By Michael Newman

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This weekend’s 3A State Meet beginning Friday afternoon could be one for the record books. Katelynne Hart surpassed Kayla Beattie’s state meet record in the 3200 Meter Run during a race at Glenbard West in April. Now Hart has the chance to break the state meet record on the Big Blue Oval Saturday afternoon. Hart will try to repeat her double win from a year ago in both the 3200 Meter Run and the 1600 Meter Run.

Enyaeva Michelin ran under 2:10 last week in the 800 Meter Run. She is in reach of the five-year old state meet record of Courtney Clayton (2:07.05). That could fall in the finals by Michelin or perhaps Madison Marasco.

Homewood-Flossmoor and Naperville North finished second and third in last year’s team championship behind Glenbard West. Homewood-Flossmoor has the pieces to win their first team title. Naperville North is looking to become the first 3A school to win state championships in Cross Country and Track & Field in the same school year.

Here is a look at some of the teams to watch as well as previews of every event that will be contested this weekend.

State Meet Schedule | State Meet Records

 

3A Teams to Watch

 

Naperville North

Qualifiers – 12 (9 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Outlook – The Lady Huskies finished third in 2017. They have been looking forward to this weekend for the past year. North should be the slight favorite entering this meet. There are so many ways that they can score. The Lady Huskies are the defending 3A State Cross Country Champions as well as finishing second last December at the Nuke Cross Nationals. Naturally, they should score some big points in the distance events. Sarah Schmitt and Alex Morris should pick up big points in the 3200 Meter Run. They have two of the top five sectional times. Schmitt will also run in the 1600 Meter Run and could provide points. Hannah Ricci, who ran 4:58.75 at Illinois Top Times, could also be a threat in the event. Ricci could be a part of the 3200 Meter Relay with Claire Hill that could finish among the top five. Hill could provide points for her team in the 800 Meter Run.

Halle Bieber has the top 3A time this spring in the 300 Hurdles and should be one of the favorites in the event. Bieber should also score points in the 100 Hurdles as well as helping the team to points in the 800 and 1600 Meter Relay. Safilla Allie jumped 18-10.5 in the sectional meet. She could be one of the top five at state if she has another good meet. Sarah Wastek could also get points in the Shot Put.

 

Homewood-Flossmoor

Qualifiers – 16 (13 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Outlook – The Lady Vikings finished second last year as Jaimie Robinson scored 36 of the teams 43 points. With Robinson now at the University of Alabama, the points need to come from somewhere else. The important thing is that this team that is deeper and better than a year ago. The key for Homewood-Flossmoor is having a good prelim day on Friday afternoon to get them in position for a trophy. That did not happen last year.

Their relay squads in the 400 and 800 Meter Relays are exceptional as they are among the top 3A teams in those two baton races. Expect them to get big points in both of those events. The 1600 Meter Relay is wide-open at this state meet. It would not surprise me if they score in that event. Homewood-Flossmoor will need points in the field events. Madison Myrick could score in either the High Jump or the Long Jump. Trinity Daniels could be among the top six in the Triple Jump.

Kaylah McCall was a surprise indoors in the hurdles and could be among the top five in the 100 Meter Hurdles. Jacqueline Bassey qualified in the 100 Meter Dash and Olivia Oliver made it to state in the 200 Meter Dash. Both athletes are the backbone to their relay success. One or both will need to qualify to the finals in their individual events for this team to challenge for the state title.

 

Belleville West

Qualifiers – 14 (12 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Outlook – The Maroons got a boost at the beginning of the season with the transfer in of LaQwasia Stepney from Cahokia. With Stepney in their line-up, Belleville West could contend for a top three finish. Stepney has one of the top times in the 100 and 300 Hurdles and could provide big points in both events. The junior could also get points in both the Long and Triple Jump. Jessica Coughlin has been hot on the track as of late as she qualified in the three sprint events. She is a good bet to make it to the 400 Meter Dash finals. With the 100 and 200 being so deep this season in 3A, it would be a bonus if she gets points in one of those events. Kelvi Searcy could also provide points for her team in the 100 Meter Hurdles.

It would be a bonus if Brittany Walker gets points in the Triple Jump. Belleville West qualified for Charleston in both the 400 and 800 Meter Relays. They have been strong in the past few meets and could get points if they have a clean prelim race at both distances.

 

West Aurora

Qualifiers – 10 (7 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Outlook – Chances of the Blackhawks challenging for a state title took a big hit when Dajour Miles had to drop out of the 200 Meter Dash in last week’s sectional meet due to an injury. Miles said afterwards that she was hoping to be ready to go for this weekend. Miles ran the fastest state time in the 400 Meter Dash and ran a fast race in winning the 100 Meter Dash. She also helped West Aurora when she anchored her team to the win in the 400 Meter Relay. A healthy Miles could mean bug things to this school. If she is still hampered with the injury, it will be tough for West Aurora to get a trophy.

Freshman Victoria Spagnola has been a tremendous help for this team this spring. She could get points in both the 100 and 300 Meter Hurdles. With Miles not running the 200, she could be available for the 1600 Meter Relay if healthy. They ran 3:59.78 without her last week in their sectional race.

 

DeKalb

Qualifiers – 8 (6 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Outlook – Even though the Barbs finished third in their own sectional behind Belvidere North and Huntley, this team could contend for a trophy in this weekend’s meet. It could come down to the legs of Brimonet Buggs to take them to the awards stand. Buggs looked good in running fast times in winning the 100 and 200 Meter Dash in last week’s sectional meet. She could score in both of those events. Their relays looked strong running the fastest time in the state at sectionals in the 800 Meter Relay and second fastest by one hundredth of a second in the 400 Meter Relay. DeKalb could get big points in both of those events.

Sierra Long has a good chance of making the 400 Meter Dash. Katherine Olsen qualified in both the 3200 and 1600 Meter Runs and could score in either of those events. The small number of qualifiers means they need a good prelim round Friday afternoon. There is little room for mistakes if this team wants to finish in the top three.

 

Barrington

Qualifiers – 11 (7 Individuals, 4 Relays)

Outlook – The Fillies had a good sectional meet advancing 11 to this weekend’s meet. This team does have the potential to finish in the top five. Jocelyn Long has been running strong the past couple of meets. Long ran the state’s third fastest time last week in the 3200 Meter Run. She could finish in the top four in that race. She won the 1600 Meter Run last Thursday with teammate Molly FitzPatrick close behind. Both could make the Saturday’s finals. FitzPatrick will be one of the keys for Barrington in the 3200 Meter Relay team that could finish in the top five on Saturday.

With the 3A Pole Vault wide-open this season, Nicole Barcroft or Sarah Ruesch could get points in that event. The Fillies qualified all four relays to state. Their 3200 Meter Relay is tough. Getting one of the other three relays to Saturday would help Barrington immensely.

 

Belvidere North

Qualifiers – 13 (11 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Outlook – The NIC-10 champions surprised some by winning the DeKalb Sectional qualifying 13 in the process. They could get into the top five this weekend with no mistakes. Madison Diercks has been a surprise this season in the High Jump. She could get points in that event. She also will challenge for a spot in the Saturday finals in the 1600 Meter Run. Their quartet, with Diercks, ran 9:34 to win the sectional 3200 Meter Relay. This team is able in running close to 9:20 and get their team some points.

Kate Oteng-Bediako will be in the discussion to get some big points in the Triple Jump. She could also finish in the top nine in the Long Jump. Kayla McGuire and Sabrina Elder both qualified in the 400 Meter Dash. One getting to the finals would be a plus. Both athletes will be an immense help in the team’s 3200 and 1600 Meter Relays.

 

LaGrange Lyons Township

Qualifiers – 17 (13 Individuals, 4 Relays)

Outlook – The Lady Lions had the biggest number of qualifiers to this weekend’s state meet with 17. Part of that has to do that their sectional is not the strongest in 3A. Lyons Township could be in the top five. They do not have the quality qualifiers that some of the above-mentioned teams have. They could challenge for a top five team finish.

Sophia Slusarczyk could get her team points in the 100 and 300 Meter Hurdles. She will also help the quartet in the 1600 Meter Relay that could challenge for the state title. Kate Dickman qualified for the 1600 Meter Run and could be a surprise in that event. Emma Fink could also be a surprise in the High Jump. You could see their 3200 Meter Relay and 800 Meter Relay teams make it to Saturday. Advancing all four relays to Saturday would be a big plus.

 

Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

Qualifiers – 6 (5 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Outlook – The defending 3A champions do not have the numbers like they did a year ago. The quality is there to make a run for another trophy. Katelynne Hart has been lights-out all season in every race she has run. She will go after the state record in the 300 Meter Run as well as being one of the favorites in the 1600 Meter Run. She could pick up 20 points for the Hilltoppers in those two races. Lindsey Payne ends her storied career in the 3200 Meter Run. She could finish in the top five. Katie Hohe has showed improvement in every race and could finish among the top five in the 1600 Meter Run.

The 1600 Meter Relay is wide-open. The Hilltoppers, with Hart as their anchor, have a chance to make it to Saturday’s finals. Ashley Samuta could also pick up bonus points in the Triple Jump.

 

FIELD EVENTS

 

Long Jump

3A Seasonal Best – 19-10 – Hannah Morris, SR, Chicago Heights Bloom Township

3A Sectional Best – 19-0 – Hannah Morris, SR, Chicago Heights Bloom Township

Outlook – Hannah Morris, who finished second behind Jaimie Robinson last season, is the favorite in this event especially with Lyn’Nikka Vance not in the field. Vance has jumped 19-5 this season. Morris has almost a foot advantage in the sectional list ahead of the rest of the field.

It does not mean that the Bloom senior is a lock for the win. Ameia Wilson of Danville jumped 19-0.25 in April and is capable of the big jump. LaQwasia Stepney of Belleville West only jumped 17-8.5 last week. She does have a 19-4.25 best at her conference meet and could push Morris. Laila McNeal of Alton has also gone past 19-feet and could make her presence known in the front.

There were nine athletes behind Morris last week that are within six inches of each other. Will there be an athlete in that group that will jump to the front? Safilla Allie of Naperville North jumped 18-10.5 last week and could be one to watch. Also keep an eye on Raelyn Robinson of Glenbrook South, Isabel Maletich of Downers Grove North, Ozzy Erewele of Springfield, and Nicole Nguyen of Wheeling that could get near that 19-foot mark. This is a deep field. There could be some great athletes that do not make the finals.

 

Triple Jump

3A Seasonal Best – 40-6 – Riley Ammenhauser, FR, Naperville Neuqua Valley

3A Sectional Best – 40-6 – Riley Ammenhauser, FR, Naperville Neuqua Valley

Outlook – One of the bigger surprises of last week’s sectional meets was the 40-6 jump by Riley Ammenhauser at the Plainfield North Sectional. It was more than a foot improvement of her 39-0 jump at her conference meet the week before. She is the hot jumper in the field. It will be interesting to see if that state meet pressure will affect her on Friday since this will be her first state meet.

Bloom Township’s Kyja Griggs will be Ammenhauser’s chief competition. The senior jumped 39-9 at her conference meet. She is the only other athlete in this field that has gone past 39-feet. There is a good group of athletes that have gone past 38-feet including Isabelle Kennedy of Lake Park, Kate Oteng-Bediako of Belvidere North, Trinity Daniels of Homewood-Flossmoor, Brittany Walker of Belleville West, Sarah Olojo of Lane Tech, and Isabel Maletich of Downers Grove North. Any of these athletes could leave Charleston Saturday afternoon with the state title in this event.

 

High Jump

3A Seasonal Best

5-7 – Lynette Latocha, SR, Oak Forest

5-7 – Jenna Pauly, SR, McHenry

3A Sectional Best

5-6 – Grace Daun, JR, Wauconda

5-6 – Lynette Latocha, SR, Oak Forest

Outlook – This event is wide-open. There are nine 3A athletes this outdoor season that have cleared 5-5 or higher. Lynette Latocha and Jenna Pauly lead the way with clearing 5-7. There is a group at 5-6 led by Jennelle Rogers of Oswego, Tabor Gleason of Cary-Grove, Meghan Fletcher of Grayslake Central, and Grace Daun of Wauconda. Madison Myrick of Homewood-Flossmoor cleared 5-6 in an April Quad Meet. She has cleared 5-4 twice this season.

 

Pole Vault

3A Seasonal Best – 11-9 – Kelly Zehnder, SR, Roselle Lake Park

3A Sectional Best – 11-9 – Kelly Zehnder, SR, Roselle Lake Park

Outlook – No real favorite in this event but there are four athletes that I would keep an eye on. Kelly Zehnder cleared a personal best 11-9 at last week’s Wheaton-Warrenville South Sectional and leads all athletes heading into this event. Zehnder ended last season with an 11-0 personal best. Her improvement could mean an over 12-foot clearance this weekend. Brooke Misukonis of Bloomington, who finished second last year, has been consistently at or near 11-6. She would be someone to watch for. Cierra Kuipers comes from a good line of Pole Vault athletes at Kaneland. We could see her get an 12-0 clearance at this meet. Maggie Schutte of Quincy has also cleared 11-6. She could be a factor this weekend.

Jenna Pauly of McHenry, who is also one of the favorites in the High Jump, could be a surprise in this event. Noelle Jones of Lakes Community, Jess Streepy of Palatine, Katrina Krebasch of Fenton, and Kelsey Rothas of Lake Zurich are some of the other athletes to watch for.

 

Shot Put

3A Seasonal Best – 45-1 – Jasmine Mitchell, JR, South Holland Thornwood

3A Sectional Best – 43-4 – Jasmine Mitchell, JR, South Holland Thornwood

Outlook – Jasmine Mitchell has been queen of the 3A ring this spring. She comes into this meet with the 3A best mark both seasonal and from the sectionals. In six of her seven meets, Mitchell has gone past 43-feet. She could be tough to beat. Mitchell finished second in last year’s finals.

Mitchell’s chief competition will come from two athletes. Ellie Weltha of Bloomington has a best of 44-8.25 in 2018 and has gone undefeated outdoors in her five meets. Jaylah Morris of Zion-Benton has a 44-4.25 personal best at the end of April and should be a factor this weekend.

There are several athletes that could challenge for top five finishes. Keep a watch for Makiyha Blackwell of Hoffman Estates, Kelsie Johnson of Bloomington, Camille Clay of Stevenson, Morgan Reed of Thornwood, and Stephanie Montenegro of Lake Park.

 

Discus

3A Seasonal Best – 157-1 – Jalah Morris, SR, Zion-Benton

3A Sectional Best – 157-1 – Jalah Morris, SR, Zion-Benton

Outlook – Jalah Morris unleashed a huge 157-1 throw to win last week at Palatine. She could be the one to watch in this meet. Morris has been near 140-feet for most of the spring. Jasmine Mitchell of Thornwood threw 149-1 in an April quad meet. She did throw 143-9 last week at Lockport. She could take home the top prize. Ellie Weltha of Bloomington is the only other 3A athlete that has gone past 140-feet with her 141-5 throw at her conference meet. Her presence in the top of the standings this weekend is a good probability.

Some of the other athletes to watch for include Catie Daily of Machesney Park Harlem, Julia Reglewski of Grayslake Central, Kayla Mikottis of St. Charles North, and Alisa Fallon of Maine West.

 

TRACK EVENTS

 

4x800 Meter Relay

3A Seasonal Best – 9:12.83, Downers Grove South

3A Sectional Best – 9:12.83, Downers Grove South

Outlook – The times in this event have dropped as expected in the past two weeks. Downers Grove South and Hinsdale Central recorded the top two times last week at Plainfield North with South winning by two seconds. It was a surprise that the Mustangs ran that time led by a 2:13 anchor from Erin Reidy. They will be one of the favorites in the event with the possibilities of running sub-9:10.

It could be Hinsdale Central in this event especially with past experiences from this group. Grace McCabe, Kayla Byrne, and Reilly Revord were on the team that ran 9:04.27 to win the state title in 2016. The Red Devilettes finished second last year. A win on Saturday would cement the legacy of McCabe and Revord.

Schaumburg has a good group anchored by Madison Marasco that has run 2:10 in a relay this season. Barrington is a young team that could surprise some on Saturday led by freshman Molly FitzPatrick. Naperville North finished third at Plainfield North but without Hannah Ricci. Her in the lineup with Claire Hill could push this team towards the front. York ran a season’s best of 9:23.72 last week led by Sarah May and Katherine Tomaska. York could be under 9:20 in this race. Glenbard East could surprise especially with Lauren Huber and Cailyn Biegalski leading their quartet. Naperville Central finished just behind Naperville North and could also surprise.

Wheaton-Warrenville South, led by Samantha Poglitsch and Kaitlyn Nenninger, could finish among the top six if they can drop their time under 9:23. New Trier is coming on strong. If they have Marne Sullivan and Savannah Noethlich in their lineup, the Trevians could finish in the top three. Defending champion Belvidere North could be a surprise in this race. Oswego and Prospect are also teams to keep an eye on.

 

4x100 Meter Relay

3A Seasonal Best – 47.27 – Chicago Kenwood Academy

3A Sectional Best – 47.27 – Chicago Kenwood Academy

Outlook – This should be a dynamite final. That is, if the favorites get through the prelims on Friday afternoon. The top three schools in 3A are only separated by two hundredths of a second. Kenwood Academy looked strong in winning their sectional race led by Zakiya Johnson. DeKalb surprised some running 47.28 in their sectional led by Brimonet Buggs. Homewood-Flossmoor has been consistent in the front all season. Their best time of 47.29 was two weeks ago at their conference meet with Olivia Oliver and Jacqueline Bassey leading their pack.

Whitney Young, with two-time 100 champion Amira Young anchoring, could be a surprise. The Dolphins ran 47.51 at the Chicago City Championships. West Aurora, who ran 47.64 last week, could be a mystery depending on the health of Dajour Miles who anchored that team. Batavia has been hot of late with Tori Ortiz anchoring their quartet. Keep an eye on that team this weekend. Bloom Township has run under 48 seconds this season and could be within the top five mix. Springfield with Ozzy Erewele, Proviso West with Tanayea Kimbrough, Belleville West and Belleville East, along with Downers Grove North are teams that you could see in the finals on Saturday.

 

3200 Meter Run

3A Seasonal Best – 9:52.02 – Katelynne Hart, SO, Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

3A Sectional Best – 10:19.12 – Katelynne Hart, SO, Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

Outlook – I think we will see history made in this race early Saturday afternoon. Katelynne Hart, who is the defending 3A champion in this race, has run times we did not expect to see. At the Sue Pariseau Invitational in April. Hart ran an all-time Illinois best of 9:52.02. She surpassed the state meet best of 9:56.96 from Kayla Beattie seven years ago. I think she could get this record on Saturday possibly going under 9:50. She was very under control in running 10:19 last week in her sectional win.

The battle in this race should be for second. Sarah Schmitt of Naperville North ran 10:25.95 in that Pariseau race and should be the next runner in. Her team will be in a battle for points and a team title. Schmitt is also running the 1600 Meter Run. She might do what she has to do to  secure second or higher. Alex Morris has been running great the last couple of weeks running 10:37.53 at sectionals. Naperville North could also get big points from her. Jocelyn Long of Barrington had a fantastic double in her sectional including running 10:32.62 in this distance. She could push Schmitt to a faster time. Glenbard West’s Lindsey Payne is the 2016 state champion in this race and finished second a year ago. Duplicating that finish is a possibility for Payne.

This is a deep field. Melissa Manetsch of Libertyville ran 10:40 at Palatine in April and could be among the pack up front. Brenna Cohoon of Downers Grove South, Olivia Borowiak of Yorkville, and Katherine Olsen of DeKalb could be among the top five.

 

100 Meter Hurdles

3A Seasonal Best – 14.13 – LaQwasia Stepney, JR, Belleville West

3A Sectional Best – 14.23 – Kayla Walters, JR, Bolingbrook

Outlook – Kayla Walters has come on strong at the end of the season peaking at the right moment. The junior ran 14.23 to win last week at Plainfield North and will be one of the favorites this weekend. LaQwasia Stepney ran 14.37 for the win last week at Danville but has the 3A season’s best of 14.13 earlier in the year. It could come down to these two athletes for the win.

Halle Bieber of Naperville North could be among the top two in this event having run 14.47 behind Walters last week. Kionnah Weaver of Glenbard East ran a season’s best of 14.55 in her sectional win and could be a factor. Kaylah McCall of Homewood-Flossmoor ran a seasonal best of 14.26 in an April Quad Meet. She ran 14.77 to win at Lockport last week and will warrant attention in the front.

Victoria Spagnola of West Aurora is having a great inaugural high school campaign. The freshman ran 14.70 in her conference race. She might finish in the top four. Kelvi Searcy of Belleville West and Natasha Bernett of Lane Tech are some of the other athletes to watch for in Saturday’s finals.

 

100 Meter Dash

3A Seasonal Best – 11.59 – Ameia Wilson, JR, Danville

3A Sectional Best – 11.81 – Ameia Wilson, JR, Danville

Outlook – There was excitement in last year’s final and that race exceeded expectations. The same applies for the race on Saturday with another talent loaded field. Ameia Wilson appears to be ready for this meet after running 11.81 to win the Danville Sectional. She ran 11.59 in Texas at the end of March. Everyone overlooks Amira Young of Whitney Young. That’s a mistake if you do. Young comes into this weekend as the two-time defending state champion with a 11.81 seasonal best at the Chicago City Championships. Ozzy Erewele of Springfield ran 11.78 in her conference win two weeks ago, 11.89 behind Wilson last week. She will be a threat for the win.

Brimonet Buggs of DeKalb enters with the second fastest sectional time (11.87) in winning on her home track. Dajour Miles of West Aurora did not finish the 200 at her sectional due to an injury. Before that, Miles ran 11.92 for the win. If she is healthy, she could challenge for the win in this meet.

Taylor Gilling of Highland Park has been a pleasant surprise this spring having run 11.97 last week. Taylor Tilmon of Lakes Community was a triple winner in her sectional with a 12.04 time at this. Keep an eye on both in Friday’s prelims. Tori Ortiz of Batavia, Nya Carr of Buffalo Grove, and Jacqueline Bassey of Homewood-Flossmoor should also challenge for a spot in Saturday’s finals. It could again take a time under 12-seconds just to make the finals.

 

800 Meter Run

3A Seasonal Best – 2:09.16 – Enyaeva Michelin, SR, Evanston Township

3A Sectional Best – 2:09.16 – Enyaeva Michelin, SR, Evanston Township

Outlook – Enyaeva Michelin’s sectional time of 2:09.16 at Niles West last week sets up an exciting final. The state meet record of 2:07.05 set in 2013 by Courtney Clayton is within reach. Both Michelin and Schaumburg’s Madison Marasco have a chance to reach that. The two raced last at Illinois Top Times in March with Marasco winning (2:11.44) by only 23 hundredths of a second. Marasco ran a great double at her conference meet with a 2:10.7 split in the 3200 Relay coming back to run 2:11.53 in the finals. Both runners will be coming off three races on Friday. How much will both have left for Saturday’s finals?

Stephanie Kriss of Highland Park will be the wildcard in the race. Kriss ran 2:11.93 in the Top Times race in March finishing third behind the two. The sophomore ran 2:12.67 last week and could take the win if either Marasco or Michelin falters.

The talent is deep for one of the top nine all-state positions. Marne Sullivan of New Trier, Cailyn Biegalski of Glenbard East, Mikenna Robinson of Neuqua Valley, and Yailene Leon of Wheeling all have the talent to run under 2:13. Claire Hill of Naperville North, Taryn Christy of Geneva, and Lorie Cashdollar of Edwardsville are some of the other runners to watch for.

 

4x200 Meter Relay

3A Seasonal Best – 1:40.31 – DeKalb

3A Sectional Best – 1:40.31 – DeKalb

Outlook – DeKalb had one of the surprise sectional performances in any event last weekend running 1:40.31 to win on their home track. Their time is almost a second faster than what Homewood-Flossmoor ran (1:41.24) in winning last week at Lockport. Crete-Monee ran 1:42.09 in that Lockport race and should be a factor in the front. It should take a time under 1:40 to win this race. Belleville West and Loyola Academy are the only other teams under 1:43 and should fight for a top five finish. There are a ton of teams in the 1:43 range including Naperville North, Wheaton-Warrenville South, Wheaton North Prospect and Batavia that could run in the mid 1:42’s that could ensure a spot in the finals. West Aurora, and Evanston are teams also to watch.

 

400 Meter Dash

3A Seasonal Best – 54.19 – Dajour Miles, JR, West Aurora

3A Sectional Best – 54.19 – Dajour Miles, JR, West Aurora

Outlook – The question of how healthy Dajour Miles is after suffering an injury in her sectional meet. She did have a hip injury going into last year’s final but won the state championship running under 55 seconds. Miles ran a strong 54.19 to win in her sectional. If she is 100% healthy, she could run in the 53’s.

Two athletes could also push for the win or push Miles to a fast time. Taylor Tilmon of Lakes Community finished seventh in the finals last year. She ran a great triple last week at Palatine that included running 55.66 to win the 400. Janii Jenkins of Warren Township finished third in this race last year. Jenkins has run 55.81 this season and could be a threat for the win.

There is talent behind these three but more than a second behind. Jessica Coughlin of Belleville West leads the pack having run 57.11 last week to win her sectional race at Danville. Daijah Brown of Joliet West, Sierra Long of DeKalb, Alexis Knight of Wheeling, and Ta’jae Jackson of Bolingbrook have all run under 57.5 and could be in the hunt for a top five finish. Lincoln-Way East’s Taylor Wright is peaking at the right time and could be a surprise in this race.

 

300 Hurdles

3A Seasonal Best – 43.85 - Halle Bieber, JR, Naperville North

3A Sectional Best – 44.48 - Halle Bieber, JR, Naperville North

Outlook – Halle Bieber is the defending champion in this event with the state’s second fastest time under 44 seconds (43.85). In the sectional race, Bieber easily won running 44.48. LaQwasia Stepney of Belleville West ran 44.67 in winning her sectional race. When it comes to seasonal bests, Bieber has the fastest time ahead of Stepney by almost a full section.

There are no other runners in this field that have run under 45-seconds. Kionnah Weaver ran a personal best 45.02 in her sectional win at Wheaton-Warrenville South. Nicole Nguyen of Wheeling, Honesty Sandlin of Hononegah, Victoria Spagnola of West Aurora, and Sabrina Schlenker of Batavia all have run under 45.3 and will challenge for a top three spot. Kayla Walters of Bolingbrook and Erin Oleksak of Palatine lead a group that could also earn all-state honors

 

1600 Meter Run

3A Seasonal Best – 4:47.80 - Katelynne Hart, SO, Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

3A Sectional Best – 4:52.95 – Enyaeva Michelin, SR, Evanston Township

Outlook – The last time that Katelynne Hart and Enyaeva Michelin raced against each other was at Detweiller Park in November with Hart winning that state championship. This could be another fantastic race. Michelin enters with the fastest sectional time (4:52.95) that after running 2:09 in the 800 Meter Run. Hart ran 4:47.80 in her conference race. That was run after she ran 2:13 in the 800 Meter Run. The two athletes have not had anyone near them in races this spring. The dynamics of the two possibly side-by-side should be interesting to watch. If all works out, the finals race would be the fifth race within 24 hours for Michelin, fourth in the same time span for Hart.

There are five runners that ran under five-minutes in their sectional race. It may take that kind of fast time just to make the finals. Jocelyn Long of Barrington ran 4:56.06 at Distance Night in Palatine and will be coming back from the 3200 Meter Run. Sarah Schmitt of Naperville North edged Corinna Pena of Neuqua Valley at last week’s Plainfield North Sectional with both running under five-minutes. Both could be factors in this race. Isabelle Christiansen of Oswego just qualified for state running 5:09. She has run 4:58.01 this spring and will be someone to watch.

Madison Diercks of Belvidere North, Audrey Ernst of St. Charles North, Erin Reidy of Downers Grove South, Katherine Olsen of DeKalb, and Taylor Frommer of Hononegah all have run under five-minutes and could make their way into the finals. Freshmen Samantha Poglitsch of Wheaton-Warrenville South and Molly FitzPatrick of Barrington will both run earlier in the 3200 Meter Relay. Both have run 5:00 at this distance. Either or both could dip under five in the prelims or finals. Katie Hohe of Glenbard West ran a 5:01.99 personal best last week. She could be a surprise in this race.

 

200 Meter Dash

3A Seasonal Best – 24.02 – Ameia Wilson, JR, Danville

3A Sectional Best – 24.46 – Ameia Wilson, JR, Danville

Outlook – Ameia Wilson ran 24.02 at her conference meet and could be considered the favorite in this race. Taylor Tilmon of Lakes Community ran 24.54 in her sectional and should be watched for. Ozzy Erewele of Springfield clocked 24.29 in her city meet at the end of April and is another athlete that could win this event. Brimonet Buggs of DeKalb and Taylor Gilling of Highland Park have run under 24.7 and should be athletes to watch for. Amira Young of Whitney Young, Mikenna Robinson of Neuqua Valley, Lyn’Nikka Vance of Crete-Monee, and Kaniyah Rush of Romeoville are among a group of runners to watch to possibly make the finals on Saturday.

 

4x400 Meter Relay

3A Seasonal Best – 3:56.41 – Evanston Township

3A Sectional Best – 3:56.41 – Evanston Township

Outlook – This should be a wide-open final with no clear favorite. Evanston Township ran 3:56.41 at Niles West last week and as the fastest 3A time. There are nine schools between 3:58.31 and 4:00 minutes in 3A this spring led by Wheeling and Naperville North. West Aurora, New Trier, Glenbard East, Glenbard North, and Lyons Township are some of the teams that I would keep an eye on.