Brianna Dixon edges Emmi Scales in a furious battle at the 2022 Illinois Prep Top Times
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There is a slew of top returners ready to vastly change the course of this event that was in emerging status a year ago. Look for things to be much different by the end of March.
Emmi Scales (Sr., Arlington Heights St. Viator) is off to a blistering start. No barrier has prevented the All-American from opening her season with a time (8.50) that falls in the current top ten national rankings. The defending 100H outdoor state champion may have some goals in mind prior to her title defense. Scales may be on the prowl for her first Top Times title in the event. She may have aspirations of competing at one of the national indoor meets in March to challenge for a national title. Her eyes may also be set on the all-time Illinois indoor record in this event. The record of 8.47 jointly held by Imani Carothers and Kaylah McCall, could be in serious jeopardy of moving down to number two on the list.
How can a three-time outdoor hurdle champion fly under the radar in a hurdle event? Ana-Liese Torian (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) has not competed indoors in this event (8.73) since her freshman season. Varsity basketball is the culprit as to why she has been missing in action. Although she appears to have relinquished her hardwood duties, there is no guarantee that she will partake in many individual events this winter. The key is to get a mentally and physically superior Torian ready for the outdoor team and individual title chase.
Brianna Dixon (Sr., Rantoul) is the defending 2A Top Times champion, she also has an individual outdoor state title on her resume from two seasons ago. Dixon typically lays low during the early part of the indoor regular season, this year is her first time competing on preseason track. Her debut (8.81) thus far is close to where she ended last season.
Kennedy Ross (Sr., Chicago Lindblom) achieved her current lifetime best in early March of last season, she is not too far from that performance based on her preseason best achieved last month at the Akinosun Elite Invitational (9.03). The all-state athlete and reigning Chicago Public League indoor champion in this event will look to improve weekly as she prepares for a battle with the best class 2A has to offer.
Next on Cambria Geyer's list is to break the nine-second barrier before the final indoor season of her high school career comes to an end. She achieved a big personal best while winning the 1A Top Times crown in this event. The Illinois State signee from Tremont hopes to turn any indoor success into hurdle magic for the outdoor season.
Honorable Mention: Simone Bernard (So., Chicago Whitney Young), Jordan Hamb (Fr., Chicago South Shore International), Anna Barr (Sr., Normal University) Abrielle Artley (Sr., Evanston), Tania Boombo (Sr., Bloomington), Jocelyn Crum (Sr., Lakes Community), Gianna Huerta (Sr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard South), Shelby McGee (Sr., Salt Fork), Sophie Amin (Jr., Huntley)