in 4:00.52, which is a state leading mark. The Wildkits had earlier won the 4x800 relay in 9:38.66- IL#4.
Hannah Morris (Sr., Bloom Twp IL) was on the side of two victories. The first one was the long jump which was conducted in an unorthodox fashion. The athletes only had 70-feet of runway which started on a carpet entering the field house. Morris won in 18-1. Later her strong second leg on the 4x100 relay enabled her teammates to win in 48.28. The win over runner up Lawrence Central showed that Illinois teams were here for serious business.
De'aria Robertson (Sr., Lawrence Central IN) battled Beth Barnes (Jr., Indy Chatard) first to the tape in the 300H 45.44-46.02. Robertson is now the state leader.
Tremaine Gonzalez picked up two hurdle wins at the MW Prep Invite
Boys-
The athlete of the day could have been Tremaine Gonzalez (Sr., Silver Creek IN). He swept the hurdle races fine fashion. Gonzalez did not need a wind gauge to know the head wind was blowing very stiffly. He maintained his poise and won the 110HH easily in 14.77. The return race was a little more challenging over the long variety. Gonzalez coasted his way to a personal best win in 40.19.
Frank Massey (Sr., Bloom Twp IL) is a coach's dream. Not only can he do virtually any event on the track, Massey may have a future as an attorney. In the meet's early stages, Massey was competing in the long jump. He knew with a slim lead on the second place competitor, he needed to get in his final attempt. Head Coach Jeff Timms motioned to Massey that his jumps day was complete. Immediately Massey convinced his coach that he could get a more desirable effort on his final attempt. Massey launched the best jump by almost two feet over second place finisher Kyshun Robinson (So., Proviso West IL) 22-0.75-20-1.75. Sometimes the athlete's win and this was a rare case.
Bloom Twp swept the sprint relays taking the 4x100 in 42.92, running past host Lawrence Central who ran 43.68. The Trojans logged one of the fastest times in Illinois in the 4x400 with an easy 3:24.26.
Amani Morrell (Sr., South Bend St. Joe) pulled away in the final 150m to win the 800 in 1:59.44.