2008 Girls State Preview: Gold, Silver, Bronze Edition
The moment of truth has just about to arrive for so many anxious souls. And Mother Nature has always have a way of soothing us. She knows that it's state championship time. Although the weather has not cooperated much at all this spring but it’s championship time now. That usually means temps in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s. Hopefully, Mother Nature will forecast us a pleasant weekend in Charleston and a great time at the state championship!
-Team capsules-
Top three predictions: 1) Barrington; 2) E. St. Louis Sr.; 3) Harvey Thornton
Barrington- despite the fact that so many naysayers disagree with the following sentiments about this team, they are defending state champions and undefeated this season. The Fillies lost a part or two but remain very strong in a number of critical areas. Their bread and butter will be the middle distances and relays. Aside from the 4x800r they are not sure-shot high scorers in the relays. But there are always parts to be filled and the great teams do that better than anyone else. Key pieces to the championship puzzle will start with Molly Glantz, Samantha Learch, and Rebecca Tracy. This trio has been here before so they know what to expect. Glantz and Learch are two of the most dynamic duos in state girls track history. They can compete in any track event with success. Glantz hurdles but has the ability to run long distance or sprint short distance with the best of them. Learch on the other hand will be seen rocketing out of sprint blocks to a victory and then putting the finishing touches on a 4x8 relay. Tracy holds down the middle distance arena and can fill in at the 4x4 if needed… but don’t forget about the others: Amanda and Jenny Schnack add depth to a strong line up. Jenny competes mostly in the long sprints and relays and Amanda- the sprint relays. Weaknesses? No points in the jumps this year and that may hurt should there be a slip up on the track. However, there is a rising star in sophomore pole vaulter Anna Etherington. Etherington has been a wonderful surprise to Coach Jody Gitelis. She is most proud of her consistency and constant improvement and her value could speak volumes this weekend in Charleston.
E. St. Louis Sr.- the Flyerettes have been down this path before so many times. Legendary coach Nino Fennoy has won a record 13 state championships but none since 1993. They have finished in the top 5 (team scoring) or better five of the seven years that state has been contested in the new millennium. Each time ESL has gotten closer to the big crown. The talent has been there along with misfortunes and bad breaks. Ronecia Nash is the standard here and the team title will go through her. The supporting cast is mighty strong though. There are field events, hurdlers, and relay components to consider. Deara McNeal, Ebone’ Washington, and Brittany Brimmage will look to bag up important points. As important as the field is, the bulk of the points will come from the track. ESL must take advantage of their strengths if they have they ever dream of the team title against vaulted Barrington.
Harvey (Thornton)- a well stocked team that could win the overall title except they will trade points with ESL and Barrington. No points in the distance area but that can be made up in the field. Thornton should rack up heavy points in the jumps. The relays are strong as well along with aces Diane Lindsay and Alex Smith. Factor in Ashley Stacey as a critical component to add depth in the field and track.
Other trophy threats: Hinsdale Central, Evanston, Hoffman Estates Conant, Waubonsie Valley, and Palatine.
-Event by Event look-
100m-
Last year’s winner: Ronecia Nash (ESL) 11.94 wind: -1.6
The top contenders: Ronecia Nash (E. St. Louis Sr.), Toni Graham (Hoffman Estates Conant), Yolanda Suggs (Belleville West), Ariel Robinson (Decatur MacArthur), Idia Omogiate (Chicago Lane Tech), Natalie Tartar (Batavia).
The buzz: Nash is back on top of her game after a so-so indoor season. She will be chased by area rival Suggs, who she has beaten three weeks in a row. Graham is ready to dethrone the champion after finishing second to her last year by one-tenth of a second.
Record threat: Alexandria Anderson’s meet record is safe.
Top three medalists: Nash, Graham, Suggs.
200m-
Last year’s winner: Ronecia Nash (ESL) 24.86 wind: -1.9
The top contenders: Nash, Graham, Suggs, Genesis Johnson (Rock Island), Olivia Allen (Lake Zurich), A. Robinson, Shakeia Pinnick (Aurora Waubonsie Valley).
The buzz: Nash will be fighting to keep her position in this one too. Nash may have more room for error after posting an outstanding 23.4 at the Marion Sectional. Graham and Johnson are great curve runners and that could be pivotal to them dethroning Nash. A dark horse in A. Robinson lurks should either top notch contender slip. Robinson was a relatively unknown until she recently demolished several of the state’s top sprinters. It has been reported that she has gone back to her summer club training and that has been the resurgence.
Record threat: this is one of Alexandria’s leaner records. It would be challenged but not broken.
Top three medalists: Nash, Graham, Genesis.
400m-
Last year’s winner: Casey Short (Naperville Central) 55.97
The top contenders: Nevada Morrison (Maywood Proviso East), Suggs, Jerika Lewis (Richton Park Rich South), Coryn Marzejon (Huntley), Libby O’Brien (Glen Ellyn Glenbard South)
The buzz: there is going to be a new sheriff in town. That’s because Short retired her badge and move on to soccer. Morrison appears to be the favorite despite Suggs having the top seasonal mark. Morrison is one of the most improved athletes in the state based on the strength that she is completely healthy. A bum hamstring limited her to relay duties last year at state. Marzejon was runner up in ’07 but hasn’t put together a great race yet. Look for her to get un-track in Charleston. O’Brien is as a smart quarter-miler in the field. Suggs appears to have put more energy in the short dashes later and they may cost her a title here.
Record threat: none. Anderson’s 52.xx is completely safe for another year.
Top three medalists: Morrison, Marzejon, O’Brien.
800m-
Last year’s winner: Casey Short (Naperville Central) 2:11.33.
The top contenders: Ashley Verplank (Bloomington), Pinnick, Elisha Crawley (Decatur MacArthur), McKinzie Schulz (Lisle Benet Academy), Alexis Sampson (Batavia).
The buzz: the only person even remotely close to challenging the great Verplank is Pinnick and the clock. Pinnick’s back tightened up last weekend rendering her to her lowliest finish in a high school race (4th). Verplank has not shied away from record talk. She has a 2:07.53 personal best from last June’s Nike Outdoor and an indoor best of 2:09. Last week at sectionals she went out in 60.xx to see what she is capable of. Shelly McBride’s (Crete-Monee) record of 2:07.4 is in trouble if Verplank can get pushed.
Record threat: yes. It may go down if the weather cooperates and the competition is up for the challenge.
Top three medalists: Verplank, Pinnick, Schulz.
1600m-
Last year’s winner: Ashley Verplank (Bloomington) 4:54.95.
The top contenders: Verplank, Nicole Benson (Bartonville Limestone), Rebecca Tracy (Barrington), Lizzy Hynes (St. Charles East), Heather Olson (Gurnee Warren), Liz Phillips (Lockport).
The buzz: the word here is Verplank is going for another feat whether in the prelim or final something big is going to happen. There are three sub-five girls prior to the state meet for the first time in a very long time. Benson started the season off hot but has since cooled down the last few weeks. Olson has the ability to push Verplank but it isn’t a front runner off of a fast early pace. Tracy and Phillips could be the duo to shake things up. The meet record pace was run off of 2:22, 3:37 efforts.
Record threat: yes.
Top three medalists: Verplank, Olson, Tracy.
3200m-
Last year’s winner: Kristina Aubert (Crystal Lake South) 10:51.12
The top contenders: Aubert, Benson, Hynes, Kristin Sutherland (Orland Park Sandburg), Caitlin Comfort (Peoria Notre Dame), Amber Stack (Wheeling), Lindsay Flanagan (Roselle Lake Park).
The buzz: who is the favorite here or are their multiple ones? At one point it appeared as though Flanagan would be the top choice as she clocked several 10:30’s during the indoor season. Then it was Benson running super efforts. Sutherland has been consistent in her first high school track season. Aubert is coming on strong now after breaking 11:00 for the first time this season at the Grayslake North sectional. Comfort is last year’s runner up and would like nothing more than to win the championship against girls that she has dominated during cross country years. There is one girl of note: Amber Stack. Stack won the title as a freshman before falling on some lean years. She has reinvigorated herself and her running by having an outstanding senior season.
Record threat: nope. Maria Cicero’s (York) 10:17.28 is awfully strong. Cicero went through the first mile in 5:02 in that race!
Top three medalists: Flanagan, Benson, Stack.
100HH-
Last year’s winner: Egle Staisunaite (Downers Grove South) 13.72w wind: +2.4
The top contenders: Pinnick, Tartar, Nash, Valencia Anderson (Plainfield North), Ayanna Scott (Springfield Lanphier), Timeka Watkins (E. St. Louis Sr.).
The buzz: Pinnick and Tartar are the favorites here. Tartar appears to be the #1 choice after a strong victory at sectionals over Pinnick. Nash dabbled with the short hurdles during last summer’s track circuit and now appears to have mastered them. Her tremendous flat speed alone makes her at least a top three candidate.
Record threat: no. Despite Tartar’s 13.5h at the Waubonsie sectional there is absolutely no chance in breaking legendary hurdler Dawn Harper’s meet record of 13.54.
Top three medalists: Tartar, Pinnick, Nash.
300H-
Last year’s winner: Egle Staisunaite (DGS) 41.67
The top contenders: Pinnick, Tartar, Morgan Monroe (Chicago Lane Tech), Lindsay Gierke (Maple Park Kaneland), Molly Glantz (Barrington), Ciara Turner (Rock Island).
The buzz: this race is Pinnick’s to lose. This is actually her strongest event in ’08. Tarter has a strong shot because she is such a great hurdler. Monroe got her feet wet by placing fourth last year. She could very well win it if it comes down to the final hurdles or the other girls tiring.
Top three medalists: Pinnick, Monroe, Tartar
4x100 relay-
Last year’s winner: E. St. Louis 47.25
The top contenders: ESL, Hoffman Estates Conant, Maywood Proviso East, Hinsdale Central, Harvey Thornton, Belleville West, Rock Island, Evanston.
The buzz: the traditional sprint schools will be represented here once again. ESL is defending champion and they have Nash on the anchor. Conant has Graham on the anchor. PE has N. Morrison in tow. Evanston has?? This should be a great one and thank goodness there is F.A.T. because the winner may come down to a photo finish.
Record threat: none. Morgan Park clocked 46.28 in ’01. That was the best ever quartet in Illinois history.
Top three medalists: Conant, ESL, Proviso East
4x200 relay-
Last year’s winner: ESL 1:39.73
The top contenders: ESL, Hoffman Estates Conant, Maywood Proviso East, Barrington, Bolingbrook, Belleville West.
The buzz: PE has the seasonal best but Conant is the hottest team in the state. The 1:40.9h they ran says a lot. They one thing: Graham. Even if they get behind on the anchor Graham can run down most any anchor in the state. ESL will not have Nash this time because of the hurdles. Barrington feels they can chop two seconds off their sectional mark and be in the scoring mix. PE will likely add 400m specialist Kendra Perkins and make them real contenders.
Record threat: yes. The winner will be close to Evanston’s 1:37.97
Top three medalists: Conant, ESL, Bolingbrook
4x400 relay-
Last year’s winner: Barrington 3:50.21
The top contenders: Maywood Proviso East, Evanston, Barrington, Edwardsville, ESL, Hinsdale Central, Batavia.
The buzz: the actual team title could come down to this race. Remember Barrington ran down PE on the anchor leg at state last year. PE allies contend that anchor N. Morrison was running on a bum hammy despite given a two second advantage. Still, the mighty quartet that put up the fastest season time last year and this one have one thing on their minds: state championship. The desire to win is so strong that several members actually drive around town with the finish line defeat action photo built into a sun visor as a constant reminder. ESL didn’t compete in this one last year and the difference was 9 points and the state title. Batavia will look to be spoilers as will Hinsdale Central. Evanston will muster a strong challenge. But the winner is likely going to come from either PE or Barrington. The winning time will likely be under 3:50- that’s what the stakes have come down to.
Record threat: not likely. ESL Lincoln’s 3:45.14+ has been the gold standard since 1984. Several great quartets have gotten close.
Top three medalists: Proviso East, Barrington, Batavia.
4x800m-
Last year’s winner: Barrington 9:09.67
Top contenders: Barrington, Palatine, Hinsdale Central, Downers Grove North, LaGrange Lyons Twp, Naperville North.
The buzz: Barrington is the best team here; no one within five seconds of them. Palatine and Hinsdale will duel for second. There should be a strong cluster of teams shooting for sub 9:20 status. Chicago Whitney Young should be battling for a final slot. It would be a first for a CPS squad.
Record threat: Yes. Barrington ran 9:03 at their sectional. This is four seconds faster than the meet record. The meet record is gone.
Top three medalists: Barrington, Palatine, Hinsdale Central.
-FIELD EVENTS-
Long Jump-
Last year’s winner: Brittani McNeal (Romeoville) 18-10.5
Top contenders: Malaikah Love (Carbondale), Diane Lindsay (Harvey Thornton), Skye Morrison (Maywood Proviso East), Kelsey Ontko (Lisle Benet Academy), Alex Harden (Springfield Southeast), Imari Mason (Chicago Kenwood), Ashley Stacey (Harvey Thornwood), Kaniece Pitts (Oak Park-River Forest).
The buzz: this event has tremendous balance to it with a number of jumpers topping 18-feet. Love is one jumper who hasn’t gotten un-tracked outdoors. She leaped a sickly 19-3 at IPTT. If she can get anywhere near that level then the gold medal is hers. Lindsay was state runner-up in ’07 and is now jumping as well as anyone. Harden is just a freshman but has several big leaps this season. Ontko remains a threat at a top position for Saturday’s final. S. Morrison is a first year high school leaper has the talent to jump upper 18’s.
Record threat: No. There is only one Alexandria Anderson and Jackie Joyner- no 20-footers.
Top three medalists: Lindsay, Love, Ontko
Triple Jump-
Last year’s winner: Breanna Sanner (Hillcrest) 40-4.25
Top contenders: Alex Smith (Harvey Thornton), Kellie Schuh (Crystal Lake South), Kawanna Brooks (Chicago Kenwood), Andrea Crump (Glenview Glenbrook South), Jordan Bond (Normal University), Kelly Steffen (Bloomington).
The buzz: pre-season predictions stated this was not a strong event but that notion has slightly changed. There appears to be more athletes competing in this event than in past years. A number of notables such Steffen, Brooks, Smith, and Schuh are talented oval competitors. Perhaps this will lead to some awesome performances this weekend. Brooks and Smith are probably the most pure jumpers here being that the TJ is their specialty. Smith placed in the top 3 last year, and now has the top seasonal mark after the sectional round.
Record threat: no.
Top three medalists: Smith, Brooks, Crump.
High Jump-
Last year’s winner: Jennifer Palovcsik (Belleville East) 5-7
Top contenders: Monica Jakutyte (Naperville Neuqua Valley), Elaine Patten (O’Fallon), Ellen Chapman (Glenview Glenbrook South)
The buzz: there are too many names to load here because it wouldn’t do justice to misplace a solid leaper. Jakutyte is destined to elevate but has issues when the spotlight gets bright. Chapman is just a freshman but has tremendous talent. Look for down south athlete Patten to keep the title there. Others such as Amy Kus (Rosary), Jenna Combs (Harlem), and Katie Forshey (Mahomet-Seymour) have a shot at top status.
Record threat: not this year.
Top three medalists: Patten, Jakutyte, Chapman.
Pole Vault-
Last year’s winner: Melissa Gergel (Chicago Heights Marian Catholic) 12-6
Top contenders: Jenna Wexter (New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central), Sarah Ross (Algonquin Jacobs), Meghan Court (Carol Stream Glenbard North), Jocelyn Kuksa (Palatine), Anna Etherington (Barrington), Emily Clay (Normal University), Megan Weller (Lincoln-Way East)
The buzz: the vault is very popular and it appears to be stronger than ever this year. Wexter, Ross, and Kuksa have all taken turns being at the top of the mountain. Wexter has a slight advantage because of vaulting and being more successful in bigger meets.
Record threat: yes. Someone is going to take a serious swipe at Sarah Landau’s 13-3.
Top three medalists: Wexter, Clay, Court.
Discus-
Last year’s winner: Erin Wycoff (Troy Triad) 147-9
Top contenders: Wycoff, Bailey Wagner (Fox Lake Grant), Tori Ziegler (Fox Lake Grant), Kristin Wycoff (Troy Triad), Lauren Orris (Palatine), Jordan Harris (Champaign Centennial), Kristin Thompson (Normal West)
The buzz: Wagner has already top the all-time mark this season in a duel meet. She also has experience of finishing second to E. Wycoff at state last year. E. Wycoff has thrown well this year. Her 150-foot toss would be the best mark in any other year but this one. It’s going to be a fun event to watch from a fan stanpoint as many as five throwers will near the 150’ mark.
Record threat: yes. It shall be history.
Top three medalists: Wagner, Ziegler, E. Wycoff
Shot Put-
Last year’s winner: Bailey Wagner (Grant) 46-6
Top contenders: Wagner, Daniella Bunch (Mahomet-Seymour), Ziegler, Martha Shepard (Palatine), Colleen McDonough (Tinley Park Andrew), Khadija Abdullah (Thornton)
The buzz: this is the #1 ranked event on the girls program. It has gotten so popular that it caused a scratch and disqualification from one of the state’s top sprinters. Last week at the Grayslake North Sectional, Lake Zurich speedster and 100m state title threat Olivia Allen was watching the SP and got so caught up in the action that she forgot to check for her race! Bunch has destroyed the existing record of 48-0 by over three feet! Her 51-0.75 sets a new standard in which all throwers must abide by. Wagner is defending state champ and she has also thrown over the old mark. There may be two throwers over 50- feet at state but only one winner.
Record threat: YES. The state meet record was the old all-time mark. It should get destroyed.
Top three medalists: Bunch, Wagner, Ziegler. |
