IL Meet Of Champions Day 2 Recap: New Faces Emerge

Jasmyn Hunter was all smiles after her win in the 100HH

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MEET OF CHAMPIONS LIVE!

----

PHOTOS I VIDEOS I RESULTS

The second day of the Meet of Champions was greeted with a mix of sunny skies and swirling winds that many of the athletes had to traverse. It was a sprint fest as the 100/110 High Hurdles and 400-meter runs were contested at the Hope Academy Track & Field Complex. 

Summer competition is made for developing emerging athletes and giving a boost to those who aren't content on their current status. Such is the case with Jasmyn Hunter of Homewood-Flossmoor HS. She made the 2019 3A state 100HH final and earned all-state honors. But hardly anyone noticed because she was considered a third or fourth option for 2020 in a powerhouse program that is LOADED with depth. However, training extremely hard through the pandemic and ultimately earning a 14.69 [0.0] win will put her in the driver's seat going forward.

Amaya Turner is no stranger to the land of Lincoln as we mentioned before. The rising senior from Wheeler HS in Indiana has been affiliated with training from one of the legendary coaches in the country. Thomas Boatright of the Aurora Flyers Track Club worked with Turner for several years in her development and actually encouraged her to diversify her portfolio. Once a novice in the middle-distance arena, Turner has run 2:08.52 for 800m- good for US#4 in a COVID shorten season. Turner has taken advantage of the opportunities as was the case in the 400m, she motored and maintained poise during the backstretch to win in 56.41.


Ashton Schwartzman of Wildwood WI turns out to be the best 400m speedster that we have never heard of. "I won the Wisconsin state championship [in 2019]," he said when asked of his previous status. Schwartzman drew some attention with a Team USA jersey on. It should be noted that he also won the prestigious indoor University of Kentucky High School Invite and Arkansas High School Invite titles indoor. Just two weeks ago, Schwartzman dropped a 47.95 PR that will get some college recruiter's attention. Though his 49.00 was a little off the mark on Tuesday, it was a hard-fought battle against some of the best competition in the area.

Though his time was not magnificent, he is on the emergence and will be someone from the state of Indiana will be proud of next track season. Zachary Cox of Carmel IN came in with a mission to get better and he won the 110HH in a big PR of 14.87 [-1.1].