It Is Time For The Illinois Indoor Championships!

Date: Saturday, March 28

Time: Field events- 8am; Track- 11am

Location: Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center

Opening thoughts: It is still "ONE CLASS. ONE GOAL. ONE STAGE." This is the official mission statement of the Illinois Indoor Championships, which, in its initial edition a year ago, shook up the Illinois championship indoor track and field scene. Guess what? Most of the talented athletes have again chosen to come to the 'Mecca' to put on a show.

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60m: We could see the deepest and fastest overall final in state history if everything unfolds correctly. The top five performers are all here, led by Rayna Raglin (Sr., Alton) at 7.42. She comes in with the third fastest time in state history, only trailing the great Aaliyah Brown (Lincoln-Way East) and Angelena Bullocks (Chicago Whitney Young). Brown's 7.34 record should hold up, but getting under 7.40 is possible. Look for Samaya Butler-Batista (Chicago Jones), Mariyah Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor), and Jamia Esther (Danville) to present a stiff challenge. 

800m: A loaded field in which all 12 starters have run under 2:19, including state leader Polina Krupsky (Lake Zurich), whose 2:11.07 is considered national elite status. Krupsky will see a challenge from Lily Hodneland (Sr., Hinsdale Central), Julia Rodney (Jr., St. Charles North), Kylie Simpson (Sr., Hononegah), and more!

200m: This event has eight sections, and the surface temperature gets really hot at #5 with the section leader listed at 25.17.  We could see our first sub-24-second clocking of the season in the "championship round" with Daisha Brunson (Sr., Hoffman Estates Conant) leading the charge.

The relays will be something that you don't want to miss. The 4x800 might be void of a few top squads, but the state's depth remains strong. State leader St. Charles North is fully loaded and will push those behind them to new heights. In the 4x200, Homewood-Flossmoor appears to be loading up in preparation for their upcoming trip to the Texas Relays. They could go under 1:38! And in the 4x400, look for a state leading time somewhere under 3:58.

We did not forget about Jordan Hamb (Sr., Chicago South Shore), Jaloni Wiley (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), and Jordan Dimke (Sr., Hononegah). Hamb is the national champion in the high hurdles but will contest the dash. She is recovering and setting her sights on the Texas Relays. Wiley is the state leader in the shot put and is searching for the first 50-foot performance of her career. And Dimke is IL#2 in the high jump at 5'8."

60HH: Just like the dash is going to be historic for the girls, the hurdles will be a repeat for the boys. Four of the five prelim winners have run under 8.00. If this holds true, it would be a first in a championship format. Only a national championship can boast of that. Janardie Turner (Jr., Rockford Jefferson) is the state leader and one of the best in the country, having clocked an all-time best 7.74. He will be opposed by some great foes led by Jalyn Cole (Sr., Belleville West).

4x800: To prove this is the deepest event in the state, six of the top-10 teams will not be in attendance, yet it will still be a must-see event. IL#2 and #3 Lincoln Way Central and Downers Grove South will be front and center, and with an opportunity to run under 7:55.

4x200: If the fast section #3 is clean, we could see all five teams under 1:30, and maybe a team under 1:28.00. That unit could be Plainfield East.

1600: For the first time, the state's top distance runner, Philip Cupial (Sr., Downers Grove North), will compete at Gately. Cupial has competed in fewer than a handful of games this season. Watch him go for something crazy on Saturday. 2A standout Thomas Jochum (Jr., Glenbard South) will get his fiercest challenge of the season. Both could be in the 4:12 range.

200: This might be the second deepest event of the day. All seven sections are filled with 22s. The final section will be a dandy with senior ladens:  Levi Milder (Morrison), Nasir Robinson (Plainfield East), Brady Anderson (Morrison), and Chase Cutler (Hononegah)