Check out the full meet visual of the 1st Morolake Akinosun Elite Invitational recap by Jamie Nicholson
===========================================
When the spanking-new Gately Indoor Track & Field Center was completed in early 2020, there was a feeling that Chicago could become a major force during the indoor season... then the pandemic hit. It was a thud for us as the entire 2020 indoor and outdoor season was shut down due to COVID-19.
Now with teamwork among local members of the track and field community, February 5, 2021, was the day it all came together- on Superbowl weekend, no less.
The first event of the evening was the boys' 200m prelims- nine of them mixed in with a slate of no-shows. However, when senior Juan Manaog of Chicago Lane Tech dropped a huge 22.79 PR in the very first section, the grumblings from the grandstands were that this track surface could be very fast. Hot boy senior Brandon Battle of Edwardsville confirmed it two heats later with a blistering 21.86 that rocked the building.
On the other side of the girl's ledger, a group from Detroit, Michigan, known as Track Life Track Club, introduced their brand in impressive fashion. Led by Kaila Jackson's 24.59, she was followed by Leeah Burr (24.77), Comari Hawkins (25.03), and Brooke Gray (25.13)- a total of five from their stables made the finals.
Mixed into the action were some quality distance races. The boys got it started with many competitors hitting on PRs, including section three winner Kai Connor of Westfield, IN. He clocked a very satisfying 4:23.17- #1 for the Hoosier state. But the talk of the day was freshman Gavin Genisio of Benton, who clocked the US#2 time for a freshman in 4:26.61. He is someone to watch for the next three years. Keep in mind, there is still a championship section to go on Saturday.
Jayden Ulrich of East Alton-Wood River got into the national talk conversation in the girls' shot put. With just a few competitors in the field, she was here for a business trip. Her best toss was her third one, which sailed 46'9.75" and was good for US#3. She has so much more to give us in 2021. The Indiana University-bound senior is just scratching the surface of her talent.
Some technical issues by Dillon Peters of Andrew HS in the triple jump could not prevent him from skying 46-9 and nabbing the US#12 spotlight.
Day 2-
Day two opened with smiles and a warm feeling from the faithful who appeared delighted with track and field action back in full force. Athletes from all over the state and parts of the Midwest gave it their best effort on the superfast Mondo track surface.
Boys-
1600m: The fast section #5 needed to put their foot on the pedal after Friday's winner, Kai Connor of Westfield, IN, clocked 4:23.17. Micah Wilson (St. Charles East) and Arthur Graham (Naperville Central) pushed away from the field after a conservative first half in 2:10.6. With just 150m remaining, the pair locked together like dueling rams, but Graham was able to shake loose off the final turn and power home ahead of Wilson for the smoking win 4:16.81-4:16.98. Both earned high national rankings, with Graham ranking #15.
800m: Coming into the meet would be the debut of the state's top returner, Niko Schultz of Plainfield South. The senior had previously given up football, now that it has moved to the frosty winter session. More devotion to training and fitness means some interesting return on dividends. Immediately, Schultz was off to the races after the gun with 25.0 and 55.0 circuits. His lead would shorten slightly with Julian Head of Naperville North pursuing at 500m. Schultz's strength was too much as he powered in a big personal best of 1:54.41, US#6. Ryan Maseman of Plainfield North closed out strong for second in 1:56.87.
60HH: Kevyere Mack of Peoria Richwoods and Logan Buck of Pekin both represent One Motion Athletics and favorites to the final. In it, Mack got the final finish lean over Buck 8.29-8.30. It was swift enough to be top 35 marks in the country.
60m: Jaylin Holmes, representing East Kentwood, MI, and one of the most notable short sprinters in the Midwest, completed his season debut with a personal best win of 6.91. Kyle Burgoni of Unity HS was second in 7.02 PR and IL#1
400m: Once again, it was the road warrior, Brandon Battle of Edwardsville, on a rampage this season. There were loud whispers that he was attempting to break 48.00. Instead, he got out lightning fast in 22.9 for the first circuit and clear of a leg-weary but still dangerous Niko Shultz. Battle pumped very hard, hitting the tape in 48.69.
Long Jump: Jayden McCulskie-Green of Sandwich took the state lead with a 21-8 effort.
Girls-
1600m: Some key defections prior to the meet could not deter an event still filed with quality. Annie Christie of the famed Carmel IN program trailed Kylie Finger of Wisconsin for much of the race but moved in front for good with about a quarter-mile to go and clocked a PB 4:58.39
800m: Downers Grove South junior Sophia Mcnerney apparently worked on some high-quality work during the traditional base period part of the year. She took hold of the competition with an opening 66.4 (400m) and dragged them for four laps. The final result was a personal best by six seconds in 2:18.68.
60H: The Illinois State University signee Gracie Jessup of Salt Fork (repping Vipers Track Club) improved on her state lead with a 9.22 PB, which just missed the top 50 nationally.
60: Prelim leader Kaila Jackson of Detroit Renaissance (Track Life U) posted a fleeting 7.53 but had to bow out because of a sore hamstring. Sophomore Asia Thomas of Chicago Kenwood (Hounds & Foxes TC) took advantage of the situation and won her season debut in 7.67.
400: Leeah Burr of Track Life U/Renaissance HS was the heavy favorite coming in, and she roared through the first opening lap around 25.1. She would later lock up with 100m to go as teammate Brooke Gray came on strong for the win in a personal best 56.34.
Long Jump: Kylie Gormann of Centralia stays undefeated with an 18-2.5 winner.
