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DS IL 2015 Season Preview – 3A Girls TeamsPublished by
Can anyone stop Lincoln-Way East from winning their third straight team championship?
By Michael Newman
Lincoln-Way East has been the top team in 3A winning two straight state championships. Their quest for a third straight championship could be their toughest. The Griffins did lost star sprinters Alexis Hyshaw and Meghan Marias due to graduation. They still are deep in talent to make their third straight a possibility.
The one team that could knock them off the top of the podium is Homewood-Flossmoor. The Lady Vikings have a strong team led by state title contenders Jayla Stewart and Antoinette Broughton. They have the talent to leave Charleston with the state championship trophy.
There are other schools that believe that they have the talent to leave O’Brien Stadium with some hardware. Here is a look at some of the schools that could contend for the 3A team championships this May. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
Aurora Metea Valley 2014 Finish – 5th AAA
Top Returnees – Courtney Morgan SO (Weights), Holly Julifs SR (Weights), Qualicia Miller JR (Weights), Nicki Cast SO (Distances), Leana Goldman SO (Distances), Kyla Ohst JR (Distances), Lara Cattani JR (Jumps)
Preview – Last year it took 38 points to finish in the top three in the team competition. Metea Valley has a chance to get close to that on just two events. How strong is the Mustangs’ weight program? Qualicia Miller would be all-state if there were three athletes allowed from a school in an event. Courtney Morgan is the defending champion in the Shot Put and will be the favorite this season. She finished second also in the Discus and has the second longest rturning performance. Holly Julifs threw 154-0 last year at the end of April. She finished third behind Morgan at state. Julifs did not have the best performance in the Shot Put at state finishing tenth. She could be near Morgan this season. It is a possibility that this duo could go 1-2 in both weight events. That would put them in the discussion for a trophy at Charleston.
Belleville West 2014 Finish – 4th AAA
Top Returnees – Nijia McNamee SR (Sprints), Abrea Hopson SR (Sprints, Jumps), Monique Shine JR (Sprints), Danielle Meitzenheimer JR (Weights), Kyaron Manning SO (Weights), Dejah Campbell SO (Sprints), Kameron Frazier SO (Sprints), Tatyana Harriel SO (Sprints), Alandra Sanders JR (Sprints).
Preview – It might be hard for the Lady Maroons repeat a top five finish especially with the graduation of Jasmine Berry and Kelsey Shannon. The talent is still there to make that a possibility. This team will be strong in the relays led by Abrea Hopson and Nijia McNamee. Hobson could also qualify in either the 100 or Long Jump. McNamee has a 57.42 PR in the 400. She is capable of being among the top 400 runners in the state.
Bolingbrook 2014 Finish – 29th AAA
Top Returnees – Jessica Watkins SR (Sprints), Alexis Brooks SR (Sprints), Charlyncia Stennis JR (Sprints), De’jah Brown SO (Sprints), Claire Young SO (Sprints), Marissa Caputo JR (Distances), Arianna Amill SO (Distances), Trinna Rodriguez SO (Distances), Kendall Miller SR (Hurdles), Camille Jordan SO (Hurdles), Janell Bell JR (Jumps), Asha Wallace SR (Sprints).
Preview – While most will be watching Lincoln-Way East and Homewood-Flossmoor towards the top, this Bolingbrook team could be sneaky good in 2015. Jessica Watkins is the only finalist back from last year’s 100 finals. She could be one of the favorites in that event as well as the 200. Through the leadership of Watkins and also Alexis Brooks, the Raiders could have their 400 and 800 relay teams in contention for a state championship. Charlnicia Stennis will be counted for her help in the relays. She also has the eighth fastest returning time in the 400. She could give her team points there.
Cary-Grove 2014 Finish – 29th AAA
Top Returnees – Morgan Schulz SR (Sprints, Hurdles, Distances, Jumps), Eva Burk SO (Sprints, Hurdles), Olivia Roehri SR (Weights), Nikki Freeman JR (Weights), Sara Riley JR (Distances), Talia Duzey SR (Distances), Linnea Yokup SO (Distances), Gretchen Price SR (Distances), Nicole Robins JR (Hurdles, High Jump), Maggie Cherveny JR (Jumps), Delaney Perrone SR (Jumps), Sabrina Mishall JR (Pole Vault).
Preview – The Lady Trojans could finish in the top ten or higher this season. It could all come down to the health of Morgan Schulz. The senior suffered a stress fracture towards the end of last cross country season. She should be healthy when we get to April. Schulz will be one of the favorites in the 300 Hurdles and is one of the top returnees in the 800. She will give her team some big points. Nikki Freeman and Olivia Roehri should give their team points in either or both of the weight events. Eva Burk could get points in either the 100 Hurdles or 200.
Evanston Township 2014 Finish – 4th AAA
Top Returnees – Alexia Harvey SR (Sprints, Hurdles), Remy Amarteifio SR (Sprints, Hurdles), Kearra Taylor JR (Sprints), Ashley Vesotsky SR (Distances), Gabriell Watson JR (High Jump, Jumps), Latale Lawrence SR (Jumps, Sprints), Genara Garcia SR (Weights), Malawi Davis SR (Sprints), Grace Sarkor SR (Sprints), Crea Taylor JR (Sprints), Takina Taylor SR (Sprints)
Preview – The Lady Wildkits could take a step back especially with the graduation of double state winner Parker English. The talent is still here for this team to make a run at the top ten. Alexa Harvey and Remy Amarteifio could be double threats to get points in the 100 Hurdles. Ashley Vesotsky could be a surprise in the 800. Evanston has a good sprint group and could get points in any of the sprint relays.
Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 2014 Finish – AAA State Champions
Top Returnees – Julia Junkroski SR (High Jump, Pole Vault), Ololade Ayoola SO (Sprints, Jumps, High Jump), Asia Brown JR (Sprints, Jumps), Alexis Pierre-Antoine JR (Hurdles, Sprints), Kyndall Wallace JR (Sprints), Jasmine Howell JR (Sprints), Nicole Humenik SO (Sprints), Alyssa Vogt JR (Distances), Emily Karl SR (Distances), Kristin Dertz SR (Distances), Abby Couwenhoven SR (Distances), Erin Couwenhoven JR (Distances)
Preview – It is so hard to win a team state championship. Lincoln-Way East has done it in consecutive years and will look for the three-peat. Brian Evans moves from Thornwood to take over as Head Coach. He inherits a good group of athletes that could bring back another state championship to Frankfort. Julia Junkroski is one of the top athletes in the Pole Vault and the High Jump. She will get her team some big points in both events. Ololade Ayoola should also give her team points in the High Jump. The question will be what other events will this talented sophomore be in? The Griffins will lose sprint queens Alexis Hyshaw and 100 champ Megan Marias to graduation. They still have a great core of sprinters led by Asia Brown. Alexis Pierre-Antoine is a threat to score points in both of the hurdle races and will give her team a boost in the relays. Keep an eye on Alyssa Vogt and the team’s distance group. Vogt could get her team points in the 800. The 3200 relay could be a surprise this season.
Glen Ellyn Glenbard West 2014 Finish – 12th AAA
Top Returnees – Lindsay Graham JR (Distances), Lisa Luczak SR (Distances), Grace Rogers JR (Distances), Kathryn Kenwood JR (Distances), Emma Gambol SR (Sprints, Jumps)), Mary Nevins SR (Sprints), Abby Shaver JR (Distances), Megan Ozog SR (Distances), Anna Gambol SO (Weights), Emma Winans JR (Sprints), Sharon Murray JR (Sprints), Jessica Michael JR (Sprints)
Preview – It would not surprise me if the Hilltoppers are among the top five teams by the end of the state meet in May. This team will be distance driven. Lindsay Graham will be the favorite in the 3200 and should also score points in the 1600. If Lisa Luczak can stay healthy this spring, you can count on her to score points in the distance events. Glenbard should also have a good 3200 relay with Grace Rogers and Janie Nabholz possibly leading the group. A big bonus for this team this season could be if Freshman Lindsey Payne decides to run track instead of playing soccer. Payne finished fifth last fall at state. This team could also have a good 1600 relay team led by Emma Gambol that could finish in the first nine at Charleston.
Homewood-Flossmoor 2014 Finish – 10th AAA
Top Returnees – Jayla Stewart SR (Hurdles, Sprints), Antoinette Broughton SR (Sprints), Aliyah Mickens SO (Sprints), Amari Windom SO (Sprints), Christin Salley SR (Jumps, Sprints), Amber Smith SR (Jumps, Sprints), Jasmin Greenlee JR (Jumps), Rachel Wilson SR (Weights), Mikala Barrett SR (Sprints), Faith Martin JR (Sprints), Landin Neal SR (Sprints)
Preview – This is a team that has the athletes that could challenge for the state championship. Jayla Stewart will be the big favorite in the 100 Hurdles as well as scoring some big points in the 200. Antoinette Broughton returns as one of the top athletes in the 100 and 200. She should also give her team some big points. Broughton and Stewart should be part of the 400 and 800 relays that will also threaten for state championships. Rachel Wilson had a great post-season in the Shot Put. She could score points in that event. There is not a big margin of error for the Vikings if one of their top athletes comes down with an injury. If they are healthy when they get to Charleston, this team will vie for a state championship.
Minooka 2014 Finish – 5th AAA
Top Returnees – Ashleigh Wilson SR (Middle Distances), Mackenzie Callahan SO (Distances), Ashley Tutt SO (Distances), Morgan Crouch JR (Distances), Amber Jackson SR (Sprints), Latricia Dean JR (Sprints), Taylor Prieboy SR (Hurdles, Sprints, Jumps), Kelsey Oliva JR (High Jump), Jasmine Gragg SO (High Jump), Alexis Pease SR (Weights), Megan Caldwell JR (Sprints), Danyelle Myers SO (Sprints), Emma Tonelli JR (Sprints)
Preview – The Indians will hurt for points with the graduation of all-everything Janile Rogers to graduation. They still could find themselves in the top 10. This team has a strong distance squad. Ashley Tutt should be among the best in the 3200. Minooka could have a good 3200 relay with Mackenzie Callahan leading the way. Callahan could also score points in one of the individual distance events. Ashleigh Wilson could challenge for big points in the 400. She could also be a part of a good 1600 relay and also the 3200. Taylor Prieboy could be a surprise in the Long Jump. They could also get bonus points from Alexis Pease in the Discus.
Mt. Prospect – Prospect 2014 Finish – 9th AAA
Top Returnees – Maya Mason JR (Hurdles, Sprints), Jess Skudlarek JR (Sprints, High Jump), Catherine Sherwood SR (Jumps), Brooke Wilson SO (Distances), Hannah Getschman SR (Distances), Katie Bialas SR (Distances), Aileen White SO (Distances), Brenda Kendziera JR (Hurdles), Lana Korf JR (Weights), Eilen Siefke SR (Distances).
Preview – Even though the Lady Knights lost Discus state champion Erin Reese and distance all-state runner Christina Santiago to graduation, they still could find their way into the top five this season. Maya Mason was all-state last year in the 100 hurdles and will get big points for her team in 2015. She could also score points in the 200 or help in the relays. Jess Skudlarek failed to qualify for state last year, but she is among the leading performance returnees in the High Jump. She has ability to get points for her team. Catherine Sherwood just made it into the top nine in the Long Jump. Expectations are higher for her in this event. She could also score points in the Triple Jump. Prospect could also get bonus points from Brenda Kendziera in either the 300 Hurdles or the Long Jump.
Naperville Neuqua Valley 2014 Finish – 39th AAA
Top Returnees – Maya Neal SR (Jumps, Sprints, Hurdles), Sami Miller JR (Sprints), Tashee Hargrave JR (Sprints), Katie Sheehan SR (Distances), Caitlin Horn SO (Distances), Lauren Penkala SR (Distances), Julia Pena JR (Distances), Kenna Lonergan JR (High Jump, Hurdles), Olivia DiMambro SR (Jumps), Olivia Griswold SR (Weights), Grace Merritt JR (Weights)
Preview – The Wildcats only brought five athletes to Charleston last season for the state meet. Expectations should be higher for this team as they will look at a chance to be in the top five. Maya Neal will score the largest amount of points for this team. She will be towards the front in both hurdle races as well as one of the favorites in the Long Jump. Kenna Lonergan could give her team big points in the High Jump. Olivia Griswold should be among the top five in the Shot Put. Katie Sheehan could get her team points in the 800. This team could have a good 3200 relay with Caitlin Horn a part of it. Sami Miller and Tashee Hargrave could be surprises for Neuqua Valley in the sprints.
Palatine 2014 Finish – 16th AAA
Top Returnees – Kelly O’Brien JR (Distances), Amy Kieliszewski SR (Distances), Ashley Proksa SR (Sprints, Jumps), Basirat Iginla SR (Sprints), Kara Burton SR (Distances), Megan Beach SR (Distances), Anna Buckstaff SO (Distances), Sam Lechowicz JR (Sprints), Caitlin Riedy SR (Hurdles), Megan Thabateau SR (High Jump, Jumps), Gabby Heidrich (Jumps), Abby Powers SR (Weights)
Preview – The distance events will play a big part of the success for the Lady Pirates in 2015. Kelly O’Brien will be one of the favorites in the 1600. She will also be the anchor for a strong 3200 team that could have Megan Beach and Kara Barton a part of it. Amy Kieliszewski has showed great improvement over the past six months and could score points in the 3200. Caitlin Riedy could be a surprise in the 300 Hurdles. She just missed making the finals a year ago. Ashley Proksa could give her team points in the Long Jump as well as leading a good sprint team in the relays.
Rock Island 2014 Finish – 13th AAA
Top Returnees – Hannah Willhite JR (Jumps, Sprints), Mariah Hoover JR (Jumps, Sprints), Cynthia Myers-Miles SR (Sprints), Angel Parker SR (Sprints), Agok Ayuen JR (Distances), Mariah Anderson SR (Hurdles, Sprints), T’Nauzhae Robinson JR (Hurdles, Jumps, Sprints), Mikha Hughes-Shaw JR (Jumps), Timesha Miles SR (Weights), Dianthia Kelly SO (Sprints)
Preview – The Rocks traditionally have strong sprint relays. They should be in the mix to make the finals led by Mariah Anderson and Hannah Willhite. Anderson could also score points for her team in the 300 hurdles. Willhite is a good bet to score points in both of the horizontal jumps events.
St. Charles East 2014 Finish – 3rd AAA
Top Returnees – Allison Chmelik SR (Jumps, Sprints), Torree Scull SR (Distances), Elizabeth Chmelik SR (Sprints), Kathleen Strohaker SO (Sprints), Anastasia Honea JR (Distances), Hannah Ewald SO (Distances), Anna Arrick SO (Distances), Jessica Glas JR (Hurdles), Casey McNichols SO (Hurdles), Shea Brown SO (Weights), Keeley Flannigan JR (Sprints)
Preview – The Lady Saints should be strong again. They will have to find someone to step up and replace Jordan Shead who anchored both of their winning 1600 and 3200 relays at the state meet. Their 3200 will be strong again led by Toree Scull. The senior should also challenge for points in the 1600. Allison Chmelik will be one of the top athletes this spring in the Triple Jump. She will also be a big part of their relays.
Springfield 2014 Finish – 4th AA
Top Returnees – Aly Goff JR (Distance), Michaela Pattie SR (Sprints), Kierra Weir SR (Sprints), Natalie Motor JR (Distance), Jillian Cole SR (Distance), Sophia Gullo JR (Distance), Ingrid Samuels SR (Hurdles, Sprints), Michelle Hoang JR (Sprints), Carrie Rolf JR (Mid-Distance), Reilly Stiver JR (Sprints), Chieme Udaku SO (Sprints), Kyra Webster JR (Sprints)
Preview – The Senators will move up to 3A with hoped of placing in the top ten. It will be tough to replace Sarah Sepanski who was a big part of their sprint relays. Springfield will be strong in all three sprint relays. They do return three from last year’s 2A championship 1600 relay. Michaela Pattie could score points in the 100 and also the 200. Kierra Weir placed last year in the 2A 400. She could place in this event in the higher classification this season. Aly Goff was all-state in the 2A 800. She could place in 3A this May. Also watch for Springfield’s 3200 relay. They could surprise with a good group comprising it led by Goff.
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