ESPNHS Track & XC

It was perhaps one of the most diverse state championships in Class A history between the top three trophy winners.

Moweaqua (Central A&M) muscled their way to a first championship with power and strength. The Raiders picked up big points in the throws and hurdles to score 59 points.

The runner-up spot went to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on the strength of two young ladies: seniors Sydni Meunier and Angel Gaesser. They helped churn out 48 points in the middle-distance and relay arena.

St. Joseph-Ogden took the third and final team plaque with 46 points with long distance star senior Chelsea Blaase and standout sprinter/jumper senior Rachel Ballard leading the way.

Meunier and Gaesser form strong running pact-
It’s not a secret that Meunier and Gaesser are close teammates. But what is perhaps hidden is that the dynamic duo are very good friends who have competed together in a variety of sports since the sixth grade. GCMS has no cross country program so the pair uses the fall season to compete in volleyball to stay fit. Gaesser also played basketball during the winter session.

The spring season seems to bring out the best in the two runners.

After Gaesser assisted her teammates in earning one point the 4x100 relay it was time to go to work. The next event would be crucial for the Falcons. They needed to strike it big in their best event. Meunier got out well after the cut in bolting fast to the pole- Gaesser chased hard. The first 400 was clocked in 61.8 by Meunier. They were seemingly light years ahead of the chase pack entering the backstretch. Meunier continued to press the pace through the 600 mark. Gasser tired a bit over the last 200 but was able to hold off the surprisingly feisty Kristen Paris (Sr., Fisher) for second place. Meunier won going away in a personal best 2:11.30.

Meunier returned a bit later to breeze in the 1600 over 3200 champion Chelsea Blaase in 5:07.88.

The final event of the Spartan’s pair legacy was cemented in winning the 4x400 in a solid 3:59.22. It was very appropriate for Meunier and Gaesser to finish things off before heading into the sunset.

Field events enjoy a super day-
Often times the field events will get attention on the front page story because of a super human performance of one athlete.

It would be different this time.

Central A&M throwing ace senior Janie Howse would lead a strong contingent in the discus; she won with a healthy 140-7. Two other throwers eclipsed the 135-foot mark including teammate junior Genny Rose Stringer who placed third (137-9). In all it 11 of the 12 finalists exceeded the state standard of 112-3.

Megan Lauzon (Jr., Rushville-Industry) kept the pressure on the heavily favored Whitney Walker (Sr., Illini Bluffs) after leading in Thursday’s preliminary round. Lauzon was able to improve from her 42-9.25 to 43-9.5 on Saturday. Walker moved up well the 43-6 output fell short. Anisa Razo (Sr., Ottawa Marquette) also threw over 40-feet with a solid 40-1.75.

Katie Bloch (Jr., Argenta-Oreana) seized her shining moment with she tied a US#2/IL#1 high jump of 5-10. Upon being declared the winner at 5-8, Bloch asked event officials to place the bar up to 6-0 instead of the IHSA record of 5-11. The three attempts fell quietly short, but perhaps 2013 will be the year that Melinda Morris’ 1980 long standing record will fall.

The sprint action did not disappoint-
South Holland Seton Academy’s 4x100 upperclassmen quartet of Jasmine Gardner, Mykel Adams, Nancy Jeanty, and DeJanae Terry finally achieved a feat that many supporters thought they could, an IHSA record. The four young ladies got the stick around the track nicely in setting a meet record 48.51. Eureka ran well but had to settle for second with a very fine time of 48.63.

Sullivan Co-op took a bit of a chunk off of the 4x200 record (1:43.35) set last year by then 1A champion Aurora Christian with an impressive 1:42.82. Starlet Paige Neuhauser took the baton on the anchor leg and blazed the final curve with whippet appeal- so much that Seton Academy’s Terry had no answer and settled for a distant second in 1:44.87.

Moweaqua’s Madison Renfro and Taylor Adcock took care of the hurdle titles. The senior Renfro won in a speedy 14.55. Last year she ran 14.99. Adcock completed the sweep in 44.46.

Update: At about 1:20 p.m. ET Thursday, a tweet from Terry Toohey -- a Delcotimes.com writer who's been covering this story since last weekend -- stated that Eric Futch has been reinstated for the state meet by the PIAA.
(original story, published two hours earlier, below)

Penn Wood (Lansdowne, Pa.) senior Eric Futch, ranked US#1 in the 400 hurdles after his Penn Relays victory, Thursday morning sought reinstatement into the Pennsylvania AAA state meet (starting Friday) after an unusual disqualification last weekend.

Futch was to appear for an appeal before the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Directors in Chambersburg, Pa. at 11 a.m. Thursday, according to a story at Delcotimes.com. Two previous appeals had been denied this week by the PIAA after Futch was disqualified from the District 1 meet in Coatesville last Saturday.

Futch, an all-around sprint/hurdle star for the traditionally powerfully Pennsylvania program who also was the New Balance Outdoor Nationals 400H champ last spring, had already won the 300 hurdles (37.08) and 200 (21.23), and was planning to run on the 4x400 with his team. Seeking shelter during a brutally hot and sunny afternoon, Futch reportedly sat down in a tent near the awards stand. He was then told that he could not sit there and had to leave. An argument ensued between Futch and two members of the awards staff, and he eventually left.

The story goes on to say a second similar argument occurred between Futch and awards staff after he won the 200. Then meet director Harry Lewis DQ’d Futch after he said Futch ignored his request to leave the track. The report filed by Lewis states that Futch was disqualified for “unsportsmanlike conduct” under rule 4-6-1 of the National Federation rulebook. State rules indicate such a DQ also includes suspension for the following (state) meet.

During the week since, reports of the incident on Delcotimes.com and other publications, and social media responses to those reports, have raised several issues concerning the incident and the meet in general. The PIAA and meet management have come under fire for not only the harshness of the suspension to a national class athlete, but also their inability to adequately protect athletes having finished their races and waiting at length for awards (some with events yet to contest) from the heat. An earlier story from Delcotimes.com indicated that the PIAA state meet and District 11 meets (two examples) had tents for both recovering and waiting athletes, as well as those needing medical attention. Not so at the District 1 meet. A secretary for the district admitted it was a problem and the kids had no place to go.

Yet another Delcotimes.com story by a different reporter in attendance dug deeper into the scene, describing one official telling Futch he’d never amount to anything and other ugly or unjust aspects of the situation – including a press box confab he overheard between officials that smacked of vindictiveness toward Futch and Penn Wood, and triggered the DQ.

Online responses to the stories and other social media have not surprisingly strongly called for Futch to be reinstated and shamed the PIAA and meet management for their handling of the situation. An online petition has been set up at change.org with more than 300 signatures. But it hasn’t all been one-sided. Other comments from supposed eye-witnesses cited disrespectful and profane comments from Futch, and one message board post at pa.milesplit.com from meet announcer Bill Lott said the reporter’s comments about the press box conversation were “laced with embellishments, misconstructions, and/or fallacies.”

What is clear is that a difficult situation was caused by tough field conditions, tempers flared, one of Pennsylvania’s great athletes has been suspended from the state meet, and a final bid is being made Thursday for reinstatement.

The most recent Delcotimes.com story also adds that if board denies Futch's appeal, he and his family could seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in court to block the suspension.

Post-state note book-

Wow, what a weekend it was in Charleston for the girls state championship. The 40th edition was perhaps the best meet top to bottom in IHSA history. There were over a half-dozen meet or all-time records set to further cement any argument.

So what’s in the water?

There could be several factors as to why the girls have gotten mighty good over the last several years. 1) Better coaching of girls- coaches are using the latest coaching techniques as well as modern technology in dealing with girls. Some examples include nutrition, training, and female health concerns; 2) media- there is no longer a “Berlin Wall” up. Today’s athletes can hop on Dyestat/ESPN HS or some other medium to find out what their counterparts are doing. It’s that easy and instant inspiration is born.

There is no doubt that Illinois sprinters, field event, and distance athletes are at the top of the national food chain. Of course, talent rich states California, Pennsylvania, and New York have yet to have their state championships meets. Regardless, the land of Lincoln should be looking pretty when it’s all said and done.

Lots of all-time bests/hits to the national elite list-
The Wheaton-Warrenville South Class 3A 4x800 meter relay became the first Illinois team to break 9:00 with their sick 8:59.04 clocking. Aside from it being the freshly crowned US#1 mark in the country, the top three finishers put a serious hurting on the all-time state leaderboard. Second place Glenbard Ellyn (Glenbard West) 9:00.72 and third place finisher Mt. Prospect (Prospect) 9:06.18 move up to IL#2 and IL#5.

Evanston super senior hurdler Margaret Bamgbose showed that she was a true team player maxing out in four events that enabled her mates to earn a third place trophy. However, she dazzled the crowd in the Class 3A 300H with a US#1 41.11. Bamgbose made up for not finishing last year’s final when she tripped over the first hurdle. It’s also quite interesting that no-one outside of Shalina Clarke has ever run faster. The legendary Evanston great Clarke holds the top five times (40.24+, 40.40, 40.53, 40.61, 40.68).

Morolake Akinosun (Sr., Aurora Waubonsie Valley) finally got what she wanted, a state championship medal. She also got a bonus in the name of an all-time record. Akinosun tied the immortal Alexandria Anderson’s (Chicago Morgan Park) sizzling 100 mark at 11.41. It was just two weeks prior that doubts were setting in from the Akinosun camp because of a sore hamstring. But divine faith and great trainers lent a hand and the rest is history. Oh, by the way, the mark is US#2.

Kandie Bloch (Jr., Areana-Orgenta) kind of crept up on her competition if one considers that she placed second in the Class A high jump two years ago before slipping to fourth last year. Bloch rebounded during this past indoor season by winning the IPTT title and copping the US#8 mark of 5-8. But she peaked at the right time in the state championship. After winning the title at 5-8, Bloch cleared 5-10 on her second attempt. She asked for the bar to be moved to 6-0 instead of the IHSA all-time record of 5-11. She missed heartily on her three attempts and settled for the consolation prize: US#2.

Newcomer Brittny Ellis (Fr., Gurnee Warren) quietly introduced herself to the Illinois high school fans. Sort of. She kindly kicked the door in with several good performances and especially in the 3A 400 with a US#14 time blistering the track and shutting down Cameron Pettigrew (Jr., Chicago Payton) 54.08- 54.41. Ellis produced the fastest time of all the three classes. She will be the next Illini superstar if she can stay focused, hungry, and injury-free.

There have been several great 3A 800 battles in recent years but none as great as the Courtney Clayton (Jr., Rockton Hononegah) and Lindsey Rakosnik (Sr., Lombard Glenbard East) showdown. These two young ladies may have produced the prototype of what an elite half-miler in this state need to be. It is going to take someone with great speed, endurance, and strength to get into 2:08-2:09 range on the regular. On this occasion, Rakosnik and Clayton set a blazing opening pace that left the field off guard. After hitting the 400 in 62.3, they closed out a hard fought battle lifting both runners under 2:10. Clayton 2:08.48 and Rakosnik 2:09.23- IL#4 and IL#7 marks all-time respectively. It was only the second time in state history that two girls have gone under 2:10 in the state championship. Also, consider the fact that 12th place (last) was 2:18.21. How about Jahnell Horton (Sr., Evanston) running 2:14.86 and only getting 10th? It’s not hard to say that this was the deepest race in state history.

If there was any race that was scary to qualify in, it was the 3A 1600 preliminaries. Of the 12 finalists, seven of them broke 5:00. Haley Goers (Sr., Hoffman Estates) was the final qualifier at 5:00.97! She would go on to finish seventh in the final at 4:58.68. It is easy to say that the “mile” is no longer the IHSA doormat event.

The IHSA Class AA meet had two huge storylines: Chicago Lindblom junior Shamier Little's quest to win four individual golds and the quest for Charday Crawford-led Springfield Southeast to defend their team title for outgoing head coach Tom McBride (and in memory of the late assistant coach Dana Rountree).

The team vs. individual hype was fun while it lasted. Little got her hurdles titles (100 and 300) and 400 decisively enough, but Crawford had too much speed for her in the 200. In fact, with the 100 win as well and two winning relay anchors, Crawford's weekend could stand up pretty well with anyone's in the meet. She led a record-breaking day for Southeast, which tallied 63 points. Melrose Park Walther Lutheran, who moved up from Class A this year, outlasted Little's Lindblom team, 46-38 (all 38 by Little), to take the runner-up trophy.

The Spartans unleash full assault on the field

After Friday’s preliminary round, Coach McBride had to be pretty ecstatic with six total team entries into Saturday’s final. His group included two relays (4x100 and 4x200) and four individuals (Crawford, Brion Portis, Shawnise Stelivan, and Shaniera Wilson).

The team’s heavy hitters would be Crawford, Portis, Stelivan, and the relays.

Portis picked up big points when she won the triple jump with a fine effort of 39-2.5 nwi. She improved by over a foot from the prelims (38-1). Portis also picked up vital points in the long jump by placing 6th. Her teammate Stelivan did even better with a third place effort in 17-10.5.

The major fireworks though, would soon begin on the track.

The 4x100 began its defense against a solid field. The first two legs saw Walther Lutheran running hard and perhaps even slightly ahead. Stelivan moved incredibly hard on the final turn, and it was all Crawford on the anchor as she put to bed any thoughts of an upset. The Spartans replaced their own record with a new one in 47.53.

Crawford would go on to pick up three more victories in the 100 (11.48), 4x200 (1:40.38), and the 200 (24.14). As good as the 100 time was it was incredibly wind-aided (+3.8). Still, a great win is a great win.

Little was in the middle

Everyone knew this day was coming... but it was still unbelievable that it actually happened. Little accomplished a feat that no one other athlete in IHSA history has ever done. She competed in four pretty compressed events without any trepidation, winning the 100H, 400, 300H, and finishing second in the 200.

The arduous journey began in the 100H. At the sound of the gun, Little actually wasn’t the first one to the initial hurdle. Samone’ Thompson (Sr., Champaign Central) got there first. However, her lead would evaporate very quickly as Little turned on the rocket jets and left the field in setting a meet record 14.02. It would also be the best time of any athlete in the meet, legal wind or not.

The first real test would come in the 400 against foe and friend Megan Paul (Sr., Mundelein Carmel Catholic). Paul is having a great season and would love nothing more than to defeat her friend in her signature race.

The first half of the race Paul attacked the field while Little sat back and bided her time. Finally, with 150 left, Little pushed hard and ran even with Paul at the top of the homestretch. The pair wouldn’t stay together long as Little surged away to a comfortable win in 54.19. Paul ran a personal best 55.21 as a consolation prize. As well, it made Little two-for-two in the record department.

The third race would be actually be the defining moment of the four-event log. The 300H is arguably the most taxing event in high school track and field. It would be even tougher because it’s right after the 400, the events just 15 minutes apart!

One had to wonder if Little would finally break down after two days of non-stop competition. But according to her mother, their plan was already in motion and there was no time to think about failure.

Little settled in the blocks and ready… bang, the gun sounded the race and it was Thompson ahead of Little and the field again. She must have thought the only way to break Little would be to storm to a big lead. But that didn't work in the previous event, either, ultimately costing Paul a better time.

Thompson led the first four hurdles comfortably. Little began to move hard near the end of the final curve. It was the sound of the meet announcer that appeared to energize Little and the crowd more as she closed in on her goal of a third title. The final few hurdles were all Little as she stormed home in a fast 42.80 - her third consecutive win and record. The feat left the crowd buzzing in disbelief.

The final event of the day would the 200. This race was undoubtedly be Little’s biggest challenge in going up against Crawford. Crawford had enjoyed an awesome day as well up to that point. She bolted out fast and won the race easily in 24.17 to stop Little’s record-breaking win streak.

The aftermath was all smiles for Little and her family. Little’s mother and coach Tiffany Mayfield said an old family remedy of sucking on peanut butter with her finger or eating it on a spoon helped Little stay energized. Perhaps her competitors should pick up on this source of success.

Busch kept the faith in 3200 win

“Never give up, don’t ever give up,” were some very wise words bestowed by the late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano in his regard to fighting cancer. Kristen Busch (Sr., Freeburg) may have heard these words somewhere before and applied it to racing. She admittedly was upset about being in the first section of the 3200 (slow heat). “I had one of the worst races of my life at sectionals,” she said after receiving her gold medal. “I was like I’m going to go out and run under 11:00; I just went out and ran against the clock.”

Busch set a high standard (about an hour before the championship heat) with a fine 10:54.74 - a huge improvement from her sectional mark of 11:49.

Busch said she didn’t know she know that she won the race overall until after the conclusion of the fast heat. It was unfortunate for Katie Adams (Jr., Marengo) and several other girls that they used the first half of the race as a tempo run. The opening mile was around 5:35 - pedestrian for a championship affair. By the time Adams decided to race hard with 600 to go, it was too late. A hard sprint over the final 200 would not be enough and she fell short in 10:57.48.

Quality performances all around

Adams would come back to win a kicker’s battle over Busch in the 1,600, 5:05.10-5:07.96. Adams pulled away with 200 to go to earn her first state championship.

MaShayla Kirksy (Jr., Melrose Park Walther Lutheran) continued the streak of a winner eclipsing the 19-foot mark in the long jump. It has been five straight years that the winner has accomplished this marvelous feat.

Sarah Bell (Jr., Bloomington Central Catholic) last won the pole vault title in 2010 as a Class A competitor. The one-time US#1 vaulter has gotten back to winning again, albeit it short of her personal best 13-0.25. Bell wasn’t satisfied with her 12-0 winner, but a gold medal looks the same whatever height was cleared to earn it.

The Lake Villa Lakes 4x800 would not be deterred by fast 2:17.9 lead off leg by Lombard Montini’s Brittany Fisher. The Eagles slowly chipped away at the deficit and used a strong 2:16.0 anchor carry by Danielle Griesbaum to seal the deal in 9:24.02. It’s the third-fastest time in the recently created 2A system.

Richton Park Rich South closed out the state meet winning the 4x400 in a record 3:52.64. The quartet of Cierra Garrett, Ninaa Edwards, Taylor Kriha, and DeAsia Garrett used splits of 58.3, 58.2, 59.2, and 56.9 to get the job done.

It is very fitting that the Illinois High School Association has dubbed the three-day track weekend as "The Spring Spectacular."

The 40th edition of the IHSA Girls State Championships were filled with awesome performances throughout all three classes, but as is customary, Class 3A would cap off things off in style with unpredictable team scores as well as most of the weekend's best marks.

Edwardsville won their first state championship, scoring 51 points. The Tigers had to sweat things out after the 4x400 because they didn't have a team entered. However, the high jump results weren't final and they had a scoring performance not yet tallied. Sophomore Deborrah Blackburn would finish fourth in the event and the seven points were enough to topple rival Belleville West (48.5) and Evanston (47) for the victory.

Junior Emmonnie Henderson provided the foundation for Edwardsville's victory, sweeping the throwing events, as anticipated. She is now three-for-three in the shot put after a second-day performance in which she improved to US#14 with a monster 48-2.5. She smiled for the interviews afterwards and uttered a few choice words: "I wanted to come out here and help my team win first... but next year I plan on hitting [the 50-foot mark]."

Henderson would later claim the discus title. She actually sewed up the 157-11 winning performance in Friday's prelim.

4x800 was epic

Sometimes the best races turn out to be those with little advance hype. Earlier in the season, one might not necessarily have picked an event like the 4x800 to make history at state or produce a nation-leading mark, but maybe coaches Paul Haas of Glen Ellyn Glenbard West and Rob Harvey of Wheaton Warrenville-South knew something others didn't. But certainly when Glenbard West produced an eye-popping 9:06.69 in their conference meet, and Wheaton South did one slightly better at the Lake Park Sectional with a sensational 9:06.25, the stage was set for greatness. There have never been two teams with season bests under 9:10 before the state preliminaries.

The two powerhouses advanced to Saturday’s final with ease. In fact, Wheaton South’s anchor McKenna Kiple jogged home with a 2:23 split to win the heat for the Tigers in 9:13.56. Glenbard West and Elmhurst York also did the same with their heat winners.

The final started out fast as Mt. Prospect (Prospect) decided to take matters in their own hand. Lead leg Christina Santiago paced the field through a solid 65.6 first 400 split and came around first in 2:14.7. Glenbard West rolled the dice with Maddie Nagle and she did well, but came home to a cluttered transition zone.

Palatine used their best runner, Tess Wasowicz, on the second leg and she opened up a sizable lead on the field. Palatine had a four-second lead going into the third leg. The Lady Pirates know a little bit about competing in the 4x8, having won state five titles in their glorious history. But things would soon change.

Glenbard West and Wheaton South came to life on the third leg. The Hilltoppers had their diminutive, but super aggressive Madeline Perez to get things going. The Tigers deployed Hope Schmelzle.

It would be all Hilltoppers and Tigers from this point on. Schmelzle ran her best ever race in a Wheaton South uniform, producing a scorching 2:11.2 split and putting her team in the lead for the final exchange.

It was dually noted the time just after the two anchors got the sticks: 6:50. This meant something around 2:10 would break the mythical 9:00 barrier.

Wheaton South’s Kiple pushed hard on her first lap, but could not shake the Hilltoppers' Emma Reifel. They both worked hard in tandem through the first 500, and then 600. The trailing pack, aside from Prospect, was running well but completely in the rearview mirror.

Finally, Kiple got a little a bit of separation from Reifel as they entered the homestretch, with the entire stadium abuzz and on its feet.

The announcer, Billy Poole-Harris, shouted, “8:56, 8:57, 8:58, 8:59” as Kiple desperately sprinted home with her teeth clinched. Reifel followed just a few strides back and obviously also under the former meet record of 9:04.14. The official time on the scoreboard displayed 8:59.03, a new all-time state best mark, IHSA meet record, and made WWS the first under 9:00 in Illinois history -- as well as a national leader.

Glenbard West, which really got the sub-9:00 talk started, ran an amazing 9:00.72 -- good for the second-fastest in state history and the fourth-best time in the country.

Wheaton South splits: 2:16.3, 2:19.7, 2:11.2, 2:10.5
Glenbard West splits: 2:15.8, 2:17.4, 2:15.0, 2:12.7

Prospect set a school record as well as a Mid-Suburban League mark, placing third in 9:06.18 -- also good for US#8. Anchor Lauren Poplawski left her best effort the track with a solid 2:15 leg.

It was also the deepest 4x8 in state history -- all twelve finalists were among the 75 squads in the country. Lagrange Lyons Township had the distinction of taking the caboose spot in 9:22.95, but their time would have finished first in Class A and second in 2A.

“We wanted to just come here and run our best… run our best for each other,” said the second leg Erin Herrmann after the awards.

“We didn’t have a goal to break 9:00… it just happened,” added lead off runner Amy Yong.

Akinosun vs. Brown: Split decision

There was some concern that the Aaliyah Brown (Jr., Frankfort Lincoln-Way East) vs. Morolake Akinosun (Sr., Aurora Waubonsie Valley) 100 dash duel would be a dud.

Well, not exactly.

Both superstar sprinters won their respective prelim heats easily. The stage was now set for a showdown that featured a true all-star cast with the likes of Cessily Jones (Sr., Plainfield North), Kim Azie (Sr., Bolingbrook), Savannah Carson (Jr., Naperville Neuqua Valley), and Cherise Porter (Sr., Villa Park Willowbrook). Seven of the nine finalists ran sub-12.00 to make it to the big stage. By all accounts, it was the best girls 100 field ever assembled in Illinois.

The meet officials decided it was best turn the races around to avoid a headwind. They would also be taking a chance that the wind would pick up and go over the allowable 2.0. The 2A race had been 3.8.

Akinosun tweeted that all she wanted for her birthday was an Illinois state title. “I’m not leaving here without one,” she would add.

The race was a blur as Akinosun got out of the blocks fast. She already had a few meters on Brown and the field before the halfway mark. It became a complete blowout for Akinosun as she displayed the dominance she put on her foes during the indoor season.

Akinosun tied the all-time state best of 11.41 with the immortal Alexandria Anderson (Chicago Morgan Park) set in 2005. The wind reading was +1.7. She could now rejoice in the one record that she wanted.

Brown finished well back in second with a 11.67 clocking. In fairness to her, she had to wait in the infield for the 4x100 medal ceremonies. The wait was a ridiculously long 40 minutes. This is something that meet officials should consider altering - having finalists in subsequent races not wait and sit for mandatory medal sessions.

Six of the nine finalists broke 12.00; another record for the books.

Brown came back in the 200 trying even the score. The race was contested into a slight head wind (-0.9), but no match for the “Brown Franchise.” She won easily in 24.18.

Redemption time for Bamgbose

In last year’s 300H, she tried to carry the weight of the team’s trophy chances on her back. The result was Margaret Bamgbose (Sr., Evanston) never finishing the race. This year she has simply gone out and done whatever the coaching staff has asked of her. She earned medals in the 100H, 200 and 4x100. But the 300H is the race that she most adores.

There would be no doubt this year, despite the defending champion Markita Rush (Jr., East St. Louis Sr.) in the field. Bamgbose got a safe and conservative start over the first few hurdles before turning it on late in the contest. She hit the tape in 41.11, the fourth fastest time in state history and only the third fastest in her team annals. The legendary Shalina Clarke has the other three previous bests. Bamgbose will now take her talents to the University of Notre Dame.

Tomorrow’s stars get their start today

Brittny Ellis (Fr., Gurnee Warren) is no stranger to big time track. She was a celebrated athlete in the youth ranks for several years. In her first state final, she was one of the favorites in the 400. Ellis took the challenge from Cameron Pettigrew (Jr., Chicago Peyton) and matched her stride for stride before pulling away late to win in 54.08. The IHSA doesn’t keep class records, but if it did, Ellis would hold it. She would later return to the 200 and place sixth in 24.88 despite a painful blister on her foot.

Maya Neal is also a talented freshman who hails from Naperville Neuqua Valley. It has been said that she fits the mold of former Waubonsie Valley legend Shakeia Pinnick in her multi-event talents. Neal placed third in the long jump with a great jump of 19-1. She also placed eighth in the 300H and 4x100 relay. The future is definitely bright for Neal.

Distance races were as hot as the track

Kaylee Flanagan (Jr., Roselle Lake Park) has admitted on numerous occasions that she likes to run fast (sometimes too fast) from the beginning of the races. She has often times crossed the first mile of a deuce in a blazing 5:05. Her coach, on the other hand, prefers that she sits back and run more of a controlled and even race.

Flanagan showed Saturday she's coming around a little to the idea: She started the race under relative control, leading the first four laps with splits of 73.9, 2:30.0, 3:50.1, 5:12.4. Ariel Michalek (Sr., Oswego East) and Amanda Fox (Sr.,Naperville Central) were right on her hip.

Flanagan entered the fifth lap running her style. She picked up the cadence and that seemed to drop Fox back a few meters. It appeared to be over for Michalek, too, when the bell lap rung. Flanagan would hit the finish line in 10:30.47, while Michalek raced hard to the very end and held off Fox 10:33.53-10:35.17. The top 12 finishers would go on to break 11:00.

Courtney Clayton (Jr.,Rockton Hononegah) and Lindsey Rakosnik (Sr., Lombard Glenbard East) decided the best way to running fast in the 800 is to get out and do it. Rakosnik took advantage of her speed, strength, and endurance to lead the first 400 in 62.3. Clayton, who is also blessed with tremendous leg speed, remained patient until just after the 600 mark. She began to move on Rakosnik and actually passed her with ease. The end result was Clayton winning in a personal best of 2:08.48. As a consolation prize, Rakosnik also recorded a PB 2:09.23.

All 12 finishers broke 2:19 - a first in Illinois meet history.

Michalek returned several hours later to contest the 1600. Although she won in 4:53.37, it would not be an easy affair. The victory was set up by a tactical pace for the first three laps with as many as a half-dozen runners battling for the win. It was only 3:44.1 at the bell when Michalek asserted herself. She pulled away from a tiring Rakosnik to win her first title.

Photos by Bob Geiger


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

It’s amazing how different the pre-season outlook compares to what may happen inside O’Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University this weekend.

It was four months ago that the returning state champion East St. Louis looked to be the heavy favorite. However, the Flyerettes could not put it all together at the Normal West Sectional. Now, it appears as though there will be a new champion to crown early Saturday evening.

Belleville West, Evanston, Frankfort Lincoln-Way East, and Wheaton-Warrenville South appear to be at the top of the class. These squads have the most key qualifiers in position to score quick points in the finals.

There are several teams on the outside that could earn a trophy if things fall their way: Bolingbrook, Edwardsville, Naperville Neuqua Valley, and Plainfield North

Event-by-event breakdown

Sprints

100m
All-time best: 11.41; Alexandria Anderson (Chicago Morgan Park)-IHSA 2A Final, 2005
State Meet record: 11.41; Anderson- 2005
Top 5 sectional performers:
11.72 Aaliyah Brown (Jr.) Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)
11.75 Cessily Jones (Sr.) Plainfield (North)
11.91 Morolake Akinosun (Sr.) Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
12.06 Cherise Porter (Sr.) Villa Park (Willowbrook)
12.14 Savannah Carson (Jr.) Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
Outlook: If Brown (current US#2 at 100) and Akinosun (US#1 at 55 indoors, Illinois Prep Top Times champ) are at their best, and can overcome leg injury issues they've battled this year, this could be one of the top matchups of the meet. Hopefully, the warmer weather over the past two weeks will keep the top stars loose and able to make it through the finals. The field is potentially the best ever assembled with Jones added in. She has quietly had a solid outdoor campaign, but she will gunning for much more than second place when she touches down in Charleston. On top of that, she's been healthy all season. That could play into her favor. Porter has made her intentions very clear that she wants top honors in the event. Not listed among the top five qualifiers is Mystique Thompson (So., Rock Island). She ran a blistering 12.01 during the regular season. All ten girls who were projected as the top returners advanced to Charleston.

400m
All-time best: 52.63; Alexandria Anderson (Chicago Morgan Park)- IHSA 2A Final, 2005
State Meet record: 52.63; Anderson- 2005
Top 5 sectional performers:
55.99 Brittny Ellis (Fr.) Gurnee (Warren)
56.26 Courtney Clayton (Jr.) Rockton (Hononegah)
56.47 Brenna Detra (Jr.) Peoria (Richwoods)
56.65 Parker English (So.) Evanston (Twp.)
56.77 Jordan Shead (So.) St. Charles (East)
Outlook: This event will be strong with the influx of new blood and classification additions. Ellis is one of the nation’s best freshman sprinters; she has met all expectations thrown upon her. There are many out there who feel the deep sprint fields led by Brown and Akinosun will keep the pressure off of Ellis. Clayton will take a crack at the rare 800/400 double. English could give her team the boost it needs in the title chase if she can make the final and score big points. Detra passed up an opportunity to score well in the 300H to run the quarter-mile.

200m-
All-time best: 22.96; Alexandria Anderson (Chicago Morgan Park)- Jr. Nats; Carson CA, 2005
State Meet record: 23.32; Anderson- 2005
Top 5 sectional performers:
24.46 Morolake Akinosun (Sr.) Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
24.49 Cessily Jones (Sr.) Plainfield (North)
24.51 Margaret Bamgbose (Sr.) Evanston (Twp.)
24.51 Cherise Porter (Sr.) Villa Park (Willowbrook)
24.89 Aaliyah Brown (Jr.) Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)
Outlook: The half-lapper is not as strong as the century but it will be strong led by the US#13 Brown. Brown easily cruised in her sectional qualifier and should be the favorite. This is Jones’ best event and she a major threat to Brown, having topped her during the indoor season once, and Akinosun, the IPTT Champion and meet record holder. Bamgbose enters for team points for the Wildkits while also being a great long hurdler. Bolingbrook’s senior standout Kim Azie will put pressure on the already crowded field. She has run 24.99 twice this season. Don’t forget about 400 favorite Brittny Ellis. She is entered, too.

100H
All-time best: 13.32w/13.51; Shalina Clarke (Evanston)- Jr. Nats & Jr. Olympics, 2006
State Meet record: 13.54; Dawn Harper (E. St. Louis Sr.), 2001
Top 5 sectional performers:
14.21 LaDonna Caston (Sr.) Harvey (Thornton)
14.41 Jessica McCaskill (Sr.) Belleville (East)
14.45 Alexus Jimson-Miller (Jr.) Danville (H.S.)
14.51 Margaret Bamgbose (Sr.) Evanston (Twp.)
14.52 Emma Spagnola (So.) Aurora (West)
Outlook: Caston is the top seed from regionals and brings in 12.2 flat 100 speed. She has second best mark overall in 3A behind a surprising Jimson-Miller. Riley Vann (Sr., Oswego) is the top state meet returner after finishing second last year. However, she has spent more time in the field, pole vaulting. Bamgbose is entered in the short hurdles, but it’s not certain that she will compete as the team’s overall needs may trump individual ones.

300H
All-time best: 40.24+; Shalina Clarke (Evanston)- Palatine Sectional, 2005
State Meet record: 40.61; Clarke, 2005
Top 5 sectional performances:
42.18 Margaret Bamgbose (Sr.) Evanston (Twp.)
43.71 Kristen Dowell (So.) Edwardsville (H.S.)
43.86 Emma Spagnola (So.) Aurora (West)
44.48 Kathie Wollney (Sr.) Cary (C.-Grove)
44.62 Markita Rush (Jr.) East St. Louis (Sr.)
Outlook: Many will say that Bamgbose was the best long hurdler in the entire state last year. That theory never came to fruition as she tripped over the first hurdle in the final and did not finish the race. Rush went on to take the spoils and led her team to the state title. Once again, Bamgbose is one of the nation’s best long hurdlers with added flat speed gained over the past year. If it is a clean race, it will be Bamgbose in a breeze. `

Distances

3200m
All-time best: 9:56.96; Kayla Beattie (Woodstock)- IHSA 2A State Final, 2011
State Meet record: 10:17.28; Maria Cicero (Elmhurst York)- 2001
Top 5 sectional performances:
10:25.98 Kaylee Flanagan (Jr.) Roselle (Lake Park)
10:37.55 Ariel Michalek (Sr.) Oswego (East)
10:39.05 Courtney Ackerman (Jr.) Winnetka (New Trier)
10:45.76 Jessica Ackerman (Jr.) Winnetka (New Trier)
10:46.28 Sami Staples (Fr.) Crystal Lake (Central)
Outlook: Flanagan knows only one way to race. It is coming out of the gate fast and daring anyone to compete with her. It's not a formula that the other top contenders utilize. It wasn’t until late in the cross country season last fall that she was worn day from the perpetual breakneck racing. So has she learned anything from coming up short to Amanda Fox (Sr., Naperville Central) and Michalek? Well, she isn’t going to attempt the 1600/3200 double in possible searing heat. That may be the smartest decision she and her coaches will make if all the eggs are put in the 3200 basket. Courtney and Jessica Ackerman traded off the runners up spot in each of the last two seasons, Courtney in 2010, and Jessica in 2011. Both sisters took the runner up spot by less than a second. Expect them to be in it the last 200 meters. It may take a kick of sun 30 for 200 meters to win it.As far as the field itself, it is very deep - perhaps the deepest ever on paper. There are 20 runners who have run 11:00 or better. Could it be as good as the 2010 field in which all 36 runners broke 12:00? Or when 13 runners eclipsed the 11:00 mark? Only time will tell.

800m-
All-time best: 2:07.39+; Shelly McBride (Crete-Monee)- IHSA 2A State Final, 1984
State meet record: 2:07.39+; McBride- 1984
Top 5 sectional performances:
2:12.78 Lindsey Rakosnik (Sr.), Lombard (Glenbard East)
2:12.94 Courtney Clayton (Jr.), Rockton (Hononegah)
2:13.79 Kaylee Schmitz (Sr.), O'Fallon (H.S.)
2:14.03 Jahnell Horton (Sr.), Evanston (Twp.)
2:14.55 Lauren Poplawski (Jr.), Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
Outlook: The event is waiting for a breakout performance and Rakosnik appears to be the athlete ready to bust out and get in the sub-2:10 range. Clayton will be doubling like most of the top entrants, but she has the 400 to negotiate during the two-day journey. Horton will be an important piece to her team’s title fortune. She led a big portion of the race last May before fading to 11th. Dhia Dean (Sr., Chicago Kenwood) likes fast paced races; she may be the runner to push the pace and alter her opponents' strategic plans.

1600m-
All-time best: 4:43.65; Kayla Beattie (Woodstock)- IHSA 2A State Final, 2011
State Meet record: 4:49.34+; Shelly McBride (Crete-Monee), 1985
Top 5 sectional performances:
4:57.79 Lindsey Rakosnik (Sr.), Lombard (Glenbard East)
4:59.00 Hope Schmelzle (Jr.), Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)
4:59.98 Brooke Wolfe (Jr.), Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
5:01.17 Madeline Perez (So.), Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)
5:01.31 Courtney Ackerman (Jr.), Winnetka (New Trier)
Outlook: The thing that makes the 1600 the perfect event for Rakosnik is her speed, endurance, and strength. The University of Illinois signee was a former all-state 400 sprinter, as well as one of the best cross country runners in the state, and she is the defending 800 champion. Ackerman could possibly take Rakosnik if she can run on the offensive and make her uncomfortable. But few girls have done that. Rakosnik is undefeated on the track in races that matter since 2010.

Relays

4x800m-
All-time best: 9:03.19+; Barrington; St. Charles North Sectional, 2008
State Meet record: 9:04.14; Barrington, 2008
Top 5 sectional performances:
9:06.25 Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)
9:13.67 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)
9:18.87 Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
9:21.63 Downers Grove (North)
9:22.70 Yorkville
Outlook: The fields may be so competitive here that the prelims may be faster than the final. Last year, it took 9:29.4 to make the final; this year, it may take 9:25 or 9:26. Powerhouse Glenbard West was beaten by Wheaton-Warrenville South in the sectional, but the winning coach Rob Harvey tried to keep things in perspective: “They will be better than what you saw… [Glenbard West] has another leg they didn’t show.” He may be right because Glenbard West coach Paul Haas used his normal leadoff leg Katie Born in the 3200. Born qualified but may not make the championship heat. He will need to decide in a hurry to re-insert her or move on to his other five runners in a tight rotation. We could see the first 9:00 time in state history if everything unfolds well. MSL rivals Palatine and Mt. Prospect (Prospect) will be in the mix and ready to challenge for a top five spot. Yorkville makes their debut run in 3A after dominating the 2A classification. O’Fallon will lead the southern Illinois charge. Watch for LaGrange (Lyons Twp.) to move up among the leaders. Also, Downers Grove North and South, along with Winnetka (New Trier), have a few surprises up their sleeves.

4x100m
All-time best: 46.23; E. St. Louis Sr.- IHSA 2A final, 2008
State Meet record: 46.23; E. St. Louis Sr., 2008
Top 5 sectional performances:
47.14 Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)
47.28 Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)
47.48 Rock Island (H.S.)
47.64 Bolingbrook
47.99 Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
Outlook: It’s pretty good stuff when all of the top sectional performers are under 48.00. Homewood-Flossmoor has had pretty good success in this event, but has never won a relay title. This may be the year. However, there are some pretty solid units standing in the way. Defending champion Lincoln-Way East is back and they have Aaliyah Brown as the trump card. Bolingbrook will be strong if they run their four best legs. Evanston and Belleville East didn’t produce top five marks in their sectional meet, but they are very dangerous teams.

4x200m
All-time best: 1:37.87; Evanston- Bulldog Classic; Louisville KY, 2004
State Meet record: 1:37.97; Evanston- 2003
Top 5 sectional performances:
1:41.36 Belleville (East)
1:41.61 Rock Island (H.S.)
1:42.48 Belleville (West)
1:42.87 O'Fallon (H.S.)
1:42.90 Romeoville (H.S.)
Outlook: Evanston had the state’s best time of 1:42.06 during the season, but at the sectional round they ran a team that barely did enough to get into the prelim round. They may decide to run a secondary team and concentrate on other events. Belleville East and Rock Island appear as the teams to beat until further notice.

4x400m
All-time best: 3:45.14+; E. St. Louis Lincoln- 2A State final, 1984
State Meet record: 3:45.14+; E. St. Louis Lincoln, 1984
Top 5 sectional performances:
3:55.70 Belleville (West)
3:55.85 Evanston (Twp.)
3:56.47 East St. Louis (Sr.)
3:57.61 St. Charles (East)
3:57.87 Elmhurst (York)
Outlook: Evanston is the state’s best team in this event and should have no trouble making the final. It will depend how the team battle is going as to whether they decide to put together a super team - like the one ran 3:49 in a winning effort at the Kansas Relays. If they slip up, a fleet of schools will be ready to pounce. Lincoln-Way East will have Aaliyah Brown waiting should they need to deploy her. In the meantime, watch for Belleville West to assert themselves into the leadership role. Also, look for a now-depleted E. St. Louis team to run for pride and upset a few teams.

Field events

Discus Throw-
All-time best: 167-4; Kelsey Card (Carlinville)- IHSA 1A State Final, 2010
State Meet record: 167-4; Card, 2010
Top 5 sectional performances:
156-7 Emmonnie Henderson (Jr.), Edwardsville (H.S.)
140-4 Morgan Keller (Jr.), Rolling Meadows
139-2 Melissa Dunham (Jr.), Fox Lake (Grant)
135-4 Shayna Clark (Sr.), Roselle (Lake Park)
131-3 Desirae Ranberg (Sr.), Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)
Outlook: Henderson takes on the challenge of being Illinois’ next great thrower after Card’s graduation. But she is already a two-time winner and has the US#4/IL#1 best of 160-5. This may be the best field in terms of high marks and depth: 14 girls have exceeded the state standard. Keller has improved mightily over the past year. Dunham comes from a throws-rich program and it could be her turn to follow predecessors Bailey Wagner and Tori Ziegler.

Shot Put
All-time best: 51-0.75; Daniella “Dani” Bunch (Mahomet-Seymour)- Cornbelt Conf. meet, 2008
Top 5 sectional performances:
47-2.5 Emmonnie Henderson (Jr.), Edwardsville (H.S.)
44-6 Banke Oginni (So.), Hoffman Estates (H.S.)
41-10 Morgan Keller (Jr.), Rolling Meadows
41-8 Shayna Clark (Sr.), Roselle (Lake Park)
40-7 Melissa Dunham (Jr.), Fox Lake (Grant)
Outlook: Henderson is once again the one to beat as she is within two inches of her personal best state winner from a year ago. Oginni and Keller are conference foes who appear ready to take their battle to a bigger stage. Add in Clark, Dunham, and Sam Voegtle (Sr., Belleville West) for good measure.

Pole Vault
All-time best: 13-5; Emily Grove (Pontiac)- AAU qualifier, 2011
State Meet record: 13-3; Sarah Landau (Geneva)- 2004
Top 5 sectional performances:
12-3 Carolina Carmichael (Sr.), Lake Forest (H.S.)
12-0 Riley Vann (Sr.), Oswego (H.S.)
11-9 Brittany Hull (Jr.), Normal (Community)
11-9 McKenzee Kroeschell (Jr.), Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)
11-9 Carly Schmidt (Jr.), Lake Forest (H.S.)
Outlook: Hull was on a tremendous roll when she earned the co-US#1 mark of 13-0.25 during the latter stages of the indoor season. But ever since finishing second at IPTT, she hasn’t had the same success outdoors. Hull has yet to clear 12-0 this spring. Now would the perfect time to get back on track. Hull’s peers have stolen her spotlight. Carmichael is one athlete sitting in the catbird seat. She and teammate Schmidt share the state’s top outdoor jump of 12-6. Vann has the distinction of being top-ranked in the 100H, and will see Charmichael there as well.

High Jump
All-time best: 6-1.25; Denise Daebelliehn (Moline)- USA age group nats; Dayton OH, 1980
State Meet record: 5-11; Melinda Morris (Buffalo Tri-City), 1980
Top 5 sectional performances:
5-7 Kelsey Shannon (So.), Belleville (West)
5-5 Jaclyn Aremka (Sr.), Plainfield (North)
5-5 Deborrah Blackburn (So.), Edwardsville (H.S.)
5-5 Darcy Cadman (Sr.), Lisle (Benet Academy)
5-5 Kasey Gassensmith (Sr.), Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)
Outlook: Aremka has done everything that her coaches have asked, including running on various relays and open running events, but the high jump is her signature event. After placing third at state last year, it was pretty evident that the goal would be to step up and shoot for a state title. Aremka has the US#2 mark of 5-10. If she duplicates that feat this weekend, she will win hands down.

Long Jump
All-time best: 20-9.5; Jackie Joyner (E. St. Louis Lincoln)- AAU Nats; Lincoln NB- 1980
State Meet record: 20-9; Alexandria Anderson (Chicago Morgan Park)- 2005 prelims
Top 5 sectional performances:
18-8.25 Aliyah Harmon (Jr.), Olympia Fields (Rich Central)
18-5.5 Jasmine Brown (Jr.), DeKalb
18-5 Savannah Carson (Jr.), Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
18-1.75 Micayla Collins (Jr.), East St. Louis (Sr.)
18-0 Claudette Day (So.), Belleville (West)
Outlook: Carson is back to her winning ways after recovering from a back injury that hampered her indoor season. She jumped a state-leading 19-5.5 nwi outdoors. Day is the state’s other jumper to surpass the 19-0 mark. Harmon has been quiet since jumping mid-18s during January. She may be coming around at the right time. Parker English (So.,Evanston) is one of the state’s most talented athletes, but has been inconsistent in the jump arena. If she can get it together, she will be a threat to place in the top three or so.

Triple Jump
All-time best: 42-2.75; Deanna Simmons (Decatur MacArthur)- USATF Regionals, 1996
State Meet Record: 41-5; Simmons, 1996
Top 5 sectional performances:
39-11.5 Chardae Greenlee (Jr.), Calumet City (Thornton Fractional North)
39-1.25 Allie Virgilio (Sr.), Algonquin (Jacobs)
38-7.75 Aliyah Harmon (Jr.), Olympia Fields (Rich Central)
37-7.5 Chaz Duson (Sr.), Olympia Fields (Rich Central)
37-4.25 Hannah Davison (Fr.), Geneva
Outlook: There are several notables to watch out for, like Anne Yahiro (Sr., Lisle Benet Academy), Uzo Okoro (Sr., Darien Hinsdale South), Harmon, and Virgilio. The aforementioned are returning all-state leapers, but for the list-leading Greenlee, competing in Charleston will be her first trip to state. Hopefully, the nerves will subside quickly; all she has to worry about is jumping 40-feet.

Believe it or not, it’s been four years since the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) implemented the three-class system for track and field. The system was supposed to balance equality throughout the class structure. Although it is too early to determine if having a third class was the right call, it’s not too soon to gauge the benefit of additional opportunities for quality athletes to compete in a state championship. Many of the supporters of the expansion are pleased with the outcomes.

Class 2A, formerly the biggest class and now the "middle" class, seems to be at full strength after four years. Sprint-rich schools Peoria Richwoods, Rock Island, and Springfield have added depth and talent. The distance powers had movement as well with Yorkville and Crystal Lake Central shoring up the division.

Springfield Southeast aims for another title through tragedy and triumph

The Spartans are in the midst of building a dynasty with two championships and a runner-up trophy in three attempts. This weekend at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium, it could be three plaques in a row.

Head coach Tom McBride is the patriarch of the program who will be retiring at the end of the season after a 31-year ride. He has seen some good and bad times in his program, but nothing could be worse than losing his assistant coach and long-time friend Dana Rountree, who passed away in February. “It was tough… I mean real rough not [having coach Rountree] around,” said a somber McBride during a meet in March.

Rountree was a revered coach among his peers and his athletes. He was a “lifer” in the sport. Rountree spent his entire teaching and coaching career in Springfield. Among the pupils he was most proud of was Alexandria Harden. She won four straight long jump and three triple jump titles under Rountree’s tutelage. She has earned a basketball scholarship to Wichita State University.

The Lady Spartans have taken no prisoners this season, despite the emotional downfall that engulfed the team. The team has won the city, conference, and sectional in dominating fashion. The final frontier would be the state championship.

The title chase will begin and end with emerging star junior Charday Crawford. Crawford, who cut her teeth under the guidance of Harden, now is the team leader. She also leads all sectional entrants in the 100 (12.03) and 200 (24.53).

The Spartans will also look to deploy their speed relays in which they posted the sectional best in the 4x200 (1:42.69). The 4x100 also qualified and produced a blistering 48.43 earlier in the season. The 4x400 will be a wildcard event should the Spartans need it at the end. The quartet has run 4:02 on several occasions.

In order to complete their task, the Spartans will need assistance from a strong supporting cast. Junior Brion Portis and senior Shawnise Stelivan will command the long jump. They both have competed well throughout the season and should make the final to score vital points. Portis will double back in the triple jump as one of the state’s top jumpers.

Senior K’Leesa Gilliam will look to duplicate her all-state performance from a year ago in the shot put. She has the third-best performance during the season. Gilliam doesn’t have to beat the favored Lena Giger (So., Highland); she just needs to score points. Her teammate Shauniera Wilson is a strong candidate to advance to the discus final in an evenly shaped field. The top 12 hurlers will advance to Saturday’s final.

The Shamier Little saga set for the weekend

Let the chase begin. It actually began at the beginning of the outdoor season when there was talk of junior superstar Shamier Little (Lindblom, Chicago) entering in four individual events for the state championship series. This is nothing innovative for top level track and field athletes. However, what is different is attempting four events featuring both hurdle races and with one of them back-to-back with a long sprint.

Little flew out to the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in California to test this theory. She competed in the 100H, 400, and 300H. The 400 and 300H were conducted within a 25-minute span that saw Little blaze 53.79 and 42.95 - both top ten marks in the country at the time. Those results proved to Little and her coaches that she had what it took.

Now, after easily qualifying for state in the four events, including the addition of the 200, Little has an opportunity to compete for a state title all by herself. It will be a very tall order but if anyone can garner 40 points solo, it is Little. The faithful of Charleston will have to wait until Saturday afternoon to see if history is made.

Paul focused on individual events

For the first time in her high school running career, University of Arkansas-bound senior Megan Paul of Mundelein Carmel Catholic will be entered only as an individual and free of relay duties. Paul now has the opportunity to settle matters in the 100, 200, and 400. The showdowns with Little and Crawford will be perhaps it will be the most intriguing part of the weekend on the track.

Distance running will have a new look

Last year, Kayla Beattie of Woodstock performed as Wonder Woman in the state tournament. It would be an understatement to say that she had the best performance of any athlete in the entire state meet, setting all-time records in the 3200 (9:56.96) and 1600 (4:43.65).

Junior Katie Adams of Marengo will be strangely chasing a title in the 3200 amongst strangers. None of the six girls who finished ahead of her in last fall’s cross country state championship will be competing either from moving up in class or running in other events. Even the Illinois Prep Top Times indoor champion Kristen Busch (Sr., Freeburg) has opted to run elsewhere in the meet program. Still, look for Stephanie Saey (Jr., Galesburg) to provide good company. Saey was the top sectional mark of 11:07.16 to Adam’s 11:10.20.
The 1600 will feature Adams, Sydney Billingsley (So., Normal University), Emma Preston (Sr., East Peoria), and Olivia Ryan (Fr., Oak Park Fenwick) as the prime targets- all five runners have run under 5:10. The state champion will more than likely run under 5:00.

Watch out for Sarah Bell-
Sarah Bell (Jr., Bloomington Central Catholic) has quickly become of the best if not the best pole vaulter in the country. She concluded the indoor season as co- US#1 (13-0.25) with good friend Brittany Hull (Jr., Normal Community). That confidence has continued to produce great results as Bell is a big favorite win a title in a new classification. Last year her school competed in Class A.

The US#4 ranked Bell will take on all challengers and certainly the ones that Chelsea Bingham (Sr., Effingham) and from newcomer Hannah Swift (Fr., Canton) will provide. Both young ladies have vaulted 12-0 during the season.

Don’t sleep on the relays
The 4x100 will be an event to watch because of the thrill of speed as the well as the uncertainty of the unknown. If there are no mishaps in the prelims the battle between Melrose Park Walther Lutheran should duel for supremacy. Walther Lutheran has the top sectional and seasonal best of 48.37 compared to the Spartan’s 48.43 effort.

The 4x200 should be all Springfield Southeast. The Spartans are more than a second better than the nearest competitor.

Richton Park (Rich South) are the defending state champion; they also have the top mark of 4:00.74 heading into the 4x400 prelims.

Lake Villa (Lakes), Effingham, and Petersburg-Porta will challenge for the top spot in the 4x800 arena.

Many have tabulated the two-time defending state team champion Byron as the favorite to win their third in a row. But one well known coach (who wishes to remain anonymous) has said there are as many as four teams capable of knocking off Byron and supplanting themselves among the top three trophy chasers. Eureka, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, Moweaqua (Central A & M), and South Holland Seton Academy are the premier names being touted. But as the coach has said: “these teams still have to compete [for their trophies]… nothing is guaranteed.” Well said.

Here is a quick look at the key team’s chances:

Byron-
Head Coach: Scott McMullen
2011 State Final Finish: State Champion, 54 points
Key qualifying events: HJ, 4x1, 4x2, 4x4, 4x8, 100, 200, 100H
Key individuals: Brooke Holloway (Jr.), Jael Christensen (Jr.), Cara Cortese (Sr.), Elyse Adkins (Jr.),
Team outlook: not as deep as the previous two state championship outfits, but the Tigers will pack a strong punch using a diversely talented team from the field to the track. Christensen, Cortese, and Adkins will carry a bulk of the load now that former star Paige Knodle has taken her talents to Northern Iowa University. For Cortese, she will be focused with redemption flowing through her veins after false-starting in last year’s 100 final. If she can get through Thursday’s prelim as well as the other events on the docket, then it should be a sweet ride for the Tigers.

Eureka-
Head Coach: Don Samford
2011 State Final Finish: Third, 44 pts.
Key qualifying events: TJ, 4x1, 4x4, 4x8, 100, 400,
Key individuals: Kalla Gold (Sr.), Shelby Kupferschmid (Sr.), Taylor Krile.
Team outlook: there are some minuses from the Tremont Sectional for the Hornets like a dropped baton in the 4x200 relay that led to the top seeded quartet not qualifying. How about several key members not running up their usual standards due to the flu. No matter because Gold is the main element the team will depend on for the open and relay events; she is a two-time defending champion in the 400 and favored to nab her third title. If winning the state crown comes down to the show-stopping 4x400 relay, it would most certainly be in Gold’s hands to bring home a championship.

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley-
Head Coach: Erica Kostoff
2011 State Final Finish: Tenth, 28 pts.
Key qualifying events: TJ, 4x1, 4x4, 800, 1600, 300H
Key individuals: Sydni Meunier (Sr.), Angel Gaesser (Sr.), Jordyn Nettleton (Sr.), LaToya Baillie (Jr.)
Team outlook: in order for the Falcons to excel and have a chance to hoist a trophy, the small but talented contingent must hit hard on all cylinders. Gaesser is a strong candidate to make the finals in the triple jump and it would be a bonus if she could score in the middle of the pack. But her bread and butter will be the 800 where she is ranked second in the state to her teammate Meunier. Meunier could be a triple winner if she can capitalize in her favorite event the 1600, and assist along with Gaesser in the 4x400 relay.

Moweaqua (Central A&M)-
Head Coach: Todd Rork
2011 State Final Finish: Eighth, 29 pts.
Key qualifying events: DT, SP, 4x1, 4x4, 4x8, 100, 100H, 300H
Key individuals: Janie Howse (Sr.), Genny Rose Stringer (So.), Madison Renfro (Sr.), Taylor Adcock (Jr.), Kaitlyn Corzine (Jr.)
Team outlook: the Raiders will start the assault with Howse and Stringer. They return as the state’s most dangerous throwing duo with Howse earning runner-up honors in the discus and Stringer placing fourth. However, this squad is much deeper than in recent years as depth on the track should aid the team’s surge toward a team trophy. Renfro is the returning runner-up in the short hurdles and the current state leader. Add in Adcock and Corzine on relay duty and it could be a great weekend for the Raiders.

South Holland (Seton Academy)-
Head Coach: Damani Shakoor
2011 State Final Finish: Eleventh, 21 pts.
Key qualifying events: 4x1, 4x2, 4x4, 100, 200,400
Key individuals: DeJanae Terry (Sr.), Mykel Adams (Jr.), Jasmine Gardner (Sr.), Hunter Guy (Sr.)
Team outlook: this is a team with an opportunity to do some damage with Grade A sprints and relays. It is also a team that cannot slip up in a sport where sprints are the name of the game. Terry returns as one of the best sprinters in the field and will perform solidly in four events. Look for her to move up one spot on the podium and take the Century. She will anchor the 4x1 and 4x2 relays along with unfinished matters in the 400 in which she took second last May. But as with all teams chasing a team title, the supporting cast must do their job. Adams, Gardner, and Guy will have a long and busy week getting their tasks accomplished.

Distance running preview:

University of Notre Dame bound Sydni Meunier will be looking to cement her legacy on the EIU blue track this weekend in the 1600, 800 and 4x400 in which it is quite conceivable that she could trot home with three gold medals. Meunier is among the state leaders in all of Illinois with smoking 4:55.19 (IL#1) and 2:15.40 (IL#9) marks.

Chelsea Blaase (Sr., St. Joe-Ogden) will be seeking her first distance triple crown. She won the cross country title last fall followed by the Illinois Prep Top Times indoor 3200 title. The final item would be the outdoor 3200 where she is entered as the top seed. Blaase, who has signed with the University of Tennessee, hasn’t touched her indoor marks of 11:01.81 and 5:05.07. Somehow the weather statewide, which hasn’t been that great during the spring thus leading to slower than expected times from many, is expected to be in the low to mid-eighties for state. That could either mean the age of fast times or slow and tactical paces leading to a fast lap finish.

Meunier’s teammate Angel Gaesser could be ready to strike first in the 800 after winning the indoor crown and finishing second in the main forum last spring. Gaesser has a life time best of 2:15.53 from last year. She has come within a second of that this season, and it will be prudent for her to be at least in the ball park of her career bests to challenge Meunier and Ellen Toennies (Sr., Breese Mater Dei). Toennies has busted out with a sensational spring and enters the state championship as a threat to the Muenier/Gasser balance; she has the second best sectional seeds in the 800 and 1600.

Sprints/hurdles outlook:

There are several different names listed on top of the sprint charts. The key athletes to watch for are Amelia Glueck (So., Tremont), DeJanae Terry, Cara Cortese, Kalla Gold, Molly Smith (Jr., Cambridge), and Madison Renfro.

Field events overview:

Alyssa Applebee (Sr., Seneca) is entered in several events going into the prelims, but most notably is the pole vault where she is the defending state champion. Applebee should be able to leap past any resistance once Saturday’s final begins. The only thing standing in her way may only be the meet record of 12-9 she set a year ago.

Kelsey Card- the greatest thrower in IHSA history- has finally graduated and moved on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her exodus will obviously produce a huge void in terms of extreme excitement and performances, but a solid shot putter in Whitney Walker (Sr., Glasford Illini Bluffs) has seized the most of her opportunity. First, she captured the IPTT title ahead of the state’s top returner Olivia Herzog (Sr., Sullivan-Okaw Valley Coop). Second is obtaining the top state meet seed alongside the IL#2 mark. Walker will be tough to beat.

Janie Howse is entered in the shot put field but her bread and better will be the discus throw favorite in a deep field featuring teammate Genny Rose Stringer, Herzog, and Walker. Ms. Howse is the state’s top returner with the season’s best mark but she can be beaten if an off day occurs. The aforementioned young ladies will be there ready to pounce should the unexpected occur.

Press Release

NEW YORK CITY (May 16, 2012)—Josh Lampron and Ben Malone, who own the two fastest 1500-meter times in the nation so far this season, are among 16 top high school athletes added to the fields for the adidas Dream 100 and adidas Dream Mile at the adidas Grand Prix on June 9, organizers have announced.

Also headlining the roster are Ajee Wilson, the 2011 World Youth Champion at 800 meters, and freshman sensation Alexa Efraimson, the first freshman ever invited to a Dream event.

The Dream 100 and Dream Mile are again destined to be among the most hotly contested events at the adidas Grand Prix on June 9. In its eighth year as one of the premier track-and-field events in the world, the adidas Grand Prix, at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, will feature dozens of Olympic medalists and World Champions, including Yohan Blake, the reigning 100-meter World Champion, and David Rudisha, the 800-meter World Record-holder, who will be making his U.S. debut. The event will again be the sixth stop on the international Samsung Diamond League circuit and is part of the Visa Championships Series. Tickets are now available at adidasgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-849-8722.

Lampron, a senior from Mansfield, Mass., last weekend ran 3:45.74 for 1500 meters at a meet in Boston, among the top-20 high school times in U.S. history and the fastest in the nation since 2009. The 2011 national champion in the mile, Lampron is a three-time state champion and will attend Villanova University in the fall.

Malone, a junior from Hillsdale, N.J., is the 2012 National Indoor Champion at 800 meters and holds U.S. high school indoor records for a junior at 800 meters (1:49.94) and 1000 meters (2:23.56). On Monday, he ran the #2 time in the U.S. at 1500 meters, 3:49.84.

A senior from Neptune, N.J., Wilson is one of the top high school athletes in New Jersey history. Currently ranked #2 in the nation at 800 meters, she finished the 2012 indoor season ranked #1 at both 600 and 800 meters. A qualifier for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, Wilson will attend Florida State University.

Efraimson, of Camas, Wash., has run 4:23.41 for 1500 meters already this season to rank #4 on the U.S. list, and her time of 2:08.92 for 800 meters is #7. She finished 14th at cross country nationals last fall.

Also accepting invitations to the Boys’ Dream Mile are Jacob Burcham, a junior from Ona, W. Va.; who finished seventh at 1500 meters in the 2011 World Youth Championships in 3:46.55, the fastest time by a U.S. prep last year; Brannon Kidder, a senior from Lancaster, Ohio, a four-time state track champion ranked #4 in the U.S. at 1600 meters who is headed to Penn State University; Craig Nowak, a senior from Cypress, Tex., who is a five-time 5A state champion, ranks #2 at 1600 meters and #3 at 3200 meters, and will attend Oklahoma State University; and Craig Engels, a senior from Pfafftown, N.C., ranked in the top 10 at the mile (#3), 1500 meters (#4), and 3200 meters (#10). Engels was the 2012 Penn Relays Mile Champion in front of Burcham, the runner-up, and Malone, who placed third. He will attend North Carolina State University.

Joining Wilson and Efraimson in the Girls’ Dream Mile will be Haley Pierce, a senior from Wilmington, Del., the 15-time State Champion ranked #3 at 3200 meters and #4 at 1600 meters who will attend Georgetown University; Angel Piccirillo, a senior from Homer Center, Penn., who is a two-time state Gatorade Cross-Country Athlete of the Year, a seven-time State Champion, ranks #2 in the mile and will attend Villanova University; Amy-Eloise Neale, a junior from Snohomish, Wash., six-time Washington 3A State Champion ranked #4 in the mile and #6 at 1500 meters; and Paige Rice, a sophomore from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Ore., the 6A Oregon Cross Country State Champion ranked #4 in the U.S. at 1500 meters.

Burcham, Wilson, Pierce, Piccirillo and Neale are all making return Dream Mile appearances.

Joining the field of the adidas Boys’ Dream 100 are Raymond Bozmans of Fort Collins, Colo., a senior ranked #3 in the U.S. at 100 meters and #5 at 200 meters who is the 2012 Arcadia Invite Champion and will attend Texas Christian University on a football scholarship; and Khalfani Muhammad of Sherman Oaks, Calif., a junior who is the 2012 Mt. SAC champion at both 100 and 200 meters and 2011 state runner-up in both distances.

Added to the adidas Girls’ Dream 100 are Kali Davis-White of Lauderdale Lake, Fla., a junior ranked #4 in the U.S. and 2012 Florida State 4A runner-up at both 100 and 200 meters to the previously announced Shayla Sanders; and Destinee Gause of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a senior who is the 2012 National Indoor Champion at 200 meters and is ranked #5 at 100 meters. The 2011 Ohio State Champion at 100 and 200 meters, she will attend the University of Florida.

Fields for the Dream Mile and Dream 100 are being drawn from the winners of three qualifying meets in the adidas Golden Stripes series, as well as from at-large bids. The first meet, the adidas Meet of Champions, was held on March 24, followed by the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kan., April 19-21. Next up is the Golden South Classic in Orlando, Fla., on May 26. In addition to the opportunity to compete in a world-class international track event, athletes in the Dream Mile and Dream 100 will also have the chance to receive coaching from mile legend Jim Ryun.

All of the latest news, photos and additional information on the event can be found at adidasgrandprix.com, the event’s pages on Facebook at facebook.com/adidasGrandPrix and on Twitter at twitter.com/adidasGrandPrix. When tweeting, use #agpny. For even more coverage on the Dream Mile and Dream 100, visit adidasgoldenstripes.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara Hunninghake, Global Athletics & Marketing
media@globalathletics.com
917.972.3656

DYESTAT ELITES

Josh Lampron of Mansfield, Mass. ran 3:45.74 for 1,500 meters Saturday night in the New Balance Boston Twilight Series at Bentley College.

Lampron competed unattached and placed sixth in a race with older runners. His time is a US#1 for 2012 by more than five seconds and it also moves him to No. 18 all-time in the event. He ran 3:50s on three occasions last spring and was the New Balance Nationals Outdoor mile champ in 4:05.99, but relative to 2012 the performance seemed to come out of the blue: His previous races this spring included a 9:43 two-mile and a 4:24 mile.

Meanwhile, Cayla Hatton from Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., also competed unattached and placed fourth in 4:18.65. That is US#2 this spring and No. 14 all-time. Hatton has raced sparingly and independent of her high school and also has US#1 times this spring in the 10,000 and 5,000.

According to Track and Field News, those performances rank Lampron No. 3 all-time in Massachusetts behind Jonathon Riley (3:43.18) and Victor Gras (3:45.19). Hatton moves ahead of Ari Lambie to No. 2 behind Olympic bronze medalist Lynn Jennings (4:18.06).

Roselle, Ill--- Wheaton-Warrenville South Head Coach Rob Harvey sent a direct message to his team prior to entering the premises of Lake Park High School: “our #1 goal is to qualify as many girls as possible for [next week’s state championship].” The Tigers won the sectional title with 101 points but more importantly qualified nine individuals and four relays for Charleston (site of state championship).

It was a total team effort for the Tigers
Wheaton South got things rolling in the field events with returning all-state high jumper Kasey Gassensmith won with a personal best 5-5. It was also a big sigh of relief from last week’s lowly performance at the Dupage Valley Conference meet when she only mustered 4-11.

Desirae Ranberg has already had a career year in the discus throw with personal bests every weekend. The senior standout continued to raise her approval rating with another fine performance another personal best effort of 131-3. Her efforts netted third place and will more than likely be situated in a scoring slot for the state championship.

Pole vault specialists Emily Schwartz and Christen Saccucci go 1-3 with very respectable 11-3 and 10-9 marks. Schwartz will be among the favorites in Charleston based on being the second best returner and season best of 12-0 set a week ago at the conference meet.

The tone on the track was set immediately in the event’s first event: the 4x800 relay. Wheaton South showed the Glenbard West express that their road to a state championship is not going to be easy. The Tigers struck the Hilltoppers and the rest of the talented field like lightning bolt with Amy Yong assuming the lead off chores. The senior got things started with a fast 2:15.4 split that put the competitors in a big hole. Although Madeline Perez was able to quickly close down the deficit on the second leg and take a lead for her team, it would be short lived.

Wheaton South regained the momentum when third leg Hope Schmelzle took the baton and virtually sprinted the opening 200 which produced a huge gap on Glenbard West and Mt. Prospect (Prospect). It was all peaches and cream by the time anchor McKenna Kiple got the baton. She could have just maintained a safe lead, but instead chose to hammer it for the entire two laps. The final outcome was a sensational 2:12 split and 9:06.25. The sizzling mark is good for US#5.

Wheaton South continued to rack up key performances including Schmelzle’s fine second place effort in the 1600 (4:59.00), Kiple in the 800 (2:17.81), and Jessica Spera’s 100H winning performance (15.32).

Kaylee Flanagan sets tone in the 3200
Everyone in the stadium knew that the 3200 was going to be an event that would attract a fleet of runners vying for Charleston. Lake Park distance coach Lauren May had a specific plan for her star runner Kaylee Flanagan. “I told her to go in 75-seconds… and we can work from there,” she said directly with a hint of a smile. Was that smile because she knew what the real outcome would be?

Flanagan took the pace out fast, as it is her customary style, in 70.6. She continued to surge against the field over the next three laps in 2:27.5, 3:44.7, and 5:04.7. Flanagan was already ahead of a strong field by over 15-seconds but still would not show any mercy.

The next three laps were each conducted in a shade under 80-seconds, which meant she had a shot at setting a personal best. On the gun lap, Flanagan passed by in 9:04.6 and on pace to run a very fast time. Indeed, it would be 10:25.98. Flanagan recaptured the state lead over Winnetka New Trier’s Courtney Ackerman (10:28.98). She also outdistanced runner-up Emma Fisher (York, Elmhurst) who ran a fine 10:46.45. In addition, a total of six girls qualified for the state championship.

“I tried to go out [easy],” Flanagan said with an honest shrug in reference to her coach’s plan. “I just wanted to run and not think about anything… make it a fun race.”

Rakosnik continues to excel
University of Illinois-Champaign bound Lindsey Rakosnik (Glenbard East, Lombard) has come a long way from being a long sprinter. Rakosnik was the state runner-up in the 400 in 2010; she moved up to the 800 last season and won the state title in 2:11.08. After a great cross country campaign that netted her the seventh place medal, she has moved up in distance once more to the “mile.” On Thursday evening she would sweep the 800 and 1600 runs in stellar fashion.

Rakosnik methodically controlled her first race of the day, the 800, by going out in 65.6- a sizable pack with Lauren Poplawski (Prospect, Mt. Prospect), Michelle Frigo (York, Elmhurst), and several others in close proximity. However, the dream of an upset would not materialize as Rakosnik turned on the jets with 250 to go and easily won in 2:12.78. Poplawski set a school record (2:14.55) to place second. A total of six runners earned tickets to Charleston. Rakosnik quickly exited the track after her race to prepare for her next event.

The 1600 started as modestly as the 800 for Rakosnik in a 71.2 and 2:30.3 for the first two laps. Believe it or not the pace for the four-lapper was slower than what Flanagan ran for the 3200. The lagging tempo allowed a fleet of girls to stay with Rakosnik, and set themselves up with perhaps a shot of winning or at the very least earn a personal record and a trip to state. The third lap did not pick up any (3:45.4) and two runners lurking. The gun lap sounded and Rakosnik moved hard on the backstretch and opened a bit of day light on Schmelzle and Brooke Wolfe (Prospect, Mt. Prospect). With less just the final curve to negotiate, Rakosnik picked up the pace a bit more but not full out. Schmelzle and Wolfe moved into all out sprint mode but would not catch Rakosnik who cruised home in 4:57.79. Rakosnik once again disappeared after crossing the finish line.

Rakosnik appeared after her the 4x4 relay to discuss her day. “I knew that there was more break between the races,” she said regarding reserving energy and pacing herself hard at different points in her races. It may have also been a way to test herself for next weekend’s strategic preliminary races that begin on Friday.

The state’s best kept secret
Cherise Porter (Willowbrook, Villa Park) has a very impressive resume in that she is a five-time state medalist in the 100 and 200. In addition, she has been a decorated sprinter on the summer track circuit. But standing in her way are superstars Aaliyah Brown (Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort), Morolake Akinosun (Aurora, Waubonsie Valley), and Cessily Jones (North, Plainfield). Now, let’s re-enter Porter after she produced workwomen like evening on the track. The standout speedster ran four events and produced three tough victories for: herself, team, and fans.

After cruising past qualifying rounds in the 100 and 200, it would be the 4x1 that presented a challenge for Porter. Her team was sitting in fourth place and on the verge of not advancing to state when she got the stick. The two-time state 200 runner-up bolted down the track and passed Wheaton South for second and then nipped Proviso West for the heart pounding victory 49.11-49.17.

Porter returned a short later and won the 100 in less dramatic fashion but a still solid 12.06. After speaking with her teammates and coaches she ushered off the track to get ready for her next race. That next race would be the 4x200 relay. Once again it would be Porter vying to rescue her squad’s fortunes when she moved hard on the anchor leg. She needed to least catch at least two or three teams to secure a spot to state. Porter rolled past three teams and placed second to Proviso West 1:44.11. “I’m out here running my best and having fun,” she said afterwards with a smile.

The final event of the day for Porter would be winning her specialty the 200 in 24.51 over Hoffman Estates Angela Hermann. “I want to win state year,” she said pointing to her back-to-back second place state finishes in the 200. “I’m aiming for it this year.”

Other key meet performances
Morgan Keller (Rolling Meadows) won the shot put (41-10) and discus (140-4) and completed the throws sweep. Keller improved on her 137-0 mark from the prelim but stays in the IL#3/US#53 positions.

Colleen Krawczykowski (Willowbrook, Villa Park) helped herself by winning the long jump in a solid 17-4.5 effort.

MEET RESULTS

Neptune (N.J.) high school senior Ajee Wilson ran at a high-profile meet in the Cayman Islands on Wednesday. Wilson ran 2:05.29, just a hundredth off of her season best.

The meet featured Olympic-level athletes and was highlighted by a 9.84-second clocking in the 100 meters by Jamaican Yohan Blake.

Wilson is no stranger to big-time competition. During the indoor season, she ran against professionals at the Millrose Games and the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association pulled the plug on the Division I and II track and field championships at Mesa Community College on Wednesday when a thunderstorm rolled in and forced athletes, officials and spectators to leave the stadium because of lightning.

The delay came about an hour into a session that likely would have taken about six hours to complete.

Thursday is a day off in the meet schedule, so the competition that was delayed Wednesday will be layered into Friday's program. The state championships for all four of Arizona's divisions conclude on Saturday.

For some athletes, the new compressed schedule will cause a new challenge. Athletes doubling in the distance events will go on back to back days rather than have two days' rest.

It's been an eventful year in Arizona, where juniors Devon Allen of Brophy Prep (Phoenix) and Bernie Montoya of Cibola (Yuma) have emerged as two of the best athletes in the Class of 2013.

Phoenix's newspaper, the Arizona Republic, has followed several high school track and field stories this week:

Glendale Independence missed sending its 22-member squad to state because the coach missed an entry deadline established by the AIA by 15 minutes. Columnist Scott Bordow says blame rests with the coach.

In addition to the Glendale story, Richard Obert also filed this piece on Devon Allen.