Wednesday-
Cahokia Conference
Freeburg is the overall team to beat on the track, led by Grace Trentman (Fr.) in the sprints and the short relays. Caroline Tepe (Fr., Okawville) is another name to watch in the mid-distance events.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Emmi Scales (Sr., Arlington Heights St. Viator) is the best athlete going away in this conference, but if she runs the flat sprints, could be challenged by Mia Rodriguez (Jr., Chicago Heights Marian) and Symone Holman (Fr., Joliet Catholic Academy). Louisa Diamond (Sr., Benet), Izzy Bing (So., Carmel), and Colette Kinsella (Sr., Nazareth Academy) showdown in the distance events. Holman may make a run at 18' in the Long Jump.
Gateway Metro
Fr. McGivney's run at postseason dominance begins here. Lilly Gilbertson (So.) is the conference's best sprinter, and Elena Rybak (So.) and Kaitlyn Hatley (Jr.) look to dominate the distance events. Mia Range (So.) has already high jumped 5'3" this year. Jane Cummins (So.) has been coming on well too. Sammy Hentrich (Sr., Alton Marquette) will be the chief sprint competition and is a hurdles favorite.
Little Illini
Maybe Tatum David (Sr., Olney) previews her state meet event load? She and Brielle Seiler (So.) lead the scoring and the relays for the Tigers. Mary Elliott (So., Robinson) will be a big point scorer in the sprints and jumps, and will be chasing Laney Hemrich (So., Newton) in the sprints. Gracie Smithenry (Jr., Newton) has a 5'4 HJ best and Kylee Weber (Jr., Robinson) will try to improve her 11'3 PV best.
Mid-Illini
Dunlap may be the team to beat, led by Chelsea Wetzel (Jr., TJ/PV), Teagan Sullivan (Jr., 100/400/LJ) and strong relays. Washington is quite formidable in the distance events, headlined by Sophia Ramirez (Fr.) coming off a sub-5:00 1600. But the potential athlete of the meet? Ranaisha Howard-Dunigan (Jr., Limestone) who is a serious triple threat in all three flat sprints.
NLCC
Strong matchups between Grayslake Central and Lakes throughout the meet, but don't overlook an improving Antioch. Catherine Guckenberger (Sr., Grayslake Central) is an overwhelming sprint favorite, as is Bella Domier (Jr., Grayslake Central) in the mid-distance. Those two will be on a 4x400 that should be very good at facing off against Lakes once again. Lakes' Joycelyn Crum (Sr.) will be called upon to perform all over the meet. Antioch has throws' favorite Charlee Kempf (Jr.) in both throws, as well as Shyanne Hernandez (Jr.) over 17' in the LJ. Finally, watch Grant teammates Noelle Patrick (So.) and Melissa Ketter (Sr.) in both 100h and 300h.
South Suburban Blue
Good competition especially between Lemont, Bremen, Tinley Park, and TF. South at the top. Janiya Lucas (Jr., TF South) and LaTonia Johnson (Jr., Bremen) face off in the sprints. The most compelling races may be the 4x100 and 4x200, where TF South and Tinley Park can push each other to 48-high and 1:47-1:48 in each event.
Southwest Prairie
Jumps showdown between Elissa Perkins (Sr., Plainfield East) and Jahnel Bowman (Jr, Plainfield South)! Can both go over 40' again in the triple jump? A good 4x800 match is set between Minooka, Yorkville, and Plainfield North, and throw Joliet West into that mix for a 4x400 race that will push 4:00. Ava Mabry-Spencer (Sr., Plainfield East) will be Bowman's main competition over the sprints. Laila Richardson (Jr., Minooka) in the discus is the main threat to Courtney Clabough (So., Yorkville) doubling wins in both throws. Finally, Gabriella McCollum (Sr., Minooka) has closed the gap on Audra Soderlind (Sr., Oswego) including beating her in the 3200 at DNIP. These two lead a deep-distance field.