Prospect will attempt to run ahead of the fray this weekend in Chucktown
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The weather and elements are expected to come into play-
This weekend is expected to be one of the coolest in recent times. The forecast calls for 60, 68, and 69 degrees on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The real feeling may feel warmer because of the high humidity, but the 2002 state championships come to mind in which the Fahrenheit did not top 55 degrees over the three-day competition period. These are ideal conditions for distance runners who are always worried about heat-related maladies such as dehydration and heat stroke. On the flipside, sprinters, jumpers, and perhaps some throwers need warmth to maximize their full potential.
For the fans, a chance to escape the cooler season-long confines of the northern and/or Chicagoland seems ever present. Some may want to peruse it like a picnic and catch a sun bath, but they may be in for a rude awakening. At least high winds and rain will be at bay for the most part.
The team title will be up for grabs by these three teams-
Homewood-Flossmoor, Mt. Prospect (Prospect), and Chicago Whitney Young are ranked in order in the final MileSplit IL Power Rankings. Of course, Chicago St. Ignatius and Plainfield North will have their say before the end of the weekend.
Homewood-Flossmoor coach Tywon Green commands a full set of firepower led by junior Mariyah Robinson. She is in three individual events (100, 200, 400) and most likely the 4x100 relay. Diaymond Childress (So.) won her 100H sectional in an impressive 14.26w and will be counted on to contribute significantly.
The Knights of Prospect are the defending champions and will be very tough to beat. Coach Pete Wintermute's squad will score in all four relays.
Whitney Young has a strong cast led by senior superstar Angelena Bullocks, who will be shooting for the all-time state record in the 100 and 200. She will likely be on two relays (4x1, 4x2). And maybe the 4x4. Jumpers Layla Bonilla and Courtney Burt will need to rise to the occasion as well. And don't forget Simone Bernard (Sr) in the short hurdles.
There will be athletes like Daisha Brunson (Jr., Conant), Sophia Shapiro (So., Edwardsville), and Amy Carhee (Sr., Schaumburg) in the hurdles. They will attempt to disrupt the order of things.
Mia Sirois is the center of the storm for the distance girls-
Barrington star Mia Sirois has not disappointed in her sophomore season on the distance scene. Everyone knows her indoor exploits, and while other girls have stepped up their game, the road to winning the 3200 and 1600-meter runs will go through her. Sirois clocked a class best/IL#2 10:08.55 and will look to go faster if the weather stays in the 60s to the lower 70s as expected. Allison Shutler (So., Chicago St. Ignatius) gave Sirois a run for her money at the Distance Night In Palatine. The confidence is there for sure.
If Shutler doesn't win, she will give teammate and fellow star Annika Swan an opening in the 1600. Swan is the state leader at 4:44.95. The junior will have her hands full in the 800 beforehand; the odds are strong, but tough if that makes sense.
Bullocks is eyeing an all-time best weekend-
As mentioned earlier, Angelena Bullocks is looking to have the most memorable weekend of any sprinter at the state meet. She will be eyeing the all-time 100m record of 11.41 set by Alexandria Anderson and Morolake Akinosun. Bullocks has produced a windy 11.33w last month at the CPL Championship. In that one, the wind was +4.9. Bullocks does not have a wind legal mark this season, but based on her indoor prowess in the explosive and strength events, she is on target to burn the track up.
The second individual event will be the 200, after the 4x100 relay. Bullocks ran 23.79 during the indoor season to set the state all-time best mark. So far this season, it has been status quo, clocking an all-conditions best of 23.65. Her long-time rival friend Mariyah Robinson will not make things easy. She has a swift 23.91 on her resume. The all-time best is 23.32 by Anderson.
We did not forget about Dom Johnson-
Huntley super senior Dominique Johnson happens to live in the state's best triple jump era, which lasted nearly ten years. During that time, there was a flurry of 40-foot performers, including her big sister Alex Johnson, who ranks #9 all-time. Dominique is a two-time state champion with a personal best 43'3." In addition to cementing her legacy will be the task of taking a great long jump field. Johnson leads the herd with a best of 20'3" but there are two others over 20 feet including Sherrie Emmons (Sr., Rich Township) and Kyla Motley (Sr., Shepard).