Urban Prep's Anthony Ponder (jr) is just one speedster in the sprint rich CPS.
The Chicago Public League has always been strong in sprints. This year is no different as the CPS is once again very very strong in sprints.
The seeding have not come out yet and so we do not know exactly what events their coaches will place their runners but before they do I'd like to give readers a quick preview of what to expect come varsity city championship time on May 9th.
Some Top City Sprinters ( Outdoor Leaderboard ; Indoor Leaderboard)
Chris Kyles (sr) - Lane Tech
Steven Clark (sr) - Harlan
Darien WIlliams (sr) - Harlan
Lyndon Darden (jr) - Whitney Young
Richard Wooten (sr) - Hubbard
Anthony Ponder (jr) - Urban Prep
Colin Campbell (sr) - Fenger
Jamel Donald (jr) - Bogan
Tyshaun Bean (so) - Fenger
Rashe Allen (sr) - Lane Tech
Kristian Palmer (sr) - Lincoln Park
Brian Jones (jr) - Morgan Park
Christopher Kyles is the person every one is looking to this year. After all Kyles finished 5th in the state last year in the 100 meter dash and has run some of the top sprint times this year the state. Many expect Kyles's biggest challengers in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash to come from Harlan sprint duo of Darien Williams and Stephen Clark. Kyles beat Williams by .42 of a second at the Mather Invite in their only head to head match up of the year. But Kyles has yet to race William's teammate Stephen Clark. Clark has been much improved as of late and has actually beaten Williams in the 100 meter dash at the Plainfield North Quad.
The winner of the 100 meter dash may have to break 10.90 to win the title of the city's fastest man.
But every meet brings some surprises. Last year, Kyles was beaten by Morgan Park''s Antwain Windmond to take the city title in the 100 meter dash in 11.21. Another possible title contender Keith Lewis of Curie did not even make it out of the prelims despite running an 11.37 in the first prelims.
The city is so deep in sprinters that I feel that on a good day any one of the top 12-15 or so sprinters in the city are capable of a top 5 finish. Some sprinters that are not talked about a lot but may have an opportunity to crash in the top 5 include: Richard Wooten (sr) - Hubbard, Tyshaun Bean (so) - Fenger, Jamel Donald (jr) - Bogan, Kristian Palmer (sr) - Lincoln Park, and Rashe Allen (sr) - Lane Tech. Then again, due to the high level of competition, none of those three may even make the finals.
My feel is that the 100 and 200 finals will consist of Kyles at the top. Runners from Morgan Park (maybe a Brian Jones) and Harlan and maybe a runner like Richard Wooten from Hubbard or Colin Campbell will contend for the 2nd through 4th slots. The 5th-8th city scorers in the 100 and 200 will goto any top 15 type sprinter who has a good day.
Chris Kyles of Lane Tech is looking to flex his muscles past the field in sprint events.
This article can also be found at the 2009 City Championship Info Page : http://www.lanetechfan.com/Spring%20Sports/Boys%20Track%20and%20Field/Results/2009/City%20Championship%20Week.html
Why nothing on the girls? Ever?
Posted by: Ms. Title 9 | April 24, 2009 at 09:14 AM
have you ever heard of the first ammendment? Free speech. The guy can write anything he wants.
There's no title 9, MoveOn.org, government filter/beuracracy, or affirmative action here.
Posted by: 1stAmendment | April 24, 2009 at 11:56 AM