It should be fast times across the board once again this season
4x100-
2018 State Champion: Homewood-Flossmoor 46.97
Key teams: Homewood-Flossmoor, Belleville West, Belleville East, Chicago Kenwood, Dunlap, Downers Grove North, Highland Park, Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.), West Aurora, Bolingbrook, Evanston, Hinsdale Central, Aurora (Waubonsie Valley), Alton, Lagrange (Lyons Twp.), Mt. Prospect (Prospect), Crete-Monee
Season outlook analysis: It was a banner season as a whole in this relay with ten teams breaking 48.00. Seven of those squads hailed from this classification. Make it eight as Dunlap moves in from 2A where they won two state titles in a row. For starters, the Eagles are expected to solid but their ultimate success will depend on the guidance of star sprinter senior Kiara Pauli.
Belleville West returns two girls from their state all-star relay. But in reality, they have a very strong outfit because when you are out there working to win team titles, the intent is spread the talent out. If there is a winner take all scenario, the Maroons have to be placed in the pot. Senior Laqwasia Stepney would be that ex-factor if it really came down to it.
Let's kick things off talking about last year's top team Homewood-Flossmoor. The Lady Vikings stormed through the year undefeated and dominating in all phases of the relay. They had an airtight anchor Olivia Oliver who slammed the door shut on any threats. Oliver and Jackie Bassey have graduated which means there is an opportunity for a few alternatives to step up. Several replacement names that immediately pop up are Ashanti Denton, Akela White, Alicia Adams, and Katlyn Jackson. Most of this group were cutting their teeth on the undercard circuit. So it appears as though we will see continued sub 47s again this spring.
Dekalb ran a very fast 47.26 last year. They drew attention from the main players with a group of relentless upperclassmen that impressed every time out. Now that three of those legs graduated, what should we expect from the Barbs? But the truth of the matter is a solid class of returners is back. Junior Sydney Dumas is a candidate. She ran 12.7 and 26.xx in April before suffering a leg injury that displaced her for the second half of the season. Top hurdler junior Brianna Barwick is another excellent piece to the puzzle. It will be a challenge to stay on top this season but the effort won't be lacking.
Belleville East is the only team that returns all four legs running a beautiful season-best 48.19 at the Danville Sectional. The Lancers ran themselves into the state final last year... but ultimately finished DEAD LAST. The irony is they were the last team in and appeared to be happy to make it. It will be all serious business for 2019.
There are so many quality teams with two pieces returning, it kind of levels the playing field. Some of those schools include Kenwood, Whitney Young, Batavia, and Springfield.