IL Meet of Champions ready to pack serious firepower

Mar 05, 2022

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WATCH LIVE

MEET PROGRAM I MEET SCHEDULE/INFO I LIVE RESULTS

Chicago IL-

The Gately Track & Field Center will be rocking one more time from a big-time meet perspective as a diverse group of local and national talent invades the Windy City.

The morning undercard will kick things off with a full slate of middle-school track and field. The late morning to early afternoon will feature the high school portion. Finally, it's time to dance with all-star relays and several professional 800m races. An added bonus will be Olympian Matt Centrowitz leading a Q&A after the conclusion of the meet.

Boys-

The hot action will start with Nick Falk of Trier. The Duke University-bound senior is fresh off of a winning 4:20.61 1600m performance at the D117 Clash at the Coliseum. Falk will double back and run it again on the sleek and fast-banked Mondo surfaced track. Look for a time in the 4:15 range. Chicago Latin standouts Ryan Hardiman (Sr) and Akili Parekh (Jr) will be looking to drop their personal bests under 4:20.

Look for revenge in the 3200m by Michael Schumacher (Sr., St. Viator) who lost to Mac Kittrell (Jr., Chicago DePaul Prep) at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Invitational. In that one, Schumacher led most of the way before settling for an 11-second deficit. Kittrell on the other hand has been on fire this indoor season. His 9:34.65 PB should drop some more.

The 800m could be the race of the day as three runners are listed with seed times under 2:00. Charlie Richardson (Jr., DePaul Prep) clocked 1:59.52 last season. He ran a 4:26 metric mile a few weeks ago. Aidan Simon (Sr., Loyola Academy), Patrick Jamieson (Sr., New Trier), and Spencer Werner (Sr., Loyola Academy) will be ready to pounce on the opportunity to win the title.

Maxwell Mitchell (Sr., Neuqua Valley) will lead the sprint barrage as he is entered in the 60 and 200 meters. The Gately mainstay will wear his school uniform and don't be surprised to see him drop some major fire on the track.

Girls-

The talk of the meet has been the "future Stanford U crew" who plan to put on a show Saturday afternoon in the 4x1mile and Distance Medley Relays. The following group will be linked together:

The cast of players listed to assault the records:

1. Roisin Willis (Stevens Point WI)- signed with Stanford University

-2020* Olympic trials qualifier in the 800m. She has run 2:00.78, 4:41.46

2. Caroline Wells (Winter Springs FL)- signed with Stanford University

-All-time Florida record holder in the 3200 (10:08.77) and 5000 (16:16)

3. Riley Stewart (Cherry Creek HS; Denver CO)- signed with Stanford University

-Multiple All-American who has run 4:40.66 for the mile and 2:08.22 in the 800m

4. Ava Parekh (Chicago Latin)- signed with Stanford University

-Has consistently kept her name among the elite performers in the country. Parekh has clocked 10:14.63i (3200) and 4:46.20 (1600)

5. Juliette Whittaker (Mount De Sales Academy MD)- signed with Stanford

-Outstanding middle-distance runner with tremendous range- 800 (2:01.21), mile (4:43.89)

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The 800m will be the regular event to watch. Chicago Northside Prep standout senior Elia Ton-That will battle junior Brooke Johnston of Lake Zurich. Both girls have an impressive resume but Ton-That is already lathered up from competing throughout the winter. Her season-best 2:17 should drop vs. a fiesty Johnston who is just entering her second competition of the season. It will be a great battle nonetheless.

Alice Mihas of Chicago Latin is one of the best weight throwers in the country and she will be looking to improve her stature for the upcoming New Balance Indoor Nationals.