Imani Carothers will be the center of attraction this weekend in Charleston (Angela Kerndl photo)
It's Imani Carothers Time-
The state championship is here and that usually raises top athlete's antennas a bit higher than normal. One of those athletes is senior
Imani Carothers of Chicago Brooks College Prep. Carothers has been here before like a kid at a summer carnival. Except she is not here to play with the competition. One of the most celebrated track and field athletes in IHSA history is ready for one last showdown.
The first event of the day will come at 8 O'Clock in the morning and it's the
Long Jump. Carothers comes as the third seed if you can believe that.
Erika Furbeck (Sr., Geneseo) and
Serena Bolden (Jr., Springfield Southeast) have leaped 20-7 and 20-1.25, both are among the nation's elite performers. Furbeck is ranked US #5 and within breathing room of the legendary
Alexandria Anderson's (Chicago Morgan Park) record of 20-9. Bolden comes from Jumps Capital USA known as Springfield Southeast. In order to be recognized in her school record annals, she will need to continue her dominating quest. Carothers has leaped 19-10 this season and will seek to earn her 2nd title in three years.
The
100H is perhaps Carothers
best event if you allow her to tell it. Ever since she was a freshman the goal has been to break the all-time mark of 13.54 by future Olympic Gold Medalist
Dawn Harper of E. St. Louis Sr. Carothers is a history buff of her event and she knows that 17 years is too long for one athlete to hold a record. Carothers also understands that she may not get any assistance from a competitor or the wind improving from 13.81.
The last two events of a long morning will be the
100m and
Triple Jump. The dash appears to be the biggest challenge for Carothers whose history in the flat event is less than stellar. But improved efforts over the past year has put her into contention among some great competitors. Once again Bolden will stand in her way along with the repaired Martin twins seniors
Katina Martin and
Tina Martin. Katina is the defending state champion while Bolden is the class and sectional leader. Carothers, on the other hand, has run 12.14. Don't forget about junior
Kiara Pauli of Dunlap as a person of interest here... most athletes wish their tertiary event was as good as 41-7. That's what the state leader Carothers has leaped this year in minimal contests. Only Bolden has the ability to stop her. By the way, Carothers jumped a 42-10w last year to win it all.
Dunlap is seeking to dominate all four relays for the second year in a row-
Dunlap accomplished a feat that only one team in IHSA history has ever done before: win four relays in a state championship. The first order of business for the Eagles will be the 4x800m. The sectional and state leaders have run 9:32.06 thus far. When you are the reigning cross country state champions, the shortage of depth does not exist. Look for Dunlap to run away with this event and leave the likes of Rock Falls, Mt. Zion, Eureka, and Burlington Central to fend for themselves.
The high stakes and dangerous 4x100m is an event that most speed coaches will gamble on. This one is will be an event that Dunlap has penciled in for big points. Rich East and Chicago Lindblom stand in the way as key challengers because they have strong anchors. However, the Eagles have the 4th fastest time in the state (47.51) and they have the "bullpen closer" Kiara Pauli... the 4x200m is an event that should be easy work for Dunlap. They have run the second-fastest time in the state at 1:40.85 and won their sectional by nearly five seconds. The nearest team is E. St. Louis Sr. at 1:42.14... the 4x400m will present the biggest challenge for Dunlap. They know that E. St. Louis has the top time in Illinois at 3:54.50 and will be the #1 seed coming into Charleston. The Eagles are #2 with a good 3:57.89. No other school has broken 4:00.
Dunlap has the personnel for all events-
The key to becoming a true champion is the ability to score in many events across the spectrum. The
3200m is expected to be a strong event for Dunlap.
Jenna Schwartz (Jr., Waterloo) and
Campbell Petersen (Fr., Dunlap) are expected to be the favorites. They got well acquainted with one another during the cross country season where Schwartz ultimately won the crown and Petersen placed second. Schwartz has a personal best of 10:44.40 and Petersen 10:47.98- both contested at the Distance Night in Palatine.
There is no Petersen in the
800m but freshman Delicia Chen has done well in recent weeks. She is expected to make the final and score. The runner to watch of course is
Rachel Hickey (Sr., Lasalle-Peru) who has been lights out all season. Hickey has run a career best 2:10.70 at the Distance Night in Palatine. She would like to go under 2:10 but that might be a tall challenge if she contests the four events listed on her work schedule.
Raven Moore (Jr., Springfield Southeast) and Jayla Campbell (Jr., Rich Central) are the 400m favorites, and this one and both should be under 56 seconds easy on championship day. Shonjahnea Griggs (Jr., E. St. Louis Sr.) and Lizzy Hoenes (Jr., Dunlap) are key contributors to the mix.
A newcomer is ready to challenge defending champion Karyn Best (Sr., Wheaton Academy) in the 300H. That person of interest is the unknown Jessica Franklin (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour) who ran 43.79 in the sectional round. It is expected to be a great one Saturday. Also, watch for Sarah Georgieff of Dunlap to return to all-state status.
The 1600m is another strong event for Dunlap and in general. Petersen and teammate Franny Verville have the top times from the sectional round. Look for the girls to place high inside the top five. Schwartz is the class leader at 5:00.7.
Tina Martin is back from injury and will be ready to shine on Saturday in the 200m. She will get tested by Pauli who ran 24.52 earlier this season.
There is surprisingly no one from Dunlap in the High Jump. The favorite is obviously the talented Diamonasia Taylor of Urbana. Taylor has dominated this event ever since she entered high school. Her personal best of 5-10 is US #9.
Defending champion Tayla Schwarz (Sr., Dixon) is the favorite in the Discus Throw. She will receive a challenge from Evangeline Harris (Sr., E. St. Louis)... Harris is the state leader in the Shot Put.
The Pole Vault will see the best competition from this classification. The top 7 of 10 are from here. The trio of Samantha Spencer (Providence Catholic), Josie Held (Mt. Zion), and defending champion Aliyah Welter (Monticello) have cleared 12-7 on the season.
