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Chicago, IL--
Just a handful of meets are presented on Thursday evening, ahead of the heavy weekend slate. Here is a snippet of what to watch for at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center.
Girls-
The first big event on the track will be the 60m, led by Chicago South Shore junior Jordan Hamb, who returns less than a week from a solid performance at the Homewood-Flossmoor ABC Invitational. The multi-All-American Hamb takes a break from the hurdles and will seek a personal best against Courtney McDonald (Sr., Plainfield East) and London Willingham (So., Homewood-Flossmoor). Notably, McDonald has the top seed of 7.69 and typically commands races if she can get a quality block start.
Chicago Whitney Young appears to be loading up their 4x200 relay for the first time. If so, watch for the outstanding speedster senior Angelena Bullocks to run third or anchor. The Dolphins will be chasing the state lead by HF, with Plainfield East on their tails. Bullocks is slated to run the 200m near the prologue's end. If so, look for a blazing time that may catch some excitement from the crowd.
Emily Stecky (So., Chicago Depaul Prep) will highlight the distance field in the 800m. Stecky has been impressive thus far this season, looking to improve on her state-leading 2:15.55.
In her season debut in a new kit, Mariyah Robinson put on an outstanding show for Homewood-Flossmoor. The junior transfer from Chicago Simeon, ran an IL#2 60m (7.45) and a state-best 24.32 in the 200m. She will attempt the 400m here and go after the state lead, which is held by Madalyn Marx (Jr., Mahomet-Seymour), who ran 57.56 on Wednesday evening. Kankakee senior Naomi Bey-Osborne is entered but is questionable due to a tender Achilles heal. If she is able to compete, she will challenge Robinson for the title.
The triple jump could be the field event of the day with Hamb and Layla Bonilla (Sr., Young). Hamb has leaped over 40 feet outdoors and is considered one of the nation's best in this event. Bonilla has leapfrogged 39'5.25" as her personal best.
The state leading shot putter, Jaloni Wiley (Jr., Homewood-Flossmoor) will be in the building. Her teammate London Jarrett (So) is one of the favorites for the high jump.
Boys-
Chicago Payton listed their IL#1 4x800 on the record, but there are rumblings that their coaching staff will individualize all four key runners. If so, let's start with the 800m. Tra'Monti Williams (Jr) and teammate Vaughn Collier (Sr.) will be the favorite. We could see a winning time under 1:57 if the pacing is right. Preston Ellis (Sr) had the state leading mark in the 800 but will contest the 400. The fourth runner is Declan Slavin (Jr.), looking to run a robust time in the 1600m.
Logic West (Sr., Kenwood) and Kayden Smith (Jr., Lincoln-Way East) will look to crack the 50-second barrier in the 400m.
The 1600m could be a special one as two cross country all-staters, Nicolai Martino (Sr., Winnebago) and Evan Parker (Sr., Niles North), lead the charge. There are five runners seeded under 4:30.
We could see our first sub 22 second performance of the season in the 200m. Armond Boulware (Sr., Kenwood) is seeded at 22.11. His teammate is long jump favorite senior Parrish Hartley Jr., and he has clocked 22.29. Isaiah Kuli (Sr., Lincoln-Way East) is ready to stand out with his 22.29 PB.
One of the state's top shot putters is Enijel Shelton (Sr., Evanston). He has IL#6 at 55'6.25."
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