A recent 200m scene at the Gately/Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center in Chicago
TOP RETURNING PERFORMERS
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There are several angles to look at the 200m during the indoor season. After a long day of competition, it seems like a castaway event in which many of the best athletes don't always line up unless team points are needed. Secondly, it is a surprisingly refreshing race that should never be taken for granted.
Asia Thomas (Sr., Chicago Kenwood) ended her junior campaign in the summer at USATF Junior Olympics as a two-time national champion as part of relays and All-American in two individual events including the 200m (24.59 semi-finals). Maybe that experience was a foreshadowing of what we may see this indoor season. So far so good for the current state leader, (24.97) who has only run the event three times for IHSA indoor season. Remaining healthy will be a big key for Thomas as this season kicks off.
Zawadi Brown (Jr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) may see the indoor track as a bit of a vacation. In the Summer and Spring, she split her time between track and lacrosse. Brown was recently selected to Team USA 16U Select Lacrosse Team, bad news for those trying to race her up the sideline. The reigning Illinois Top Times champion in this event has only toed the line for this event three times indoors. The top indoor returner (25.23) from last season may opt to take a similar approach to stay as fresh as possible given the Spring workload she will soon endure.
Katelyn Lehnen (So., Chatham-Glenwood) hasn't had a full indoor season to train, only a few weeks after her basketball season ends. Still, she found a way to be competitive in this event. The reigning 3A state champion outdoors may endure a similar situation this late indoor season again. Going through it once, she may have a better idea of how to navigate the latter part of the indoor season.
Naomi Bey-Osborne (So., Kankakee) burst onto the scene as a freshman mainly as a name in the rankings many inquired about. Her presence became known in late March as she competed in major meets including the Illinois Top Times where she finished an eye-opening second. Maybe that big meet experience catapulted Bey-Osborne towards the outdoor season where she won the 2A crown in this event. Her Sophomore campaign has begun this preseason and she has already surpassed her previous indoor season bests.
Angela Alozie (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) known more for her 400m exploits, has the leg speed to drop down to this event. Thus far this early season she has exceeded her previous personal best while at the Arkansas High School Invitational. It's too early to talk about lineups, but keep an eye out for how her talents are used this indoor season.
Rylee Lydon (Sr., Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge) This may be an experimental event one might add but Lydon is very good at it, dipping under 25 seconds several times. The future Texas A&M Aggie will be a heptathlete and running the half-lapper will be an event that will be greeted fondly.
Honorable Mention: Nevaeh Lowe (Sr., Kankakee), Tania Miller (Jr., Romeoville), Mia Rodriguez (Jr., Chicago Heights Marian Catholic), Emmi Scales (Sr., Arlington Heights St. Viator), Ana-Liese Torian (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), DeAndranay Chism (Jr., Belleville East), Lena Jackson (So., Peoria Richwoods), Anna Barr (Sr., Normal University), Jaliyah Shepherd (Sr., Chicago Kenwood), Chioma Anyaegbunam (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley). Kyla Harris (Sr., Aurora Metea Valley)