Lailah Green has developed into one of the premier middle-school talents in the country
The legendary Aurora Flyers Track Club headman Thomas Boatright knows a little about developing talent. Just a sample of his outstanding work over the past 15+ years has been Shakeia Pinnick (Waubonsie Valley), Morolake Akinosun (Waubonsie Valley), Marcellus Moore (Plainfield North), and Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central).
Now it's time to introduce enter middle-school phenom Lailah Green who just completed her eighth-grade academic calendar. Green has not been a stranger to success despite doing most of it in the shadows of fellow Flyers teammate Kaylah Parks. But Green has been just as talented and maybe a bit more diversified in that she can sprint, hurdle, and run middle-distance races at an elite level for her age group. Green won the 2021 AAU National 13-year-old 800m title last summer in 2:21.71. She also placed fifth in the 400m at the same championship with a time of 56.79.
One of Green's biggest moments to date was a trip to Seattle, Washington, for the Brooks PR Invitational. This was a handpicked meet full of talented athletes in the middle school and high school sectors. Green, entered in the MS 400m, and despite some nervous moments in the bright lights, went out and put up a performance worthy of the talent she possesses. It was a no-contest win for Green who overpowered her peers through a fast 200 in 25.9 and streamed home in a personal best and US#3 55.41.
Unfortunately for Illinois fans, Green will be moving to Georgia at the conclusion of her summer track and field season. But of course, we will continue to cheer on the great talent that was produced locally.
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