400m Dash -
2019 State Champion: Jayla Campbell (Olympia Fields [Rich Central]), 56.36
Key Athletes: Sara Addai (Jr., Mt. Zion), Akira Custer (Sr., Carbondale), Tya Morgan (Sr., Chicago Lindblom), Tesa Roberts (Sr., Chicago Brooks), Jaylen Muldrow (Sr., Springfield Lanphier), Kiara Cobb (Jr., Carbondale), Lovenya Perry (Jr., Rantoul), Maggie Dervis (Jr., Aurora [Central Catholic]), Zawadi Brown (Fr., Oak Park [Fenwick])
Breakdown: Classification changes pushes Brooks College Prep back down to 2A which means their ace Tesa Roberts joins the party. The returning list leader has already approached her outdoor personal best time during the month of January.
The rest of the field might be in trouble if Robert's preseason times are any indication of what's to come. The field won't go down that easily though, Sara Addai made huge strides once she hit the blue track by cracking the 58 second mark twice en route to the Bronze medal. Can she break the 57-second mark and move up the podium?
Tya Morgan is not only out for a medal, but redemption as she fell victim to a false start in the finals.
Carbondale could possibly place two in the finals here as Akira Custer the lead Terrier looks to improve her place and make up for her finals performance.
Kiara Cobb could score in this event, but she is an integral part of Carbondale's 4x200 and may bypass this event during the championship season.
Lovenya Perry could be a threat here if coaches opt not to form a 4x2 squad in championship time.
Zawadi Brown a freshman from Fenwick is one to watch as she has already gone sub 59 seconds in 2020 club track. Anything could happen in this one lap event, who else will emerge to take one of those all-state medals?