Ameia Wilson has continually been among the elite speedsters in the state
100m-
2018 State Champion: Amira Young (Chicago Whitney Young) 11.71 [-0.4]
Key Athletes: Ameia Wilson (Sr., Danville), Taylor Gilling (Jr., Highland Park), Lyn'Nikka Vance (Sr., Crete-Monee), Dajour Miles (Sr., West Aurora), Kiara Pauli (Sr., Dunlap), Zakiya Johnson (Sr., Chicago Kenwood), Toni Rush (Sr., Granite City), Kimberly Brent (Sr., Downers Grove North), Jeanea Epps (Sr., Alton), Zoie Howard (So., O'Fallon), Raelyn Roberson (Jr., Glenbrook South), Jessica Coughlin (Jr., Belleville West))
Outlook: Everyone's nemesis Amira Young has finally graduated and moved on to the University of Minnesota. But 2018 was supposed to be Ameia Wilson's time. She had come out of the indoor season healthy and hungry. A trip to the Texas Relays in March opened many eyes and broke the doubt of naysayers who thought she could not run fast or compete against some of the nation's best. Wilson's 11.59w was just over the wind allowable and it stood up as the all-conditions best for the season. However, what could not be accounted for is her technique. Wilson has been troubled by block starts which have been atrocious. It prevented her from reaching the mountain top. Fix the start and we may be singing a different tune.
There are some many good Century performers of the past season to choose from. Taylor Gilling is a completely different sprinter now than the one we saw in May. After blitzing through summer track Gilling advanced to the nationals but a false start in her qualifying heat ended her junior year. With the momentum that she was building, there was no doubt that she would have made the final. From a naked eye, Gilling's starts and acceleration were amazing- national elite level stuff. Beware 2019 foes!
Kiara Pauli moves into town from 2A. There is no secret that she made her bread and butter running down on opponents in relays. Pauli has been underrated as an individual performer (12.03) because her team has been so dominant. But she will now get an opportunity to showcase her talents against the very best. The 3A is a different beast the entire water is filled with hungry sharks. Pauli has the talent and resume to hang tough, but she has to be ready every weekend now.
Lyn'nikka Vance will have a say in how the environment will look by the end of the season. As one of the talented speedster's in the state, Vance has performed admirably. She can do more with consistency and meeting the challenge like she did last summer advancing to nationals.