The dynamic friends took apart the competition in the sprints and distance events at the Akinosun Elite Invite (Laura Duffy photo)
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RESULTS I VIDEOS I PHOTOS
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CHICAGO IL-
As expected, the weather significantly impacted the meet's outcome. With a healthy amount of snow and ice covering area roads, plus temperatures well below zero when adding the wind chill factor, it is certainly understandable that safety is a priority.
The Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center was still a lively place to come and watch tremendous action.
Two of the state's most prominent athletes paused from playing basketball to make their season debut on the track. Katelyn Lehnen (Jr., Chatham-Glenwood) and Allison Ince (Sr., Normal Community) are close friends and competitors. On a day for competitive action, they divided and conquered some of the best competition of the early season.
Lehnen entered in the 60 and 200-meter events. She would cruise to the finals of the short dash with the fastest time, 7.64. After a flurry of elementary and middle school races, Lehnen returned for the final and blistered the field with a state-leading 7.63 time. "It was my first race since the outdoor season and I feel real good," Lehnen stated. She has bulked up her strength and conditioning game to her repertoire. "Our school has a trainer that I've known since middle school," adds Lehnen.
Lehnen closed out her day with a thrilling win in the 14th section of the 200m, negotiating the bank in another state leading 24.67.
Rocking her new New Balance kit courtesy of the NIL deal she recently signed, Ince was more than eager to get in her first competition of the season. The 1600m is an event that she is familiar with and as expected, Ince moved right to the front. Fellow frontrunner and standout in her own respect, Charlize Trinity-McKenzie of Cedarburg, Wisconsin latched on to Ince. It was close for about 1000m, then Ince gradually pulled away for the easy win- US#2 4:46.67. "It feels real good to finally get my first race in," said a smiley Ince during the aftermath.
In his first appearance at the Akinosun, Michigander Shamar Heard put on a show of his own. The soon-to-be Tennessee Volunteer won the 200 and 400. He just missed meet records in both events held by Brandon Battle (formerly of Edwardsville). Heard clocked 21.56 (US#6 ) and 48.96.
It was a pleasant surprise by a previously mysterious Jaidyn Johnson of Bloomington North HS in Indiana. Johnson came in with a 6.88 PB but unhearded. That would change with a blistering 6.79 prelim and later a US#5 6.76 in the final. "I was hurt most of last season, so my goal is to stay healthy and see what happens," he stated.