Track season heating up

Updated: May 11, 2011 9:23PM

One of the big indoor meets at Bloom every year is called “Track Madness.” That’s also what’s going on for the next two weeks. This week features girls sectionals in three classes and boys conference meets. Next week is the girls state championship and boys sectionals. In contrast, the final week of the season, with only the boys state titles on the line, seems quiet.

Thursday’s two big affairs in the Southland are the Class 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional and the Class 2A Kankakee Sectional. The latter meet, along with the host and Hillcrest, also features the state debut of Southland College Prep, the Matteson-based charter school that mirrors the boundary of District 227.

Southland, with all freshmen this year, has 13 girls ready to compete in the sectional and 16 boys who will participate in next week’s Class 2A Hillcrest Sectional. What is doesn’t have yet is a nickname.

“We’re going to decide on that next year, have a vote,” boys track coach Dan Higgins said. “Also on our colors.”

Look for Kankakee’s Dominique Kimpel, Hillcrest’s Mercedes Young and Illiana Christian’s Ebony Wims to duel in sprints, while Hillcrest’s Destini Artis and Asia Lockhart chase hurdle titles. Aliyah Harmon of Rich Central is a threat in both the long jump and triple jump, while Lemont’s Elissa Bitterman may be a lock in the high jump.

The 3A showdown at Homewood-Flossmoor includes the area’s top three sprinters in the 100 and 200, the top two in the 400, and 800 leader Nicole Nepote of Lincoln-Way East. H-F senior Abieyawa Ehimwenman, part of the 100-200 trios, is also tops in the long jump and triple jump, so could advance to the 3A championship in four events.

Then again, so could Lincoln-Way East sophomore Aaliyah Brown, whose 24.13 clocking in the 200 is the third-fastest by a sophomore in the U.S. this year. Brown, the defending 100 champion in 3A, figures to run in the 100 and 200, plus one or two relays.

The field also features hurdle specialists LaDonna Caston of Thornton, and Mandy Coglianese of Providence; throwers Ebony Stallworth of Thornwood, and Jazjuan Wallace-Sipp of Thornton (last year’s 3A discus champion for the third-place Wildcats), and H-F’s LaChrissa Safforld.

Five other sectionals with area schools run Friday, including a 2A meet at Hanson Stadium with Morgan Park, which finished ninth in 3A last year.

The boys meets Thursday include the South Suburban Blue conflict at Hillcrest, where the host Hawks are favored but will be challenged, the South Suburban Red at Eisenhower and the SouthWest Suburban showdowns, with Thornton favored in the Red meet at Thornridge, while H-F, Sandburg and the hosts could battle for the Blue title at Lockport.

Saturday brings the Catholic League carnival at Loyola.

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