18^th Annual Illinois Prep Top Times Preview

Class A Girls

Sprints-

The sprinting action should be quite hot as Benton will feature senior tandem Leah Orley (left) and Courtney Smith. Smith comes in with top marks in the 55m and 200m dashes. Smith has blazed out to a 7.50 clocking at SIU in early March. Look out for senior Penny Grant (Beardstown). She will challenge very seriously for the individual crown in the short dash as her 7.51 mark attests. Other short dashers to consider are Lacey Hainline (Sherrard), Brittany Loudermilk (Princeton), and Shannelle McClure (Chicago Providence St. Mel). Smith’s teammate is no slouch as Orley has been a very good sprinter and even a better hurdler this indoor campaign. The University of Arkansas signee will look to defend her title against very hungry competitors. Not to be outdone in the hurdles are Sara Boraas (Sherrard), Michelle Jack (West Central). If Megan Stringer (Central A & M) and Emily Becker (Pleasant Plains) show up the competition will get tremendously stiffer.

The 400m will not be a Clydesdale affair as 7 of the top 8 quarter-milers commit. One big name stands out prominently and that is no other than Chicagoan Regina George (now at St. Gregory. She may be the top long sprinter in either class but has yet to commit. If not, the competition will be very strong as Orley comes with a 1:00.31 clocking. Others that will be featured are Lee Ann Michl (Newton), Kelly Currin (Bloomington CC), and Miriam Rutzen (West Central).

Distance-

Distance running in Illinois has always been the main staple when it comes to track and field. This year it will be more prominent than ever. One name may even outshine the entire field and that person is no other than Stephanie Brown of Tri-Valley. Brown has set the indoor season on fire with several top national marks. There is no doubt she will be the heavy favorite in the 800/1600. She has blazed a mind-altering 2:08.1 several weeks ago against cross-town darling Ashley Verplank (Bloomington). If there is one person that can stalk or even run with Brown, that individual is Regina George. George has a lifetime best of 2:10 and has run a solid 2:16 this season. Moreover, don’t count out Eureka’s Olivia Klaus and Sherrard ace Shelbie Pettie. They all have run under 2:20 this season. The metric mile will be more of Brown against the clock or against whatever any AA runs the next day.

Relays-

Benton has the top mark in the 4x200 at 1:51.29. The next best entered mark is by Newton well back in 1:53.25. Annawan-Weathersfield will look to win their first indoor title in the 4x400 as they clocked 4:16.1h and lead a solid entrant field. Bloomington CC has the top 4x8 mark of 10:21.

Field events-

Courtney Smith (Benton) leads the LJ field by over a foot with an 18-0 mark. Leah Orley (Benton) is a heavy favorite in the TJ at 38.6.75. That’s 2.5 feet better than the nearest competitor. Long sprinter Miriam Rutzen (West Central) has the top clearance of 5-6 in the HJ. A steady stream of girls are 5-5 and several more cleared 5-4. Brittney Knodle (Byron) is to vaulter, coming in at 10-6. Freshman Kelsey Card (Carlinville) has chucked the shot put an amazing 43-0.75- more than five feet further than her nearest opponent.

-Boys-

Sprints/Hurdles/Relays-

The 55m dash will be strong as fast marks abound. Jordan Thomas (Oregon), Tommie Taylor (Herrin), Mike Woodard (Winnebago), and Mike Lindsay (St. Joe Ogden) all come in with marks under 6.70. Taylor has the top F.A.T. mark of 6.58- just short of Thomas’ manual 6.54 converted. Taylor leads the 200m with at 23.26. IPTT has landed the top two long dashers in Theotis James (Bishop Mac) and Zebo Zebe (Tolono Unity). James is the favorite with a recent clocking of 52.14.

Quinn Carter (Hampshire) ran a leading 7.64 converted in the hurdles. He is the heavy favorite here.

Herrin leads a relatively deep field of 4x200 relayers. They won the mighty SIU Invite in a slick 1:35.26. They will be heavy favorites unless Sterling Newman can duplicate the 1:35.5h from last week.

4x4 action is always hot. Tolono comes in a leading but modest 3:39 but it should be competitive unless some other top seeds enter late. If Byron, Rochester, or Carlinville show up, things will change drastically.

4x800 will be top entrant Urbana U-High at 8:33. Byron, if entered, ran 8:31. Winnebago, Beecher, and Stauton are just over 8:40.

Distance-

The 800m will feature the top 5 efforts led by Parker Thompson (Tremont) and followed up with Hunter Mickow (Princeton) and Josh Wilson (Sherrard). Their efforts are separated by less than five tenths of a second. Expect Mickow to double back from the half to the 1600. He has run 4:26 but Peter Callanhan (North Shore Country Day) has the top mark and may enter on meet day.

The 3200m looks weak based on the fact there were barely any quality 2miles to compete in. Still, Brian Peterson (Fieldcrest) 9:45 and Logan Block (Knoxville) will lock horns as their season bests are only one second apart.

Field-

A slew of mid 21 footers dominate the landscape. Herrin is known for their long jumpers and they add two new additions in Tony Bradley and Kent Sherrill at 21-7 and 21-6 respectively. Sprinter Tommie Taylor will lead the Herrin charge in the TJ as he has consistently soared past 45 feet this season. He is the top entrant.

Mike Eller (Reed-Custer) is looking to be in the strong field as he cleared 15-0 this season. There is long time vaulter Cody Doerflein (DuQuoin). He is also in the 15-foot club. Finally, the shot put rounds things out with Mike Eader (Frankfort). He threw 57-4 to entrant and fellow 50+ member Brian Benning (Winnebago) 52-4.