4x100m-
2019 State Champion: East St. Louis (Veronica Sherrod, Markia Lampley, Faith Mitchell, Jariah Turner) 47.41
Key Teams: East St Louis (Senior), Carbondale, Kankakee, Rantoul, Monticello, Peoria Richwoods, (Chicago) Lindblom, Springfield Lanphier, Rich South
Breakdown: 2019 was a year where the pregame hype for this relay crown centered around three teams, in the end, it was the East St. Louis Flyerettes edging out Carbondale. This year more teams are expected to join the mix as seven finalists from last season return with at least three athletes from their quartet.
Experience on the big stage matters in this relay, taking off too early, too late, or one slip up with the baton could spell doom. The Flyerettes and runner-up Lady Terriers of Carbondale appear to be the preseason favorites as both return three members from sub-48-second squads, both also appear to have an athlete with state meet experience ready to step up and fill the void of departed seniors.
The two teams may have what it takes to challenge the 2A record (47.25/Dunlap '18) en route to this relay crown. The rest of the field doesn't mind flying under the radar. That field is led by Monticello who placed fourth last year and return all four girls and are hoping for big points towards a potential team trophy as well.
Rantoul, Kankakee, Peoria Richwoods, and Springfield Lanphier all return four members who competed in the final.
Lindblom of Chicago finished fourth and return two legs from a sub 48 unit, but do they have groomed replacements ready to step up to fill the voids? Or will a team not in the current spotlight rise to the occasion?