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2014 Nike Festival of Miles Watch List
First Edition- The 100
Hey everyone- It’s that time of year again. Time to start recruiting our fields for the 2014 Nike Festival of Miles. That’s right, Nike is this year’s title sponsor, which means all high school all stars will be decked out in Nike uniforms and looking good under the lights in front of 1,200 plus fans!!
On Tuesday we released our first Mile Watch List. Today we turn to the sprinters and check out the top 100 meter runners in the Midwest. Take a look below and stay tuned for our 800 meter watch list, coming soon.
For all the info on the high school all star races click HERE.
For the purpose of this watch list we’ve included top 100 meter runners from the following states; AR, IA, IL, KS, MO, NE, OK. That is where we typically draw from although the meet is open to athletes from any state in the country.
BOYS 100
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Cole Henderson, SR, Pekin (IL) – Henderson was third last year at FOM and it’s looking like he’s ready for revenge so far in 2014. His 10.55 is the top time in Illinois so far.
Michael Wells, SR, NJROTC (MO) – Our defending FOM Champ is, without a doubt, one of the best sprinters in the Midwest. He went undefeated indoors over 60 meters, winning the Big River Indoor Series Championship, and he’s run 10.90 outdoors so far.
Raymond Wingo, SR, SLUH (MO) – Wingo took runner-up honors at last year’s FOM on his home track and we’d love to see him try to get the win this year before he moves on to a football career at the University of Missouri.
KJ Cotton, FR, Papillion-LaVista (NE) – Lookout world. You read that right. Cotton is just a freshman and has already run 10.56 this year. Who knows? If we get him to come to FOM this year, we may see him through 2017!
Casey Matthews, SR, Burlington Central (IL) – When you run 10.58 on April 12 it gets our attention. That’s what Matthews did at the Les Hodge Invitational and that’s why he’s high on our watch list.
Steven Baker, SR, Sikeston (MO) – A 10.60 at the Jackson Invite puts this Sikeston athlete in prime position to make the FOM field come June.
Eric Yarbrough, SR, Lafayette (MO)- Yarbrough currently sits second on the top times list in Missouri with his 10.69 from the Charlie Beck Invitational.
Drew Klein, SR, Papillion-LaVista (NE) – The senior teammate of the previously mentioned KJ Cotton, Klein went 10.69 to finish second at the Millard South Invitational on April 12.
Deron Thompson, SR, Wichita Northwest (KS) – Though hand-timed, his 10.64 in early April was still mighty impressive and he tops the rankings in Kansas.
Kaleb Kesselring, Des Moines- Lincoln (IA)- Kesselring is Iowa’s number one short sprinter right now, thanks to a 10.71 at the Bob Vanderkinden Invitational.
Other runners to watch: Tre James (AR), Cray Washington (IA), Broc Smith (IL), Brian Kruzan (IL), Brett Charlton (IL), Eric Phillips (MO), Tyler Jackson (OK)
* Did we miss someone? Let us know by emailing meet director Ben Rosario at ben@nazelite.com.
GIRLS 100
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Jade Patton, SR, Edmond North (OK) – Patton has the fastest time of anyone on this list and the 39th fastest in the U.S. with her 11.81. We would love to see her take to the fast track at Saint Louis U. High on June 5.
Ryan Preacely, SR, Johnson College Prep (IL) – Preacely was third at last year’s Illinois 2A State Meet in the 100 and has already run a blazing 11.85 in 2014. She’ll have a great shot at our 11.87 meet record if she joins us in June.
Payton Stumbaugh, SR, Har-Ber (AR) – Stumbaugh tops the Arkansas 100 meter list with an 11.93 to her credit already this year. She’s also an excellent short and long hurdler with bests of 14.07 and 43.37.
Parker English, SR, Evanston Township (IL) – On a list full of outstanding athletes, English may take the cake when it comes to PR’s across the board. In addition to her 12.08 100 meter best, she’s run 54.08 for 400, 24.48 for 200 and long jumped 18-11.5. That’s not messing around.
Chloe Akin-otiko, SO, Bellevue West (NE) – The definition of a super sophomore, Akin-otiko has already run 12.00 this year in the 100 in addition to a 19-9.25 foot long jump. Yes, we said 19-9. That's third in the nation.
Anglerne Annelus, JR, Grandview (MO) – Annelus is the defending Missouri Class 3 State Champ in the 100 meters and we love having State Champs! Plus, she’s run a smoking fast 12.15 already this year showing that she’s in great form once again.
Mystique Thompson, SR, Rock Island (IL) – The Rock Island senior is a multiple-time all-state performer in Illinois and is off to a good start this year with her 12.16.
Saenea Williams, JR, Westminster Christian Academy (MO) – A 12.00 from Williams at the Timberland Invite was a big PR and should get her into the FOM field should she decide to enter.
Mahone Taylor, JR, Bentonville (AR) – The second ranked 100 meter performer in Arkansas so far this year, Taylor blitzed a 12.16 at the Cyclone Relays on April 4.
Sarah Plock, JR, Iowa City (IA) – The top performer so far in Iowa at 12.23, Plock also excels at both the 400 and 400 hurdles.
Other runners to watch: Kamira Franklin (MO), Micaela McGregor (OK), Rose Ripslinger (IA), Amanda Dillon (AR), Sierra Smith (KS), Rohey Singhateh (KS)
* Did we miss someone? Let us know by emailing meet director Ben Rosario at ben@nazelite.com.