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Tony Jones- Dyestat Illinois/ESPN RiSE
Girls- Class AA Preview
The newly structured Class AA will be unveiled at the Shirk Field House in the 19th Annual Illinois Prep Top Times meet. A ton of schools that would be competitive in the AAA class will do battle amongst themselves. Some of the featured schools are Bloomington, Chicago Kenwood, Galesburg, Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), Mahomet-Seymour, and Normal (University) were mainstays amongst the bigger AA teams in past years.
Sprints-
The sprints (55m, 55HH, 200m, 400m) will feature some serious star power: Ashley Roche from Troy (Triad), Rebekah Johnson (Normal University), Libby O’Brien (Glen Ellyn Glenbard South), and Kawanna Brooks of Chicago Kenwood. The 55m will feature Brooks, Johnson, and Roche. There is also a newcomer on the block in Lake Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa has run some impressive times despite just being a freshman. She will double back in the 200m with O’Brien, Roche, and Johnson. O’Brien will dual with Marissa Goliday of Richards Oaklawn. These two outstanding athletes are the only two with marks under 1:00. Brooks is the top choice in the hurdles. She may be the third best hurdler in all of Illinois behind Waubonsie Valley’s Shakeia Pinnick and Batavia hurdle queen Natalie Tartar.
Distance-
Margo Richardson (Mt. Vernon) has been hot since opening her indoor season earlier this month. She is currently undefeated in the 800m and 1600m. It appears ever since she won the cross country title in the fall that the sky is the limit as 2:20 and 5:14 marks attest. Maggie Gannon (Burlington Central) has probably the second best chance of chasing down Richardson in the half-mile. Add Yorkville’s Krysten Sebby’s and Rock Island’s Kathleen Hogan for added depth. Christina Splieka should pose a formable foe in the 1600m. Splieka drops down after having some great success at the longer 3200m. Chelsea Sondgeroth from Dixon is entered in the 1600m with a solid 5:27.3 mark. Olivia Kevin of Sycamore is slightly better at 5:27.1
Field-
Is there a bigger name than Daniella “Dani” Bunch of Mahomet-Seymour. She has virtually made the shot put a must see event. The nation’s #2 returnee and Illinois all-time leader is just now hitting her stride after a winter slumber of basketball. Emily Clay of Normal University is just a sophomore, but she has already established herself as one of the best Pole Vaulters in the state. She has cleared 11-0 for the second year in a row. The ever so improved Jen Jenkins of Rochelle will be chasing after the chart topping Kawanna Brooks of Chicago Kenwood in both jumps. Brooks has all class leading marks of 18-6 (Long Jump) and 38-4.5 (Triple Jump). Jenkins is ranked second in both AA categories.
Relays-
Galesburg is considered a big favorite in the 4x200m but Bloomington will chase hard. Cross-town rival Normal (University) has two inputs in Rebekah Johnson and Jordan Bond that could make them contenders. Mahomet-Seymour and Glenbard South have virtually the same stats in the 4x400: 4:15.1-4:15.2. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out. Burlington Central and Galesburg have run 4:16’s this indoor season and will be in contention for top honors. Springfield Sacred Heart Griffen will battle Yorkville and Mahomet-Seymour for top honors in the 4x800m relay and push each other for the sub- 10:00 barrier. Dixon and Sycamore will field competitive units. |
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