MileSplit IL Senior Spotlight: Ashanti Denton

Despite coming in with lofty credentials as a junior in 2019, Ashanti Denton did not have a ton of fanfare outside of her Homewood-Flossmoor HS fan base. Sure Denton contributed mightily to the team's 3A state runner-up cause as a sophomore with a strong 5th place effort in the 400m (56.62) and anchored the 4x400 that placed 3rd in the final tally sheet. Maybe it was a hard hat and tight-lipped work ethic that Denton subscribed to that left her name off of the key names to watch.

Her former coach Zontavius Johnson indicated that Denton had always been a team player and tough runner when he needed her the most. Denton, a multi-activity student-athlete, was on a key part of her school's cheer team during the indoor season. Plus, with names like Kaylah McCall, Olivia Oliver, and Trinity Daniels as mainstays, it was easy to overlook the reserved Denton. 

But as mentioned previously, Denton "crept" upon the competition last year but Johnson was not surprised his prized pupil won a tough and supposedly zip-locked 400m over "Cinnamon" Dajour Miles of West Aurora. "I knew as a freshman [Denton] would be a champion before she left HF, said Johnson. "Her junior year was a mission for her. She took pride in [earning that individual title] and leading her team to the 4x4 as well." The end result was a state-leading 54.49 time that matches up with any girl in recent memory.

2020 would have no doubt pit Denton as the long sprinter to watch if you included her indoor resume in which she led the state with 55.94 and 24.69 marks respectively. Unfortunately, there will be no series of 'Ohhs and ahhs' this season due to Covid-19. However, on the bright side, Denton has signed on as a future student-athlete at Ole Miss aka The University of Mississippi. We wish Ashanti Denton nothing but the best in pursuit of her goals!