3A-
Distance watching is a must-
Katelynne Hart (Jr., Glenbard West) will not be in the 3200m for the second straight year. Last year it was a weather catastrophe that did her in. This time it was a matter of choice. Hart will contest the 800m and 1600m. It is time to usher in newcomer Emma Watcke (Jr., Hinsdale Central) who moved in from Ohio and christened herself with a win at the Batavia Distance Madness. Fortunately for the field which features Abby Lopez (Jr., Argo), Alex Morris (Sr., Naperville North), Kailey Fox (Jr., Yorkville), and Brenna Cohoon (Jr., Downers Grove South), they all will get an opportunity at redemption. Morris is the runner that everyone better be careful with. Don't be surprised to see a time under 10:30 for the winner.
Perhaps the most anticipated of the day will be the 800m. This may be the first time in Illinois history that Hart will be an underdog. Erin Reidy (Jr., Downers Grove South) is the state's top ace followed by Claire Hamilton (Sr., Naperville North)- both ran in the 2:11s. Hart comes in at 2:13.46 and is the most competitive runner in the state regardless of race. She recently split 2:11.4 on a relay and most elite runners of her statue have run 2:10. There is a feeling in the air that she is ready to match those efforts.
Hart will most definitely return in one of her premier events, the 1600m as the overwhelming favorite. She will be going after the all-time record of 4:51.1. That is good as gone. Reidy and Campbell Petersen (So., Naperville North) will battle for the silver medal.
Sprints galore-
Kaylah McCall (Jr., Homewood-Flossmoor) and Kayla Walters (Sr., Bolingbrook) are the best 60HH in the state and they will settle their "beef" in the final. Walters beat McCall in her own backyard BBQ back in February. But guess who is the defending champion? McCall is... 8.60-8.61 will not stand after Saturday's final.
The 60m field is full of quality athletes which will feature McCall, Lyn'nikka Vance (Sr., Crete-Monee), and perhaps the favorite and IL#2 Ameia Wilson (Sr., Danville) who has clocked 7.68. Taylor Gilling (Sr., Highland Park) has been revered as the top sprinter coming into this season, but she has not had enough races to be factored in among the elite. We will see if she and others are ready to show out.
A good field is assembled for the 400m. Ashanti Denton (Jr., Homewood-Flossmoor) is the favorite at 57.90 followed by Janii Jenkins (Sr., Warren) and Taylor Wright (Sr., Lincoln-Way East). Look for a sub-57-second mark for the title holder.
Wilson is the odds on favorite in the 200m. She is the only sprinter with a time under 25-seconds. Gilling and Zakiya Johnson (Sr., Kenwood) will battle for the best.
Relays-
12 teams are entered in the 4x800 and Downers South is clearly the best team, but there is speculation that they may hold out Reidy. If so, Yorkville is the favorite. Evanston, Naperville North, and Prospect will challenge.
The 1:43.25 that Homewood-Flossmoor put up in the 4x200 last weekend is the top time in the state. However, it is a suspect since the overall effort was marred by a bad first exchange. The Lady Vikings will be after a 1:41 clocking.
HF is the warpath in the 4x400 after clocking the top state mark 3:59.92. Word has it that Dajour Miles (Sr., West Aurora) may not run on the relay. We will see if that's true on Saturday.
Field events-
This is the moment that Raelyn Roberson (Jr., Glenbrook South) can walk out of the Shirk Center as the premier long jumper. Madison Myrick (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Wilson, and newcomer Riley Ammenhauser (So., Neuqua Valley) are ready to challenge her.
Ammenhauser is the premier triple jumper in the state leading the charge with a 40-4.25 state best and US#9. The multi-sport star took the event by storm last spring by winning the outdoor title. It is hard to conceive anyone overtaking her. Daryn Davis (Jr., Huntley) competes away from the home confines and we will see what the mindset is like going after 40-feet.
Jasmine Mitchell (Sr., Thornwood) is a premier shot put specialist in the country at US#3. Can she leave the weekend with the best results merge? Katie Fare (Sr., Harlem) could make things somewhat interesting for several rounds.
The pole vault is still emerging in this classification. Yasmin Ruff (Jr., Oak Park-Forest) appears to be the favorite and pushing for 12-feet.
Jenelle Rogers (Jr., Oswego) is the co-state leader at 5-8 in the high jump. This is a chance for her to separate from a pack that contains a bevy of top leapers. Myrick has cleared 5-7 and Grace Daun (Sr., Wauconda) is the defending state champion.