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Illinois Prep Top Times
IHSA Class AA Girls
Track & Field Preview
2008 Season
Returning Outdoor Leaders
100m
11.74+ Ronecia Nash 12 E. St. Louis Sr.
11.95 Toni Graham 12 Hoffman Estates (Conant)
11.99 Lindsay Gierke 11 Maple Park (Kaneland)
12.04+ Olivia Allen 11 Lake Zurich
12.04+ Yolanda Suggs 11 Belleville West
12.14+ Chelsea Robinson 10 E. St. Louis Sr.
12.17 Natalie Tartar 11 Batavia
12.19 Idia Omogiate 11 Chicago Lane Tech
12.23 Hanna Query 12 Mahomet-Seymour
12.24+ Tyler Burke 11 Homewood-Flossmoor
Preview: the most popular event in girls track- the Century return 8 of
the top 10.
Most notably is the depth and experience led by speedsters Nash and
Graham. Nash
is defending state champion while Graham took runner-up honors. Expect
more of the
same from these two. Repeating will be difficult for Nash as several
others look to get
in the derby.
200m
24.01 Ronecia Nash 12 E. St. Louis Sr.
24.51 Adrienne Slaughter 11 Evanston
24.64+ Samantha Learch 12 Barrington
24.64+ Yolanda Suggs 11 Belleville West
24.74+ Toni Graham 12 Hoffman Estates (Conant)
24.78 Shakeia Pinnick 11 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
24.81 Coryn Marzejon 12 Huntley
24.82 Jerika Lewis 11 Richton Park (Rich South)
24.84+ Amanda Schnack 12 Barrington
25.04+ Alia McAfee 12 Oak Lawn (Richards)
Preview: Nash is defending state champion here as well in perhaps her
best event. She will be hard to beat.
The Flyerette clocked a blazing 24.01 over the summer. Slaughter has
the talent to challenge but was mostly
relegated to relays in '07 partly because of work habits. Coach Fenton
Gunter may spring the speedster more
in the individual race toward the post-season. Graham was state
runner-up and should be consistently in the 24's
this season.
400m
55.95 Shakeia Pinnick 11 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
55.97 Casey Short 12 Naperville Central
56.14+ Yolanda Suggs 11 Belleville West
56.16 Coryn Marzejon 12 Huntley
56.54 Jennifer Schnack 11 Barrington
56.84+ Eileen Moran 12 New Lenox (Providence Catholic)
56.84+ Jessica Lenoir 11 Alton
57.04 Chelsey Robinson 10 E. St. Louis Sr.
57.14+ Kindra Perkins 12 Maywood (Proviso East)
Preview: the one-lapper has probably been the leanest of the sprints
over the years. Aside from Morgan Park's
Alexandria Anderson's exploits a few years ago, 55.xx can win the state
title. This year it will be a very strong event depth-wise with 19 of
the top 20 one-lappers returning. There will be a newcomer to the fray
via Chicago's Whitney Young freshman Raena Rhone, who turned out a 55.85
during the 2007 club curcuit. Rhone performed these exploits as a 13
year old 8th grader!
Still the preeminent quarter milers in the land of Lincoln will be
Pinnick and Short should they compete in this event.
800m
2:07.59 Ashley Verplank 12 Bloomington
2:11.33 Casey Short 12 Naperville Central
2:12.27 Shakeia Pinnick 11 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
2:14.06 McKinzie Schulz 10 Lisle (Benet Academy)
2:14.54+ Nicole Benson 12 Bartonville (Limestone)
2:14.58 Sarah Hartley 12 Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
2:14.72 Maggie Sutor 11 Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)
2:15.04+ Kalli Dalton 11 Hoffman Estates (Conant)
2:15.04+ Samatha Learch 12 Barrington
2:15.19 Kathryn Ryan 12 Chicago (St. Ignatius)
Outlook: this event is probably the most competitive if not explosive on
the girls program.
Short is two-time defending state champion despite having the least
amount of competitive
experience. She is perhaps the smartest of any recent middle-distance
runner in Illinois
because of her critical racing acumen. Verplank placed a somewhat
disappointing
second place two years in a row. However, the University of North
Carolina bound
super talent will have all the confidence in the world
Casey Short will shoot for another state
title in the 800, but will have to once again face Ashley Verplank.
this season. Verplank enjoyed a great
post-season: placing 4th at Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2:07.59- the
second fastest time in Illinois history. Verplank always competed
in the Junior nationals and made
the finals against some of the country's top young talent. Pinnick is
no stranger to the 2-
lapper. She is potentially a 2:05 runner if she would solely
concentrate on the event. However,
the multi-talented wonder kid competes like a heptathlete.
1600m
4:54.95 Ashley Verplank 12 Bloomington
5:00.37 Nicole Benson 12 Bartonville (Limestone)
5:00.56 Rebecca Tracy 11 Barrington
5:01.30 Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hynes 11 St. Charles East
5:01.30 Kristina Aubert 10 Crystal Lake South
5:01.61 Kalli Dalton 11 Hoffman Estates (Conant)
5:01.87 Kailyn Kuzmuk 12 Tinley Park (Andrew)
5:02.27 Elaine Kuckertz 11 Hinsdale Central
5:02.70 Heather Olson 11 Gurnee (Warren)
5:04.64c McKinzie Schulz 10 Lisle (Benet Academy)
Outlook: the "mile" will make a comeback and be one of the stronger
events on the program
calendar. It appears that some of the fastest 800 runners are moving up
to the event. Verplank
has shown a fondness for the event despite being know for the half
mile. Could this be the year
that the legendary 4:46 go down? It has been since the 80's a strong
group come along. Benson
could push the envelope since she has a very nice mix of speed and
distance. Tracy nearly broke
5:00 but will be expected to double and triple much of the year. Hynes
might concentrate on the
longer distance now that she is healthy.
3200m
 
Kailyn
Kuzmuk (left) and Kristin Sutherland will lead a contingent of 2 milers
from the southwest suburbs
10:51.12 Kristina Aubert 10 Crystal Lake South
10:56.04+ Caitlin Comfort 12 Peoria (Notre Dame)
11:04.16 Stephanie Strasser 10 St. Charles North
11:05.23 Kailyn Kuzmuk 12 Tinley Park (Andrew)
11:07.50 Lauren Zumbach 11 Hinsdale Central
11:08.14+ Rebecca Tracy 11 Barrington
11:09.96 Katherine Rack 10 Oak Park-River Forest
11:10.14+ Amber Stack 12 Wheeling
11:11.28 Annette Glaz 12 Palos Hills (Stagg)
11:13.24+ Jane Simpson 12 LaGrange (Lyons Twp)
Outlook: the "2 mile" was not a strong nor was it an exciting event in
2007. Give Aubert credit for winning
the state championship but repeating will be very difficult. If the
recent cross country season was any
indication of things to come, then the faithful are going to witness
some great performances. AAA
cross country state champion Kristin Sutherland (Sr.) Orland Park
Sandburg has officially given up Soccer
according to her father. Although Sutherland hasn't competed in any
high school track meet she would
have to be considered at least a co-favorite for the state title. So
many great long distance runners are
going to turn this event out and around. Nicole Benson only tampered
with it last season indoors but is
capable of sub 10:30 status as is Comfort and a few others. Exciting
times are on the rebound here for
the purists. Don't forget about AA cross country champ Nicole Benson
from Limestone. She didn't run
the 3200 much but will be among the best if she chooses.
Long
Jump
 18-5.75
Shakeia Pinnick 11 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
18-3.5 Diane Lindsay 12 Harvey (Thornton)
18-3.25 Candice Weisinger 12 South Holland (Thornwood)
18-1.5 Brittany Tolar 12 Evanston
18-0 Aimee Schuh 12 Crystal Lake South
17-10.5 Kelsey Ontko 12 Lisle (Benet Academy)
17-10 Ashley Stacey 10 Harvey (Thornton)
17-9.5 Maya Rittmanic 10 St. Charles East
17-6.75 Paige Steffan 12 Bloomington
17-6.75 Nakeia Lovett 10 Cahokia
17-6.5 Kristin Clark 11 Northbrook (Glenbrook North)
Outlook: Pinnick is the purest jumper here but will
probably opt out of serious
competition. The lead jumper will probably be Lindsay as she was state
runner-up.
Neighboring jumper Weisinger has improved each of the past two seasons
and
will look to improve to the top spot. Tolar is capable of much more
than 18' but had a
down '07 campaign. Ontko is a solid jumper and should not be
overlooked.
Triple Jump
38-9.25 Alexandria Smith 12 Harvey (Thornton)
38-2.25 Malaikah Love 12 Carbondale
37-10.5 Krista Stillson 12 Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
37-8 Donielle Ross 12 Peoria Richwoods
37-8 Kawanna Brooks 11 Chicago Kenwood
37-2.5 Candice Weisinger 12 South Holland (Thornwood)
36-7.5 Andrea Crump 12 Glenview (Glenbrook South)
36-3.5 Kellie Schuh 12 Crystal Lake South
36-3.25 Crystal Vanderzee 12 Lansing (Illiana Christian)
36-3 Amanda Caines 10 Evanston
Outlook: this event appears to be the bleakest of all field events.
Only one
40-foot jumper was on the docket last season and she graduated. Smith
is the
leading candidate to fill departed Breanna Sanner's (Hillcrest) title.
Love is the top
jumper from southern Illinois.
High Jump
5-7 Monica Jakulyta 12 Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
5-6 Kristen Willeford 10 Mascoutah
5-5 Constance Sciacero 12 Sterling
5-5 Kelly Moser 12 Plainfield North
5-5 Christine Bowe 11 Downers Grove South
5-4 Kaitlin Loos 11 Sterling
5-4 Nora Hanzel 12 Glenview (Glenbrook South)
5-4 Janet Plonka 12 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)
5-4 Marissa Golliday 11 Oak Lawn (Richards)
5-4 Rachel Banner 12 St. Charles East
5-4 Amanda Rafidia 10 Roselle (Lake Park)
5-4 Victoria Mikszta 12 Hoffman Estates
5-4 Elaine Patten 11 O'Fallon
Outlook: tremendous balance will return and there is not a clear cut
favorite. Bowe
returns as top state placer but Jakulyta has top clearance. Still,
there should be
at least six girls vying for 5-8 or better.
Shot Put
46-8 Bailey Wagner 12 Fox Lake (Grant)
45-0.25 Khadisha Abdullah 12 Harvey (Thornton)
43-7.75 Daniella Bunch 11 Mahomet-Seymour
43-0 Katie Vukovich 12 Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
42-11 Tori Ziegler 12 Fox Lake (Grant)
42-1.75 Geneva McCall 12 Dolton (Thornridge)
41-9 Brittany Smith 11 Oak Park-River Forest
41-2 Dana LaRue 12 South Holland (Thornwood)
40-8 Martha Shepard 11 Palatine
39-4.5 Emily Gruendel 11 Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
Outlook: Wagner is defending indoor and outdoor champion. She will
continue
the Grant tradition of dominant throwing along with teammate Ziegler.
Abdullah
will challenge the duo. Bunch and Vukovich are strong throwers.
Discus Throw
147-11 Bailey Wagner 12 Fox Lake (Grant)
147-9 Erin Wycoff 12 Troy (Triad)
139-8 Jordan Harris 12 Champaign Centennial
138-6 Laura Orris 11 Palatine
137-0 Geneva McCall 12 Dolton (Thornridge)
131-5 Brittany Smith 11 Oak Park-River Forest
127-7 Tori Ziegler 12 Fox Lake (Grant)
127-7 Kristin Wycoff 12 Troy (Triad)
127-6 Annamarie Cassata 12 Lincolnshire (Stevenson)
124-7 Megan Kerns 11 Peoria Richwoods
124-0 Lizzy Jones 12 Minooka
Outlook: E. Wycoff is defending state champion and Wagner was runner
up. These
two should battle once more for individual supremacy. Harris improved
well at the end of the season to place third. It is totally possible to
see two
150' throwers for the first time in one season.
Pole vault
11-6 Jenna Wexter 12 Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)
11-3 Jocelyn Kuksa 12 Palatine
10-6 Courtney Fisher 12 Normal Community
10-6 Meghan Court 12 Carol Stream (Glenbard North)
Outlook: nearly all of the top vaulters graduated including All-American
Melissa
Gergel (Marian Catholic), who is now vaulting for University of Oregon.
Wexter and
Kuksa are the favorites in a wide open event.
100HH
14.17w Natalie Tartar 11 Batavia
14.35w Jere Richardson 12 Cahokia
14.54+ Melisa Norville 11 Batavia
14.59 Shakeia Pinnick 11 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
14.72 Ronecia Nash 12 E. St. Louis Sr.
14.77w Valencia Anderson 12 Plainfield North
14.86w Roneisha Frye 12 Belleville East
14.99 Megan Gregory 12 Plainfield North
15.10 Aimee Schuh 12 Crystal Lake South
15.12 Morgan Monroe 12 Chicago Lane Tech
Outlook: a very upperclassmen dominated event that should yield very
good results.
Tarter and Pinnick are the top short hurdlers here based on speed and
technique. Tartar
is the favorite because of a shorter meet workload. Pinnick is the
better natural talent
but has put the least amount of emphasis on this event in her long
program. Richardson
will challenge as will Norville.
300H
42.65 Shakeia Pinnick 11 Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
42.84 Natalie Tartar 11 Batavia
43.43 Morgan Monroe 12 Chicago Lane Tech
43.44+ Jere Richardson 12 Cahokia
44.24+ Molly Glantz 12 Barrington
44.44+ Florence Mafany 11 Skokie (Niles North)
44.69 Lindsay Gierke 11 Maple Park (Kaneland)
44.99 Paige Steffen 12 Bloomington
45.24 Jenna Combs 10 Machesney Park (Harlem)
45.24+ Leah Schnenkier 12 Evanston
Outlook: Pinnick is a top 5 hurdler in the nation. She put up a 59.1
400H time during
the summer which indicates she is at least flirting with low 41's.
Tartar is solid here
although she prefers the shorter barriers. Monroe had a breakout season
in '07 and
has set her goals very high for '08. Richardson was an unknown until
state and Glantz
is stable as ever. The long hurdles will continue to prove one of the
strongest events
throughout the season.
4x100m
47.25 E. St. Louis Sr.
47.84 Barrington
47.94 Hoffman Estates (Conant)
48.00 Freeport
48.04+ Cahokia
48.23 Evanston
48.43 Chicago Morgan Park
48.62 Rock Island
48.64+ Maywood (Proviso East)
48.68 Hinsdale Central
Outlook: the usual teams will do what is expected of them. The top
three state
state placing teams return at least 3/4 of their legs for another state
run. Although
ESL and Conant appear to be the front runners Evanston will be very
strong. The
Wildkits welcome in some gifted freshman plus a few relay holdouts.
Cahokia
will use their state experience and be primetime contenders in '08.
Proviso East
could be among the top short relay elite if personnel is link
properly.
4x200m
1:39.73 E. St. Louis Sr.
1:40.98 Harvey (Thornton)
1:41.11 Evanston
1:41.42 Hoffman Estates (Conant)
1:42.18 Barrington
1:42.32 Rock Island
1:42.74+ Cahokia
1:42.95 Downers Grove South
1:43.15 Hinsdale Central
1:43.38 South Holland (Thornwood)
Outlook: the usual suspects once more will rule the intermediate relay
again.
ESL has Nash and her low 23.xx wheels. Thornton has a great mix of
hurdlers
and long sprinters who can run this relay. Evanston is a year older and
they are
completely retooled. Conant has the workhorse Toni Graham. At least
five teams
should be under 1:40 and several more under 1:39.
4x400m 
3:48.36 Maywood (Proviso East)
3:50.21 Barrington
3:51.76 Evanston
3:54.74+ E. St. Louis Sr.
3:55.05 Edwardsville
3:55.84+ Cahokia
3:56.37 Lisle (Benet Academy)
3:56.84 Hinsdale Central
3:56.86 Bloomington
3:57.02 Chicago Morgan Park
3:57.06 Chicago Lane Tech
Outlook: Proviso East copped the top spot from '07 at Youth Nationals
but Barrington
was the top relay team as they went undefeated in championship action.
The
Fillie quartet ran down rivals PE twice last season: at the Glenbard
West Invite and the
state final. Expect more of the same in '08 as the PE and Barrington
will both
be loaded once more. Word is PE is shooting for astronomical goals
beyond the
all-time and state meet record of 3:44.9 put up by the legendary 1984
ESL squad.
Evanston will be in the hunt too. ESL didn't run well in this relay
last season despite
having the talent. Lane Tech has a shot at the 3:50 mark before season's
end
as the Lady Indians have three legs back powered by Morgan Monroe.
4x800m
9:09.34+ Barrington
9:14.11 Palatine
9:14.11 Hinsdale Central
9:17.80 Wheaton North
9:19.36 Lisle (Benet Academy)
9:19.59 Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
9:20.80 Edwardsville
9:22.91 Chicago (St. Ignatius)
9:25.48 Naperville North
9:25.83 Fox Lake (Grant)
Outlook: last season was a record year for this event. 8 of the top 10
teams
set school records. Barrington came within fractions of the state
all-time best.
They will be strong once more. Palatine is always a front runner in
this event and
that will not change. Mt. Prospect will be good as will Naperville
North. Roselle
Lake Park faded at the end of the outdoor season but should rebound.
Keep
an eye on Chicago Whitney Young. They proved the naysayers wrong by
becoming
the first Public League team to advance to state in cross country. They
have a
wealth of young middle-distance talent.
Girls AA Team Preview: 2008
2007 top scoring state championship teams:
Barrington 55, E. St. Louis Sr. 46, Harvey (Thornton) 36, Hoffman
Estates (Conant) 35, Downers Grove South 27, Mahomet-Seymour 25.5.
2007 was a historic year in which one longtime
champion was dethroned (Evanston) and a new one crowned for the first
time (Barrington). Barrington became the first school outside of E. St.
Louis Sr., Chicago South Shore, Chicago Morgan Park, and Evanston to win
the team title. The Fillies went undefeated and undeterred and as they
were on a mission to prove the naysayers that the 2006 state meet
debacle was in the rearview mirror. They never even looked back after
winning the first event on the track (4x800r) and didn’t blink after
snatching the last event (4x400r).
2008 will have the usual characters be vying for
supremacy but it should be much tighter from 1st to 5th
teams. Barrington will be slight favorites with ESL back strong and a
re-vamped Evanston squad on the prowl. Don’t count out Thornton either
or MSL rival Conant.
-Top
Team capsules-
Barrington-
2007 highlights: Palatine Relay champs, MSL champs,
sectional champs, state champion.
Key returns: 4x1,4x2,4x4,4x8; Molly Glantz (Sr.)-
hurdles, relays,400,800; Jayne Jaderholm (Jr.)- sprints, hurdles, long
jump; Samantha Learch (Sr.)- 200,400,800, relays; Amanda Schnack (Sr.)-
sprints and relays; Jenny Schnack (Jr.)- sprints and relays; Rebecca
Tracy (Jr.)- 800, 1600, 4x8.
Outlook: despite winning the state championship and
returning a ton of all-state talent Coach Jody Gitelis feels her team
has a disadvantage in defending its crown. For starters, the Fillies
don’t have a indoor facility train in. Not even a school hallway. Now
compound things with no outdoor track either. The school board recently
approved construction of a new track, but it’s not due for completion
until the 2009 season. In the meantime, Barrington’s best will have to
do whatever necessary to get the job done. That means using a parking
lot, roads, or even begging area schools track on an occasion or two for
practice.
Team work is the name of the game and the senior
laden team consists of very interchangeable parts that can run sprints
and distance equally well. Thus, not having any type of facility may
not be as a big deal as it sounds.
E. St. Louis Sr-
2007 highlights: JJK Invite champs, conference
champs, sectional champs, state runner-up.
Key returns: Ronecia Nash (Sr.) 100, 200, 4x1,4x2;
Chelsey Robinson (So.)- sprints and relays; Deara McNeal (So.)- 400,
relays; Phillita Johnson (Sr.)- 400, relays; Ebone’ Washington (Sr.)-
hurdles, relays.
Outlook: legendary coach Nino Fennoy will be
shooting for his first state title since 1993 and 15th
overall. He definitely will have the firepower, especially with
quadruple state champion Ronecia Nash leading the charge. Nash could be
a threat in the short hurdles as well if the Flyerettes pull her from
one of the relays. Depth? All of the young talent should evolve around
Nash and contribute to any and all parts needed for the success of ESL.
Relays have always been included in the Flyerette arsenal and this year
will be no different. If anything the Flyerettes should be a little
faster and the show stopping 4x4 will be key as it was not last year.
Harvey (Thornton)-
2007 highlights: 3rd place- ’07 state
final
Key returns: Khadija Abdulah (Sr.)- throws; Diane
Lindsay (Sr.)- long jump, 400, 4x1,4x2; Moriah Myles (Jr.)- 100H,
4x1,4x2; Alex Smith (Sr.)- triple jump, 300H, relays; Ashley Stacey
(So.)- LJ, relays.
Outlook: the Wildcats made a surprising push to
take the final trophy in ’07. There will be no surprises this year with
a line up stacked with state meet experience. The Wildkits with start
with throwing ace Abdulah and end with scoring relays. In the middle
will be Lindsay and Smith as chief contributors. At the state level
good teams need three scoring threats, the Wildcats have four if relays
are included.
Hoffman Estates (Conant)-
2007 highlights: 4th place- ’07 state
final
Key returns: Destiny Arps (Sr.)- open sprints,
relays; Kalli Dalton (Jr.)- distance, 4x8; Toni Graham (Sr.)- 100,200,
4x1,4x2; Sara Pessimisis (Sr.)- LJ, 4x1,4x2, Briana Millar (Sr.)-
relays.
Outlook: the super energetic Toni Graham must have
a great season once more if her team desires a team trophy. She will be
the driving force behind the Cougars as she seeks to carry her team.
There is talent elsewhere with a healthy Arps back. Arps was hurt much
of ’07 but made it back just in time for the state series. Dalton will
be just as motivated after enduring a not so great cross country
season. She will be a threat in the middle distances. If the Cougars
can get some additional support elsewhere, 4th place may
become 3rd place.
Evanston-
2007 highlights:
Key returns: Amanda Caines (So.)- TJ, relays; Amber
Jackson (Jr.)- 800, 4x2,4x4; Khadija Quarles (Jr.)- relays; Leah
Schenkier (Sr.)- hurdles, relays; Adrienne Slaughter (Jr.)- relays,
100,200; Brittany Tolar (Sr.)- LJ, relays.
Outlook: the word out on Evanston is they will be
fine. They have a shot at a team trophy and maybe more. The Wildkits
rode an incredible 4-6 year wave that was ended last year. Now, and
perhaps more incoming talent will follow the still young squad that is
going to be very good. Coach Fenton Gunter hinted at a few changes in
order for his team to get back on top. For starters, middle distance
talent Jackson may be seeing more action besides the 800. Maybe 400?
Slaughter was relegated to mostly relay duty at the end of the season
but she is a supreme talent if she puts in the work like those previous
great Wildkits (i.e. Shalina Clarke and Demeca Hill). Look for
Schenkier and Tolar to bounce back after disappointing seasons.
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