By Michael Newman

1 – Cahokia

Notes – It was a win in the 200 by Mariya Hudson to get the second straight state championship for the Comanches by tying Kaneland. The majority of Cahokia’s scorers are back led by Hudson making this team one of the favorites for the 2A title which would be their third in a row. Hudson the 100, 200, and 400 her sophomore year in 2015. She would like to get all three in her final prep season.  LaQwasia Stepney was all-state in the 100 hurdles. She could be in the three in this event as well as scoring points in the 300 hurdles if she runs in that event. She finished 10^th last year in the Long Jump. Stepney was also a part of Cahokia’s 400 and 800 relays that placed last season. Their sprint quartet could score in both of those relays again this season. Takyra Buford placed last year in the 300 Hurdles. You can watch for points from her in that event as well as a key part in the relays. Tamadja Rodgers could be a surprise in both the High Jump and the Triple Jump.

2 – Dunlap

Notes – Strong distance and sprint teams along with a presence in all the relays could move the Eagles up from last year’s fourth place finish. They placed in all four relays at state last spring. Aanise Sajna and Kiara Pauli are the top athletes for their quartets that finished fourth in the 400 Meter Relay and second in the 800 Meter Relay. Pauli placed in the 100 and could be a factor in the event again in 2017. Sanja finished eighth in the Long Jump and could finish this year in the top five. Sarah Georgieff and Savannah Sullivan are the only two athletes back in the 1600 Meter Relay that finished fourth. Georgieff also finished ninth in the 300 Hurdles and should finish higher in May. Dunlap has all four runners back from last year’s 3200 Relay that finished sixth but was in the running for second-place until the final 100 meters. Franny Verville, who also placed in the 1600, leads that squad. Alex Schaub was all-state in the Triple Jump and could repeat that performance. Sydney Bertschy qualified for the finals in the Pole Vault. The junior could be among the top six this May. This team is deep with the potential of scoring points in 13 of the 18 events. If the relays are among the top four and two individuals are among the top three in their events, Dunlap could be in the trophy hunt with the possibility of capturing a state title.

3 – Maple Park Kaneland

Notes – The Lady Knights captured a state title last year by the strength of their relays led by Nicole Sreenan. The senior leads a strong group back that should be definitely one of the top three teams in the state and possibly another state title. Sreenan is the key for Kaneland after finishing second in both the 100 and 400 Meter Dash. She will be in the mix for state tiles this year. Kaneland has three of their four runners back in the 400 Relay and 1600 Relay. Their sprint group is deep. We should see them in the front again in 2017. Freshman Rachel Richtman was all-state last fall at Detweiller Park placing 18^th. Along with her sister Becca, the two could lead Kaneland with a good 3200 Relay. Both could also score points in individual distance events. Lexie Guerra finished eighth last year in the Pole Vault. She has the potential to finish in the top five this season. Cierra Kuipers or Sydney Davidson could also place in that event. Maddie Keifer is a possibility of qualifying for state in both the High Jump and the Triple Jump. She could give her team bonus points.

4 – Urbana

Notes – There is a gap this year between the top three teams and the rest of the teams in 2A. Urbana leads that pack. Shaniya Howard finished fourth last year in the High Jump and is the top returning athlete in that event. Libby Cultra finished seventh last year in the 3200 Meter Run and leads a strong distance group that qualified for the State Cross Country Meet last fall for the first time. Lanaeja Carter has the potential to get her team points in the Discus. Urbana’s sprint team is also young led by Ayanna Kelly-Weatherspoon and Jyana Anderson. One of those two sprinters could score in either the 100 or 200. The Tigers could have a good 400 Meter Relay. Charisma Turner was close to 17 feet last year in the Long Jump as a freshman. She could be a surprise in this evet this spring.

5 – Rockford Boylan Catholic

Notes – The Titans will be powered by the strong distance duo of Delaney Appino and Grace McLaughlin that finished second and third last fall at Detweiller Park. Appino placed in both the 800 and 1600 last year. She could be among the top runners in both events. McLaughlin finished second behind Maryjeanne Gilbert in last year’s 3200. She should be the favorite in the event. She could also get some surprise points in the 1600. Bridget Bishop finished fifth last year in the Shot Put. She could be among the first three in what figures to be one of the toughest events in 2A.

6 – Chicago Brooks College Prep

Notes – Imani Carothers scored 30 of her team’s 34 points giving them a fourth-place finish in 2A. She is the defending champion in the Long Jump, Triple Jump, and 100 Hurdles. The junior also qualified for the 100 Meter Dash at state but did not make the finals. She could do that this season. Lenann Ramsey showed improvement in the sprints last spring and could qualify this season in the 100 Meter Dash.

7 – Arlington Heights St. Viator

Notes – Elizabeth Drab scored all her team’s 23 points as they finished 11^th in 2A last year. The scenario is the same as Drab should score the bulk of her team’s points. She is the defending champion in the 400 Meter Dash as well as finishing third in the 200 Meter Dash and fourth in the 100 Meter Dash. She will be a presence in all three events this season.

8 – Monticello

Notes – The Sages finished 28^th last year and could be among the top ten teams in 2017. Aliyah Welter finished second in the Pole Vault and should be one of the favorites this spring. Welter could also get her team points in the 100 Hurdles. Emma Helferich has the talent to place in both the Long and Triple Jump. Monticello finished fifth in the 800 Relay last year led by Welter and Abbey Leischner. Alyssa McPike qualified for state in the 3200. She just missed all-state honors last fall finishing 27^th in the 1A race. She has the talent to finish in the top nine in the 3200 this May.

9 – Macomb

Notes – Maya Stovall should be the top athlete for the Bombers in 2017. She finished third in 2016 in the 3200 Meter Run and should be one of the favorites in that event. Stovall also qualified in the 1600 at state. That’s not bad for a then freshman. A year older now, she could be able to do that double with more of a favorable result in the 1600. Destiny Reed could be a surprise in the sprints. She has the talent to place in both the 100 and 400.

10 – Mt. Vernon

Notes – The Rams finished eighth in 2016 and could better that this season. Tredaja Harris finished eighth in the 200 Meter Dash and could be among the first four in this year’s finals. Harris could also score points in the 100 Meter Dash. She was also part of her team’s 800 Meter Relay that finished ninth. The bulk of their points could come from A’veun Moore in the weight events. She finished fourth last year in the Shot Put and fifth in the Discus. She could better those performances this May in Charleston. Kate Bushue could surprise some in the 3200 Meter Run.

11 – Mahomet-Seymour

Notes – The Bulldogs could surprise some by the time they get to Charleston. They have a good group that could score points in the Pole Vault led by Abby Kyle. Freshman Mara Pletcher cleared 11-0 last week in her first high school meet at Principia College. She could be a surprise state wide. Their 3200 Meter Relay returns three of their four that just missed all-state by one place. Kaitlin Lewis and Brisa McGrath lead that group. Lewis could be a surprise in the 800 while McGrath could be a factor in the 1600. Lakeida Nichols is a sprinter to watch especially in the 100 Meter Dash.

12 – LaSalle-Peru

Notes – Rachel Hickey is the defending champion in the 800 and should be the favorite in May giving her team some big points. The junior was also the anchor for the team’s 1600 Meter Relay that placed fifth. Three of the four runners are back from that squad. Janelle Bernaridoni went under 60 seconds in the 400 as a freshman. She could be among the nine finalists in May. Shay Scheri went past 18 feet in the Long Jump and could score points in that event.

13 – Tolono Unity

Notes – The Rockets only scored three points at state last year. They should score many more in 2017. Nicole Bagwell had a no height in last year’s Pole Vault final. She has one of the top returning performances and could be a threat to finish among the first three. Taylor Milsap finished seventh in the event and will be pushing for fifth or better in Charleston. Unity’s 3200 Relay had the fastest sectional time but did not make the finals. Three runners are back from that team led by Bagwell and Savannah Day. They should be hungry to be among the tops in that event. Jordan Harmon qualified for the 3200 but did not finish in the first nine. She could be among the first six this year.

14 – Vernon Hills

Notes – The Cougars finished seventh last year but do have the talent to finish in that spot or even higher. Jordyn Bunning finished third in the 300 Hurdles and will be one of the favorites in that event. She could also pick up points in the 100 Hurdles. Bunning was also a part of the 800 and 1600 Relays that were both all-state. Both relays return here from last year that will have hopes of finishing in the top five. Lauren Katz and Nicole Pinter are the only athletes back from Vernon Hills’ second place 3200 Relay. Katz was also all-state in the 800 (ninth) and could be among the top five. Payton Majkowski could also pick up points for the Cougars in the 3200.

15 – Olympia Fields Rich Central

Notes – Jayla Campbell is a possibility to score in the Triple Jump. Campbell is also a possibility in the 100 and 400 Meter Dash. Karah Polk also has the potential to score points in the 100 Hurdles.