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400m-
2021 Best: Rylee Lydon (Sr., Crystal Lake [Prairie Ridge]) -- 56.25
3A state champion: Lydon -- 56.25
2A state champion: Sara Addai (Mt. Zion) -- 56.68
1A state champion: Megan Becker (Bloomington [Central Catholic]) -- 57.93
Top returners: Lydon, Ashley Oliver (Sr., Hoffman Estates), Alex Edison (Homewood-Flossmoor), Dakota Lyons, Angela Alozie (Homewood-Flossmoor), Becker, Ali Ince (Normal Community), Madison Hardamon (Sr., Evanston), Mia Gonzalez (Marian Catholic), Kathleen Baker (Barrington), Jordyn Miller (Mundelein), Kyrah Maas (Glenbard West), Rose Talbert (Monticello)
Big thoughts: This could be another solid year on the docket. Multi-event star Rylee Lydon followed up a runner-up placing in the high jump with a state championship here. Watching Lydon's progression through each of the events this year will be a noteworthy storyline- -Lydon, also a cross country all-stater from several years ago, forewent XC to focus on developing multi-event skills, and even learning new events. She will give an honest effort defending her 400 crown, but we may also see her attention split between a wider variety of field events in addition.
Ashley Oliver could be an athlete to take the title from Lydon, as her biggest breakout performance came after the 2021 state meet.
Megan Becker is the heavy downstate favorite and is a threat to run the fastest 400 times in the state this year. Don't discount Ali Ince in this event. Her focus will likely be on events besides the open 400, but her 4x400 relay splits indicate that she can make damage in this event if she decides to prioritize it.