Seasoned hurdler and emerging long jumper Simone Bernard is ready to lead the Dolphins back to prominence
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The long jump is an event that could several performers in the 19' foot range. Let's start with a strong contender like Dominique Johnson of Huntley. Her coaches indicated they have worked on improving her technique, which will aid in significant improvement. In fact, they feel that Johnson could leap close to 20 feet during the undercover season. That remains to be seen as Johnson's best effort is 18'6.75" during the indoor season.
Whenever you see the name Zawadi Brown (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) there is always optimism regardless of the degree of seriousness in the event. She is the state's top returner during the undercover portion of the season. She leaped 18'8.75" in a handful of attempts. After taking third at the Top Times last season, there is reason to believe more Brown offerings at a meet near you.
Na'Kyrah Cooks (Sr., Kankakee) will be a new face on the 3A scene when the state series starts. Cooks has started out slow because of basketball season but has a respectable indoor best of 18'4." That appears to be the case again, but if the 19'6.25" that Cooks leaped outdoors indicates what is to come, whew!
Keymora Hayes (Sr., Cahokia) is the reigning 2A Top Times champion who jumped 18'11" during the outdoor season. Hayes is another athlete who splits part of the winter as a point guard for the Comanches basketball team.
Teagan Sullivan (Sr., Dunlap) took second to Hayes at the Top Times meet last year and took runner-up honors at the state meet. Sullivan has a personal best from outdoor of 18'10.75" and is also on par to eclipse the 19-foot barrier.
Gabriela Manzano (Sr., New Trier) earned all-state honors last year and competed through some of the post-season that netted a personal best of 18'3.75." She kicked off the indoor campaign with another PB 18'7.50" and the next stop could be 19 feet.
If Kali Waller (Sr., West Chicago) can be more consistent, she will be a jumper that the state of Illinois will have to respect. Her PB 19-2.25 is from a small invite last April, and there are no pit or wind conditions to report. Waller has produced several 18-foot efforts, but none of those were during the indoor season. Maybe 2024 will be different.
Charlotte Deines (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]) does not play a winter sport to our knowledge, nor have we heard of any injuries. Thus, it was a little puzzling not seeing her compete in any unattached or club meets (she is a member of TNT) during December or January. She is an 18-foot-plus performer despite not competing since May at the IHSA State Championship.
Aaliyah Thurman (Sr., Hillside Proviso West) could be a force during the indoor season if she can maintain good health. She has PB of 18'10.5" from the outdoor season. Add in all-state and an appearance in the summer AAU National final, which brings a smile to the Panthers' coaching staff.
Key athletes to watch: Madison Kacevicius (Sr., Greenview), Simone Bernard (Jr., Chicago Whitney Young), Kyla Motley (Jr., Palos Height Shepard), Jahnel Bowman (Sr., Plainfield South), Noelle Hunt (Jr., Champaign Centennial), Brooke Sawatzky (Sr., Naperville Central), Olivia Dalson (So., Naperville Neuqua Valley), "Gabi" Gabija Karvelis (Jr., Naperville Neuqua Valley), Maya Reed (Jr., Hinsdale Central), Kiara Wesseh (Sr., Newark), Lena Jackson (Jr., Peoria Richwoods)
A fury of girls warming up at the Illinois Top Times led by Joscelyn Dieckman
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Mya Strahm (Jr., Elmwood) plans to go out on top in her final year of high school competition, as she will be graduating early next winter and heading to the University of Tennessee. In the meantime, Strahm is staying busy by breaking facility and all-time state records, including the current record of 13'7." Health is wealth, and Strahm indicated that she feels strongly about eventually eclipsing the unthinkable
Joscelyn Dieckman (Sr., Dekalb) has competed in club meets as a member of RISE. But the word is that Dieckman is performing in winter gymnastics. However, we know she will compete for the University of Wisconsin at the next level. She is on paper coming into this season as the top-rated vaulter who cleared 13'1.5" last year to win the Top Times Title. It will be interesting to see if she can close the gap on a sizzling-hot Mya Strahm.
Chelsea Wetzel (Sr., Dunlap) has a personal best of 13'1.5" from the outdoor season, but since we are focusing on the indoor season, Wetzel's PB is 12'9.5" and the defending 2A Top Times champion. The soon-to-be Illini vaulter is a very dangerous performer with a winning pedigree. When the dust settles, she will be among the Titans.
Claudia Ifft (So., Bloomington), the last of the famous vaulting family, contributed to her team's causes during her first high school season. Ifft has cleared 12 feet several times in the past, and with patience during this season, we could see some eye-popping marks.
Teagan Johnson (Sr., Seneca) is the reigning 1A Top Times champion with a clearance of 12'3.75", and she will be on the vault grind within several weeks after the basketball season is over.
Key athletes to watch: Jocelyn Cechowicz (So., Geneseo), Kamila Szczepanik (Jr., Naperville Neuqua Valley), Jaiden Knoop (Sr., Frankfort Lincoln-Way East), Hailey Soriaga (Sr., Oswego East), Payton Carter (Sr., St. Joseph-Ogden), Reagan Gibson (Sr., Indian Creek), Josie Gates (Sr., Lake Villa Lakes), Brooklyn Kondritz (Jr., Mt. Zion), Reese Wolfe (Jr., Chatham-Glenwood), Alexa Weter (Jr. Mt. Zion), Tess Carlson (Jr., Newark), Allison Geen (Sr., Effingham St. Anthony), McKena Miglorini (Jr., Lockport)