The track and field season is underway in the St. Louis metro area. One of the big story lines of the season will be the continuing dynasty of the Cahokia boys program, which has won the past five state championships in the state of Illinois. The Comanches are loaded and ready for a run at No. 6 as we begin another exciting year.
Here are some of the top track athletes to watch in 2016:
BoysÂ
Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia): The All-American jumper is a three-time state champion in the triple jump and the linchpin of Cahokia’s championship dynasty. He has signed with the University of Missouri.
William Sessions (Belleville East): Senior hurdler who returns after finishing second in the IHSA Class 3 110-meter high hurdles. Headed to Indiana University.
Daniel Isom (SLUH): One of the top hurdlers in the state of Missouri. Finished second in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles at the Class 5 state meet in ’15.
Alvin Thompson (Cardinal Ritter): Outstanding jumper who was the Class 3 state champion in the triple jump. Also earned All-State honors in the long jump.
Jayson Ashford (SLUH): Top sprinter who returns after finishing second in the Class 5 100-meter dash last season.
A.J. Epenesa (Edwardsville): Junior three-sport standout who is one of the nation’s top performers in the discus throw. Has already committed to Iowa to play football.
Derick Clemons (Eureka): Excellent sprinter who was the Class 5 state champion in the 400-meter dash.
Roosevelt Davis (East St. Louis): Excellent sprinter who finished third in the Illinois Class 3 400 and anchored the Flyers to the state title in the 4×400-meter relay.
Anthony McRoberts (Cahokia): Another big-time combination jumper for the Comanches’ powerhouse program. Best event is the high jump.
Travis Anderson (Edwardsville): A key performer in the Tigers’ drive to the Illinois Class 3 state championship. Finished second in the 110-meter high hurdles.
Alec Haines (Lafayette): Top distance performer who was the Class 5 state champion in the 1,600-meter run. Also a state champion in the 4×800-meter relay.
Girls
LaJarvia Brown (Alton): A two-time state champion in the triple jump in the state of Illinois, Brown is headed to Texas A&M.
Destiny Nash (Hazelwood Central): Excellent sprinter who was the Class 5 state champion in the 400-meter dash.
Mariya Hudson (Cahokia): Top junior sprinter who led the Comanches to the Illinois Class 2 state championship after winning the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes.
Lailah Elliott (John Burroughs): The returning Class 3 state champion in the long jump and triple jump. Led the Bombers to the Class 3 state championship.
Raynesha Lewis (Cahokia): Illinois Class 2 state champion in the triple jump and a big factor in the Comanches’ state championship team.
Kara Steele (Kirkwood): The returning Missouri Class 5 state champion in the triple jump.
Sophia Rivera (Brentwood): One of the top throwers in the country. A three-time state champion in the shot put and discus. Headed to Wisconsin.
Zionn Pearson (MICDS): Excellent sophomore who was an All-State performer in the long jump and the 100-meter high hurdles.
Syanne Johnson (Fort Zumwalt East): Excellent junior sprinter who was an All-State performer in the 100 and 200.
Carolyn Ross (Webster Groves): Excellent hurdler who was second in the Class 3 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles.
Ashli Isbell (Cardinal Ritter): Standout sprinter who earned Class 3 All-State honors in the 200 and 400-meter dashes.
Constance Jackson (North Tech): Returning Class 3 state champion in the 100-meter dash.
Andi Kuehnlein (Kirkwood): Oklahoma State signee hurdler who earned All-State honors in the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles.
