100 High Hurdles
2019 State Champion: Kayla Walters (Bolingbrook) 13.75 [+3.6]
Key Athletes: Kaylah McCall (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Victoria Spagnola (Jr., West Aurora), Macee Rivers (So., Belleville West), Brianna Barwick (Sr., DeKalb), Jasmyn Hunter (Jr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Ana-Liese Torian (Fr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Jennah Rogers (Sr., Oswego), Monica Bradford (Sr., Oak Park-River Forest), Aaliyah Thomas (Sr., Belleville East), Daryn Davis (Sr., Huntley)
Breakdown: Is it record year or bust for Kaylah McCall? The fact that the 2018 state champion came up short as the overwhelming favorite did not sit well with McCall. Instead of wallowing in a pool of tears, she got to work and won the 17-18 USATF Junior Olympic National title (13.56)- now #2 on Illinois' All-Time Record List. No need to squint, the IHSA record (13.54- Dawn Harper) should be clear in her sights, with the right conditions it could be all hers.
Four other medalists return from last year's podium, all will look to win gold and deny history in the same race. Tori Spagnola has been on the scene for quite some time, hurdling is in her bloodlines (older sister Emma Spagnola was a state champ). She laid down a personal best in the state prelims while stunning McCall in the process, one experienced year later she won't be sneaking up on anyone.
Macee Rivers entered the prep scene with much hype from her record-setting elementary days, what will the year two progression look like?
Bree Barwick is a name we've heard a lot over the last few months, look for her to display big improvement. Same goes for Jasmyn Hunter, once she drops the pom-poms it'll be time to attack the barriers.
An intriguing prospect is freshman Ana-Liese Torian (daughter of former Thornwood HS legend Reggie Torian) who already has an age group national championship under her belt. What will the taller hurdles and increased competition do for her?