By Michael Newman

The hotbed of 3A field events this season can be found in south suburban Chicago Heights on the Bloom Township campus. They have Jelena Rowe who finished second at the state meet in the High Jump. She came back in the middle of June to win the national championship at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals clearing 5-10. Hannah Morris jumped a then seasonal best 19-3 to win the Long Jump at the 3A State. She earned All-American honors when she finished fourth at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. Both will be up top on the leaderboards this season. Two national championships could head back to Bloom Township in June.

The field events could be open for some new faces to step to the top of the podium. Only Courtney Morgan in the Shot Put and Hannah Morris are the only state champions coming back.

Long Jump

Top 25 Returnees

Outlook – Hannah Morris is back to defend her state title in this event. She will have pressure up front as three other all-state athletes are back in this event. Allison Woerner (Chatham-Glenwood, senior) jumped 18-6 ½ to finish fourth at state. Jaimie Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor, senior) jumped 18-18 ¾ in her sectional meet. She finished fifth in the state finals and could be a threat in this event. Sydney Jones (Kenwood, junior) finished eighth at sate and is the other all-state returnee.

One athlete that you should watch is Maddie Manganiello (Downers Grove South, sophomore). She jumped 1-6 at her conference meet as a freshman in 2016. She qualified for the state meet but fouled on all three attempts in the prelims. I think we can expect some big things from her in the next couple of months.

Kameesha Smith (Thornwood, senior), Corey Rinella (Palatine, senior), and Sarena Bolden (Galesburg, sophomore) are the only other athletes coming back that went past 18 feet outdoors last year. Emma Jones (Benet Academy, senior), Saffilla Allie (Naperville North, junior), and Aryn Lyke (St. Ignatius Prep, junior) are some of the other athletes to watch.

Triple Jump

Top 25 Returnees

Outlook – Jaimie Robinson won the 2A state title in this event in 2015 as a sophomore. Her junior year was up and down but ended on a high note. She finished third in the state finals. It was at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals where she made some huge noise where she jumped a personal best 41-10 ½ to finish third and earn All-American honors. She went past the 40 foot mark in five meets last year. Robinson has already jumped 40-5 this season indoors. The IHSA State Record is 41-5 set 11 years ago by Deana Simmons. Robinson is a good bet to get that record. 43 feet or better in this event is possible for this talented senior.

Four other athletes that finished in the top nine earning all-state honors return led by Isabel Malentich (Downers Grove North, junior) who finished fifth. Natasha Schaffer (Prairie Ridge, junior) who jumped 38-6 at her sectional, Timber Terrell (Wheeling, senior), and Aryn Lyke are the other returnees. You should also watch for Kelsey McLaurin (Barrington, senior) and Lota Onua (Plainfield East, senior) are other athletes to keep an eye on.

High Jump

Top 25 Returnees

Outlook – This will be a tough event with eight athletes returning having cleared 5-6 or higher outdoors. National champion Jelena Rowe finished second at state and would like to win that title. Six other all-state athletes return led by third place Kristin Higgins (Geneva, senior) and fourth place Ololade Ayoola (Lincoln-Way East, senior). Both are talented to win the state title.

Kameesha Smith, Katie Mans (Alton, junior), Grace Daun (Wauconda, sophomore), and Sydney Anderson (Yorkville, senior) were all-state last year and will look to be the last jumper standing on that Saturday in Charleston. Lenae Ludy (Plainfield South, senior) cleared 5-8 last season and should also be an athlete to watch in this event.

Pole Vault

Top 25 Returnees

Outlook – This event is wide open with only two 3A all-state athletes back from last year’s finals. The focus should be on Ali Munson (Benet Academy, senior) that won the 2A title. She cleared 12-9 in the process with 13 feet or better in sight heading into this season. Alyssa Morello (Lake Zurich, senior) made the finals last season but finished 13^th. She is the only other athlete back that cleared 12 feet or better outdoors last season.

Nikki Ogorek (Normal Community, senior) and Brooke Misukonis (Bloomington, junior) are the other all-state athletes back. Others to watch for include Samantha Fisher (Prairie Ridge, senior), Emily Gier (St. Charles East, senior), Taylor Ferguson (Belvidere North, junior), and Lauren Seaver (Normal University, junior).

Shot Put

Top 25 Returnees

Outlook – Courtney Morgan (Metea Valley, senior) will look for her third state title in this event after winning as a freshman (2014) and last year as a junior. She was consistent last year in winning the title with none of her outdoor meets below 44 feet. She should better her 46-9 mark that she achieved last April with a good chance of surpassing 48 feet.

This event will be tough with five other all-state athletes from last year’s finals back led by second place finisher Evangeline Harris (East St. Louis-Senior, junior) who achieved her personal best (45-7 ¼) at the state meet. Ellie Weltha (Bloomington, junior), Alexandria McCoy (Rockford Auburn, senior), and Lauren LaDere (Lincoln-Way East, senior) are all capable of going past 45 feet this spring. These three athletes also have the talent to finish among the first three places.

Brooklynne Wilson (Waubonsie Valley, senior), Maya Bowens (Schaumburg, senior), and Oluwasheyi Taiwo (Thornwood, junior) are among a group of athletes that could finish in the top five in 2017.

Discus

Top 25 Returnees

Outlook – We could see Courtney Morgan as the favorite in this event and leave Charleston with double state championships. Morgan finished third last year and returns with the longest returning throw (146-2). Jazzmine Poole (East St. Louis-Senior, senior) finished fifth and Ellie Weltha finished sixth. They are the only other all-state returnees from last year and capable of winning in 2017.

Brooklynne Wilson threw 134-5 last year and could be also in the mix for the state title. Jalah Morris (Zion-Benton, junior) and Ugochi Ihemeson (Hinsdale Central, senior) lead a pack of throwers that could be in the 135 foot or better range and finish in the top five.