Zoei Johnson has put her name on the map as a member of the 2030 track and field class (Mary Ann Magnant photo)
The year 2030 may already be here in terms of talent, as witnessed on the national stage. In Illinois, the 8th-grade class is loaded! Arguably, one of the most talented, if not gifted, in-state history. Of course, time will tell what is to come in future dividends.
A nice handful of national champions to watch out for-
The name Molly Mocko is familiar to distance running fans. Hailing from Glen Ellyn and a future runner for Glenbard West, Mocko competes for the Zephrys Track Club. In her second indoor nationals competition in a row, she notches her first victory, taking the 2-mile with a time of 10:40.99. Mocko has a personal best of 10:24.85i. In addition, she has run amazingly in the Mile (4:53.12i) and 800m (2:14.50i). These indoor marks would be great during the outdoor season and among the current high school division.
Chicagoan Brady Becker will be a part of the Lane Tech High School program next year this time. It has been a wonderful indoor season for the rapidly emerging talent who represents the Pinon Track Club during the off-season. In his first set of indoor nationals, Becker improved in the mile to 4:45.02 with a full outdoor season ahead of him. It was this performance at the Adidas Indoor Nationals that Becker earned his first national gold medal.
The Legacy Runners Athletic Club is one of the top youth track and field clubs in the state. Led by its head coach, Zontavius Johnson, they have earned respect on the national stage. Now, coach Johnson has a superstar in his daughter Zoei Johnson. The multi-talented youngster has performed well on the field, racking up staggering numbers in the triple jump (38'4.25") and long jump (17'3"). Johnson earned a silver medal in the TJ at the Adidas Indoor Nationals. However, it's the 60 High Hurdles that has been her primary event. Johnson steamrolled to a national title in Virginia Beach with a time of 8.90. Keep in mind the height of the hurdles was 30", not the high school standard of 33", at which she competed at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships.
Zoei Johnson has put her name on the map as a member of the 2030 track and field class (Mary Ann Magnant photo)
The year 2030 may already be here in terms of talent, as witnessed on the national stage. In Illinois, the 8th-grade class is loaded! Arguably, one of the most talented, if not gifted, in-state history. Of course, time will tell what is to come in future dividends.
A nice handful of national champions to watch out for-
Zoei Johnson has put her name on the map as a member of the 2030 track and field class (Mary Ann Magnant photo)