Pure speed will be the name of the game during this indoor season
It is hard to believe that Katelyn Lehnen is a junior in high school. The star speedster from Chatham-Glenwood High School is the state's top returner with a blistering 60-meter dash in 7.45 and an appearance in the New Balance Nationals Indoor semi-final. We will see how fast she will go in 2024. In her only performance of the season, Lehnen blazed 7.63 at the Morolake Akinosun Invitational. At the time, it was the fastest time in the state.
Kee'lani Whitlock (Jr., Chicago Kenwood) is ready to move into the Broncos leadership role after the departure of Asia Thomas and Jaliyah Shepherd. Whitlock earned her chops competing as a secondary sprinter when the top dogs rested. However, in last year's state championship, Whitlock earned a state gold medal as a member of the victorious 4x100 relay.
Courtney McDonald (Jr., Plainfield East) was one of the state's top surprises during the preseason, closing with a state-leading 7.62. McDonald made one of the biggest improvements in the nation, whose previous best was 8.30.
Zawadi Brown (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) cannot creep on her foes because she is too fast and has a target on her back.
Angelena Bullocks (Jr., Chicago Whitney Young) transferred in from Westinghouse and immediately cashed in return on investments for Coach Phillip Wallace. Bullocks dropped two marks under 7.80 including a 7.71 during the preseason.
Symone Frison (Sr., Chicago Lindblom) has shown to be one of the state's most consistent short speedsters. Frison hadn't competed as much during the preseason as in the past.
According to her coach, Marques Lowe, Naomi Bey-Osborne (Jr., Kankakee) missed the entire preseason but is healthy and ready to go when the time is right. That time may be in the prime of the indoor season in March.
Key athletes to watch: Martyna Ostrega (Sr., Buffalo Grove), Elaine Paul (Sr., Elmhurst (York), Simone Bernard (Jr., Chicago Whitney Young), Kali Waller (Sr., West Chicago), Mariyah Robinson (So., Chicago Simeon), Lamonyca Bryant (Jr., Chicago Westinghouse), Lena Jackson (Jr., Peoria Richwoods), Layla Lerus (Sr., Chicago Lycee' de Francais), Kaitlyn Vahling (Sr., Teutopolis), Kiara Wesseh (Sr., Newmark), Symone Holman (So., Joliet Catholic Academy), Jordan Hamb (So., Chicago Southshore International), Ranaisha Howard- Dunigan (Sr., Bartonville Limestone), Reese Mitchell (Sr., Normal University), Alaina Lester (Sr., Belleville Althoff), Martyna Ostrega (Sr., Buffalo Grove), Gabriela Manzano (Sr., Winnetka New Trier), Trinity Noble (So., Kankakee)