By Michael Newman

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Here is a look at the 2A meet of the 2014 Illinois Top Times Championships on Saturday morning. Field Events will start at 9:00 AM. The first running event of the 2A meet will start at 10:00 AM.

 

FIELD EVENTS

 

Long Jump – 9:00 AM

Girls – The first event of the morning should be a close one. Even though Gillian Urycki (Metamora HS) is the only athlete over 18 feet in 2A, there are four other athletes within seven inches of her. Taylor McCammon (McNamara HS, Kankakee) has been in the 17-10 range twice this season, the last in a meet in Indiana in February. Elizabeth Pagan (Hampshire HS) jumped 17-8 last week at Byron. Those would be two of the athletes that I would watch.

 

Lauren Zick (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) finished second in this event a year ago. Although she has only jumped 17-5 this season, she has the ability to pop a jump in the mid 18’s. I would watch for her. Lexy Duncan (Dixon HS) and Jaimie Robinson (De La Salle Institute, Chicago) are also capable of placing in the top three.

 

Boys – Nine of the top ten 2A athletes in this event will be competing Saturday morning. The big question is whether or not Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) will be competing. Two weeks ago at Nationals in New York City, Ward injured his quad in the third round of the Triple Jump. His coach Leroy Milsap reported that his recovery has been excellent. He is entered here. I expect him to be at the meet.

 

If Ward is on his game, I do not think anyone can touch him. He has been a bulldozer in both the horizontal jumps. On an off day, he has been in the mid 23’s this season. His best jump was 23-11 ½ at Principia College at the end of February.

 

If he is off or not here, it is anyone’s guess who could win. Steven Eldridge (Murphysboro HS) jumped 22-9 ½ at SIU and could challenge for the win. Tevin Taylor (Galesburg HS) established a big PR in jumping 22-4 ½ last week at Knox College. He could be going past that on Saturday. Roman Hill (Centralia HS), Ben Barnes and Dalvell Triplett (Kaneland HS, Maple Park), and Drake Taylor (University HS, Normal) could all be in the top five.

 

Triple Jump – 11:00 AM

Girls – Jaimie Robinson (De La Sale Institute, Chicago) is only a freshman, but she did not jump that way at the GCAC Championships last Saturday. In that meet, she jumped 37-8 ¾ which is the top jump regardless of classification in the state. This will be her first big high school meet state wide. Even with nerves that could hit her, she is still the favorite.

 

Her best jump is almost two feet better than the next closest athlete in the event Vicky Gruszka (Notre Dame HS, Peoria). I would not count Gruszka out in this event. Also watch for Lillia Edwards (Sycamore HS), Damiloia Tawio (Dunlap HS), and Jasonna Pealer (MacArthur HS, Decatur) to be among the top jumpers.

 

Boys – My comments in the Boys Long Jump apply in this preview as well. If Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) is 100%, it is lock city that he wins Saturday. He is the best sophomore ever indoors in the nation. When he is “off”, his jumps are still three feet better than his closest competition in this event.

 

There are three jumper over 44 feet besides Ward in 2A. Jacob Wiggins (Central HS, Grayslake), Carsen Cash (Marion HS), and Davion Foster (Central HS, Champaign) should battle for the next spot behind Ward if he is here. Otherwise, it is a jump for the championship. The dark horse in this field could be Dalvell Triplett (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) who jumped 43-11 ½ to win the NIB-12 championships last weekend.

 

High Jump

Girls 11:00 AM – Gillian Urycki (Metamora HS) jumped 5-8 earlier this month at Sterling. In this meet, she has the best jump by four inches. Lurking in the weeds waiting for her is two time 2A champion Haleigh Knapp (Morris HS). Her only meet this year was last week at the NIB 12 Championships where she cleared 5-4. She is a money jumper. She will contend for this championship.

 

It will be crowded with 19 athletes entered. Also watch for Christina MacNab (Providence Catholic HS, New Lenox), Sami Battle (Pontiac HS), Jamari Drake (Southeast HS, Springfield), and Grace Cronin (Fenwick HS, Oak Park) to be in the mix of a top finish.

 

Boys 9:00 AM – If you have not seen Alex King (Massac County HS, Metropolis) compete, you are in for a treat. He cleared 7-1 last year at the state meet. He has a never say die attitude. Could we see a 7 foot jump Saturday morning? It is a possibility.

 

This is a good field with two other jumpers besides King 6-8 or better this season. Logan Zeman (LaSalle-Peru HS) cleared 6-9, a three inch PR, in winning the NIB-12 Championships. Devante Clark (Jacksonville HS) cleared 6-8 at his own invitational at the beginning of March. If King is off, either of these two athletes could win.

 

Other jumpers to watch include Sabree Bakari (Southeast HS, Springfield), Will Daniels (Geneseo HS), and Erik Inman (Metamora HS).

 

Pole Vault

Girls 11:00 AM – Not the strongest of the 2A Girls event, there are three athletes that are close to two feet better than the rest of the athletes in this event. Lindsey Murray (Harrisburg HS has been over 12 feet all season. Her best vault was 12-6 in January at the Arkansas HS Invitational. Kassadee Ifft (Prairie Central HS, Fairbury) established a new PR when she cleared 12-0 ¾ two weeks ago in New York. Claire Buck (Triad HS, Troy) cleared 11-10 ½ at a USATF meet in February. She has been near that clearance most of the indoor season. The winner of this event will come from one of these three athletes.

 

Boys 9:00 AM – I think we are going to see a winning vault of 15-6 or higher in this meet. Tyler Jourdan (Salem HS) continues to improve with every meet he is in. Last week at Charleston, he cleared 15-4 to win the event. Right behind him was Chase Black (Charleston HS) who cleared 15-0 in that meet. I would watch for this two battling for the championship.

 

Three other athletes in this meet have cleared 14-0 or better. Keep an eye on Joseph McDaniel (Mt. Vernon HS), Dylan Kuipers (Kaneland HS, Maple Park), and Joe Bevilacqua (Central Catholic HS, Bloomington) to challenge for one of the top spots.

 

Shot Put

Girls 9:00 AM – This event is going to be Lena Giger vs. Lena Giger. The Highland senior is in a class by herself in this meet having the best performance over the next athlete by six and a half feet. She has the fourth best performance in the nation with a 50-0 put in New York. We could see something special on Saturday.

 

In any other year, Gabi Jacobs (University HS, Normal) would be a state champion. She improved her best performance to 43-6 last week at the University of Illinois. We could see her go past 45-0 this weekend. Other athletes to watch include Latavia Maines (Centralia HS), Ranija Turner (Central HS, Champaign), Bralon Mack (Herrin HS), and Allison Richter (Triad HS, Troy).

 

Boys 11:00 AM – Nate Dyer (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) has improved two feet from his outdoor best of last year. His 55-5 put at his conference meet last week makes him one of the favorites in this event.

 

Two athletes to watch are Trevor Fox (Dunlap HS) and Sam Sikon (Carbondale HS). Sikon is only a freshman who keep’s getting better and better. Also watch for AJ Marmion (Geneseo HS), Tanner Farmer (Highland HS), and Evan Short (Sycamore HS) to challenge.

 

 

TRACK EVENTS

 

3200 Meter Run

Girls 10:15 AM – Maura Beattie (Woodstock HS) would like to go one place higher this season. Last year, she finished second behind Marengo’s Katie Adams. Beattie ran 11:04 last weekend in Wisconsin basically solo. She has the fastest seed time by seventeen seconds. It is possible that we see a sub 11 from her.

 

Sophomore Allison Zobrist (Highland HS) could push Beattie. She ran 111:21 at the end of February and has the talent to push the pace with the Woodstock runner. The one runner to watch is last fall’s 2A runner up in cross country Maryjeanne Gilbert (Notre Dame HS, Peoria). She ran her first 3200 last week with an 11:29 win at Knox College. She could be a surprise in this race.

 

Watch for Caitlyn Allen (Marengo HS), Ellie Willging (Freeport HS), Diane Lipa (Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn), and Brianna Bower (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) to be towards the front of this race as well.

 

Boys 10:00 AM – The top two 2A runners in this event, Zach Hird and Joe Singleton, will not be running here on Saturday. It leaves a wide-open field where a number of runners have the ability to win.

 

Brixton Rill (Fenwick HS, Oak Park) has the fastest seed time (9:45.49) after he finished third in the Chicago Catholic League Meet. Kyle Whitney and Nick Webber (Vernon Hills HS) will work off each other possibly pushing the race pace.

 

Clay Musial (Central HS, Burlington) is one runner that could win this race. Also watch for Ben Richter (Triad HS, Troy), Matt Norvel (Monticello HS), and Phillip Copeland (Dunlap HS) to be towards the front. After Webber, there are 8 runners that have seed times within five seconds of each other. We could see someone not mentioned in here win this race. 9:35 – 9:40 should be the winning time.

 

60 Meter Hurdles

Prelims 10:40 AM; Finals 11:45 AM

 

Girls – We could see a match-up of two of the top hurdlers in 2A. Chante Stonewell (University HS, Normal) has the fastest 2A time in the 60 Meter Race (9.21). Katelyn Hill (Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn) won her conference meet with an 8.73 55 meter time. Both athletes were all state last year. Both will challenge for the win.

 

The surprise in the 2A hurdles is Keatta Atkins (Orr Academy, Chicago). The junior is having a breakout season. It was topped by an 8.36 CPL Group B championship, the best 55 hurdles time in 2A. She could be a surprise in this race as well. Also watch for Bryce Weinrich (Central HS, Burlington) Taylor McCammon (McNamara HS, Kankakee), and Elise Hocking (Mahomet-Seymour HS) to be challenging for the win in this race.

 

Boys – Two weeks ago, Gary Hickman (Cahokia HS) was scoring points for his team until they were eliminated in the super-sectionals. Five days later, he ran his first hurdle race of the season showing up in a big way. His 7.55 55 hurdles win at Charleston gave him the fastest time in 2A. Hickman should be the favorite in this event.

He will have people near him in this race. Lucas Ege (Central HS, Burlington) ran 7.70 in the 55 hurdles last week at Byron. He should provide Hickman a challenge. Patrick Lefevre (Aurora Central Catholic HS) ran 7.79 in the 55’s at the beginning of the month. Put him in that mix as well.

 

Other athletes to watch include Nick Fizer (Thornridge HS, Dolton), Korrion Sessions (Cahokia HS), and Tevin Graham (Hillcrest HS, Country Club Hills).

 

 

60 Meter Dash

 

Prelims 11:00 AM, Finals 11:55 PM

 

Girls – Ebony McClendon (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) ran a US #8 6.98 in winning the CPL Meet last Sunday. She will be the athlete to watch in this event. She will have company. Ryan Preacely (Noble Street Charter / Johnson) finished second to her last week in the CPL Meet. She has the talent and potential to surprise in this meet.

 

Anna Sloan (Trinity HS, River Forest) won the GCAC in 7.20. She could be in the hunt for a top finish. Sarah Sepanski (Springfield HS) has quietly winning races this spring. Her 7.79 in the 60 at the end of February gives her the seventh best time in the state. She could surprise. Keep an eye out for Tyjuana Eason (Kankakee HS), Lauren Zick (Kaneland HS, Maple Park), and Dominique Lewis (Centennial HS, Champaign) to be in the finals in this event.

 

Boys – This could be a coming out party for Josh Eiker (Galesburg HS). Only a sophomore, he has opened eyes of many when he ran 6.96 on consecutive weekends. It’s the second best time in the state regardless of classification. Let’s see if he can dip under 6.9 on Saturday.

 

Dion Hooker (Sycamore HS), the 200 Meter state champ, has the big meet experience to challenge Eiker. Adam Nelson (Triad HS, Troy) has been also a surprise that could push for the win in this race. Patrick Cicciarelli (Notre Dame HS, Peoria) came within four hundredths of Eiker last weekend. Watch for him to be in the front. Other speedsters to watch include Jamari Hare (Cahokia HS), Dontae Adams (Harlan Academy, Chicago), and Davion McManis (Dunlap HS).

 

4 x 800 Meter Relay – 11:15 AM

Girls – This will be a wide open race. The first five teams are within nine seconds of each other. Montini has tradition on their side always having a competitive squad. Their time of 9:54.32 last weekend at Lewis is the best time in 2A by three seconds. The unnoticed team that will make noise in Mattoon. They have a good quartet that ran 9:57 two weeks ago at Charleston. They will challenge Montini in this race.

 

Mahomet-Seymour, Springfield, Glenbard South, and Rosary could put pressure on these front two teams. It will take 9:45 – 9:48 to win this race.

 

Boys – There is a good possibility that we will see a sub 8 time to win this race. Kaneland, led by Nathaniel Kucera and Kyle Carter, has the talent to win this race. They will be challenged by Springfield in this race. The Senators have embraced the fact that they are back in 2A by running some great individual 800 times led by Heath Warren. They could be the one team to push Kaneland.

 

Illiana Christian always steps up in this event in big meets. We could see the same thing on Saturday. Kevin Vreogh has been under 2 this year. He could make things interesting if the Vikings can stay close to the front in the first three legs. Don’t forget about Cahokia. They have the talent to could challenge these three teams.

 

800 Meter Run – 12:05 PM

Girls – Karina Liz (Aurora Central Catholic HS) has the fastest seed time (2:17.53_ by six seconds over her nearest competition. I would not be surprised if we see her under 2:15 in this race.

 

Aly Goff (Springfield HS) and Zoe Mead (Princeton HS) have not been under 2:20 this year, but both have the ability to do that. Naomi Springer (Olympia HS, Stanford), Twinkle Mehta (Mahomet Seymour HS), and Allie Sprague (Marengo HS) could surprise with top five finishes.

 

Boys – The first eight runners in this race have times within two seconds of each other. That means we could see an exciting race. Kevin Vroegh (Illiana Christian HS, Lansing) along with Heath Warren and David Sias (Springfield HS) will be coming back 40 minutes after running the 4 x 8. We will see what they have in their legs. Matt O’Connor (Central HS, Burlington) surprised Kaneland’s Nathan Kucera a couple of weeks ago at Batavia. I would watch for him.

 

Taylor Garett (Charleston HS), JD Lafayette and Alexander Bruno (University HS, Normal), and Luke Horton (Harrisburg HS) will be in the front as well. The one guy that could win is defending champion Zac Justus (Pontiac HS). He is coming back from basketball. He has only run 1 800 and that was last week in Champaign. He likes to push early. He could steal this race.

 

4 x 200 Meter Relay – 12:20 PM

Girls – This race will come down to Champaign Centennial and Kankakee. The key will be who can grab the lead the first 200 meters in the race. Centennial’s Dominique Lewis will help their chances. Kankakee has a veteran quartet led by Tyjuana Eason. Clinton, Noble Street Charter Johnson, and DeLaSalle could pull a surprise in this race.

 

Boys – Cahokia has the fastest heat time by more than two seconds over Galesburg. Ja’Mari Ward usually gives them a big lead. We will see how he fares in this race. My guess Cahokia will have the lead at that point. Galesburg, led by Josh Eiker could be a team that could win. Dunlap has a sneaky good sprint team that could pull a surprise. Chatham-Glenwood is always tough in the relays. Watch for them. Also keep an eye on Kaneland and Grayslake Central in Section 2 that could push for a top 3 finish.

 

400 Meter Dash – 12:45 PM

Girls – Both Karina Liz (Aurora Central Catholic HS) and Zoe Mead (Princeton HS) both will be coming back in this race after running the 800 45 minutes before. The one runner that could be the difference is NiaPearl Minor-Clark (De La Salle Institute, Chicago). She finished second at the GCAC Championships, but dipped under 60 seconds (59.65). She is the only athlete under 60 seconds in this event.

 

Also watch for Lunden Henry (Southeast HS, Springfield), Emma Griffiths (Providence Catholic HS, New Lenox), and Alex Thompson (University HS, Normal) to challenge for the race championship.

 

Boys – Top 2A runner Jeremiah Watson is not entered in this meet. It could be a Cahokia affair in this race. Jalon Monigan and Tyran Lyons have the top two times entered in this meet. Watch for them to be up front at the end. Tayvonne Landry (Carbondale could be the Cahokia pair’s biggest challenger.

 

1600 Meter Run – 1:00 PM

Girls – The top four milers in 2A so far this season are entered in this race. Allison Zobrist (Highland HS) has the fastest seed time (5:12.91), but she is coming back from the 3200. Meghan Carroll (St. Viator HS, Arlington Heights) had a great finish three weeks ago at Hononegah but had too much ground to catch Skyler Bollinger. She may be in better position to win this race.

 

Megan Shaffer (Mattoon HS) and Lauren Whitehouse (Mahomet-Seymour) will both be coming back from the 4x8 relay, Maura Beattie (Woodstock HS) from the 3200. All three have a chance to win. Sydney Billingsley (University HS, Normal) and Meagan McNicholas (Rochester HS) could also be in contention for the win.

 

Boys – Zach Hird has the fastest 2A time by 4 seconds but he is not here. That gives the favorite role to Simon Thorpe (Dixon HS). He ran 4:25 two weeks ago at Sterling. He could be near 4:20 in this race if he pushes it from the get go.

If that does not happen, it could be a sit and kick race. Ben Mohrdieck (Vernon Hills HS) has sub 2 leg speed that could be the difference. David Modert (Mt. Vernon HS) and Tony Wondaal (Illiana Christian HS, Lansing) could challenge up front. Brenner Webster (Salem HS) ran a4:20 for a surprising third at Charleston last week. He could be the surprise in this race.

 

200 Meter Dash – 1:20 PM

Girls – The third section should be a great final with Ebony McClendon (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) and Dominique Lewis (Centennial HS, Champaign) within five hundredths of a second of each other. Flip a coin in this race. Anna Sloan (Trinity HS, River Forest) ran 25.82 last week at GCAC, but was seeded in the second section of this event. It’s a shame that she will not race Lewis and McClendon. She could steal this race from the second section.

 

Boys – Josh Eiker (Galesburg HS) is the only runner in the 2A meet under 23 seconds. He will be the big favorite in this event. Kevion Akins (Cahokia HS) could challenge. So could Devonte Clark (Jacksonville HS). Watch for 200 Meter champion out of Section 2. He could blow under 23 in this race.

 

 

4 x 400 Meter Relay – 1:45 PM

Girls – This should be a good final event of the 2A meet. Springfield has the fastest 2A time (4:10.20). Right behind them is Brooks College Prep. They will have Ebony McClendon anchoring. If it is close in the 400 meters, that could be the difference. Champaign Centennial and DeLaSalle could surprise as well in this race.

 

Boys – This is Cahokia’s pride and joy. Last year’s third place finish has them a little more motivated in 2014. They have the fastest 2A time (3:26.40) close to four seconds. Burlington Central, Kaneland, and Chatham-Glenwood all have strong quartets to win this race.