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Girls AA Sectional Recap
What did we gather from the first round of the state playoffs?
Well, it looks like Barrington, E. St. Louis, and Thornton will be major front runners for the state championship. Barrington and E. St. Louis dominated their competition and advanced all key parts to Charleston. For ESL it means a completely healthy Ronecia Nash. Nash is defending champion in the short dashes and two relays. She now adds the 100H to her arsenal. It is possible that she could walk off the Eastern Illinois campus with four gold medals= 40 BIG points in tow. Besides being incredibly tough to beat will be that her supporting cast stepped up big at the Marion sectional. All the key relays ran well. It appears that legendary coach Nino Fennoy has condensed some personnel to relay duty after a few disappointing individual performances. Key contributors Ebone’ Washington, Chelsey Robinson, and Deara McNeal ran well and they will be the backbone behind Nash.
Barrington changed some things up from sectionals by not running anyone in the open 800m. The Fillies used that extra energy and personnel to get through a tough St. Charles North sectional with all the parts they need for Charleston. First, it was the 4x8 setting things up in a state all-time best of 9:03! Secondly, the sprint relays showed some life and will undoubtedly get stronger with a week of preparation despite not having a track facility to train on with consistency.
Thornton has come to life at the right time. Yes, Alex Smith has carried the team when teammate Diane Lindsay was out for an extended time. Now, the senior tandem will look to go out in style at state. Lindsay could win the LJ after leaping well over 18-0. Smith is an all-around workhorse in the hurdles, sprints, and relays.
What else impressed at sectionals?
The throws continue to be a big headliner as Dani Bunch (Mahomet-Seymour) and Bailey Wagner (Grant) continue to rack up huge numbers. They both have broken the former state all-time best prior to this season and now will clash in person. For the first time in history there could be two 50-foot throwers in one meet.
Middle-distance is making a comeback with the potential of a number of sub-5:00 clockings. Ashley Verplank (Bloomington) dominated her sectional over new rival Nicole Benson (Limestone) in the 1600. Verplank pulled away mid-way and never looked back. Benson was smarting after being defeated earlier in the 3200. Rebecca Tracy (Barrington) and Heather Olson (Warren) had impressive times in their respective mile races.
Who’s hot heading into state?
Toni Graham (Conant)- she snatched four first place finishes: 4x1, 4x2, 100, 200. Graham has not been challenged all season; Nevada Morrison (Proviso East)- has the top seed in the 400m and is seeking her first state championship. She also qualified in the Century, 4x1, and 4x4 relays; Barrington 4x8- ran the fastest time ever for Illinois girls and can run even faster under the right circumstances. They could get the ultra-elite sub 9:00; Conant 4x2- they ran 1:40.9 at sectionals but should go faster with better weather downstate; Ronecia Nash (E. St. Louis Sr.)- the defending state champion is unstoppable and running extremely well. Her 200m time (23.4) is over a full second better than anyone else in the field. She may not lose that one; Dani Bunch (Mahomet-Seymour)- “only” threw 49-feet in the shot. She will be the one to beat at state; Bailey Wagner (Grant)- second to Bunch but is defending state champion. Wagner is also the best ever discus thrower by numbers after heaving a sick 164’ earlier this season; Ashley Verplank (Bloomington)- who is going to challenge her? She aims to destroy some records but may need to do it solo. She has a 2:09 on her resume this season and sub-5:00.
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