By Mike Clark
Jordan Hamb and her South Shore track and field teammates are on the cusp of a historic postseason, and they want to make the most of it.
The Tars are ranked second in Class 2A by MileSplit Illinois behind Normal U-High and Hamb is a big reason why.
The sophomore is coming off a three-win effort at Saturday’s Public League Championships at Rockne Stadium that included personal bests in the 300-meter hurdles (46.41) and triple jump (40-4.75). She also won the 100 hurdles in 14.46 and ran on the third-place 400 relay team (48.17).
Next up, the Tars host a Class 2A sectional on Wednesday back at Rockne, and they have a nice problem with Hamb. Namely, which four of maybe a half-dozen potential events to enter her in?
With coach Jason Cooper recovering from surgery, Hamb will have a big say in the decision.
“It’s kind of more so up to us to figure out ourselves what events … will lead us to a trophy,” she said. “We’ve been gathering information on each other, seeing what areas are tougher, what are weaker and we just build it up from there.”
The current school — officially South Shore International — has never won a state team trophy in any sport. But its predecessor, South Shore, was an IHSA girls track power in the ’70s and ’80s. The Tars won six trophies, including the 1981 Class AA championship.
So getting some new hardware is job one.
Hamb has also been one of the best 200 runners in the state this season. But she may bypass that in the state series.
“I have more of a chance to get first in the 300 hurdles than I do of getting first or second in the 200,” she said.
The Tars aren’t the only Public League team with big postseason dreams. Young, which beat runner-up Kenwood 152-106 for the title on Saturday, is ranked No. 1 in 3A and is led by quadruple city champ Angelena Bullocks. Simeon, No. 9 in 3A, is paced by another elite sprinter, Mariyah Robinson.
Bullocks, a junior, won the 100 (11.59) and 200 (24.54) and ran legs on the winning 400 (season-best 46.42) and 800 (1:41.99) relays.
Robinson, a sophomore, was runner-up in the 100 (11.71) and 200 (a PR of 24.60) in addition to winning the 400 (55.89). Bullocks loves being pushed by her Public League rivals.
“I do be a little nervous,” she said. “But I think when I have real competition I will fight to win. It … keeps you on your toes.”
Especially when Robinson provides that competition.
“That was really fun,” Bullocks said. “It was head-to-head. I felt her, she’s real good. “I don’t see it as a rivalry, just another way to push myself to the next level. I have respect for the girls I run with, especially Mariyah and also (those) I’m going to see downstate.”
Young and Simeon will meet again at Wednesday’s Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional. The field also includes Kenwood and Lane, which was third in the Public League meet.
“I feel like I’m physically ready,” Bullocks said. “Just trying to get myself mentally there. I think that’s what I mainly struggle with. … How I do at sectional is important but state is where it all counts and where I have to put it all out.”
Robinson was happy with her day, especially running into the teeth of a strong wind for her PR in the 200.
“It was really hard,” she said.
Now it’s a quick turnaround to the sectional, where Robinson will begin her pursuit of the sprint triple crown: 100, 200 and 400.
“I’m looking forward to PRs, take everything step by step,” she said. “Basically not overwhelming myself. If I don’t do (well) in one thing, I’m going to do (well) in another.”
Young had another multiple winner in senior thrower Chidiogo Odeluga, who took first in the discus (104-6.75) and shot put (36-9.25). The Dolphins also had a first in the long jump from Layla Bonilla (17-5.5) and won the 800 medley relay in 1:52.42.
Other winners were Kenwood’s Stephy Venuti in the 800 (2:21.23) and the Broncos’ 1,600 relay team (4:00.15), Taft’s Hannah Diete in the 1,600 (5:22.30), Northside’s Lulu Ton-That in the 3,200 (a PR of 11:49.17), Lane’s 3,200 relay team (10:04.24) and Simeon high jumper Jasmine Brown (5-1.75).
Photos by Ashley Harris/OSA
