This marks the eighth year that the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association wishes to award Athlete-of-the-Year honors to Illinois Track &Field/Cross Country athletes who have demonstrated remarkable achievements. The 2017 female recipients are Katelynne Hart (Distance Athlete) of Glenbard West High School, Imani Carothers (Sprints/Hurdles Athlete) of Chicago Brooks High School, and Jaimie Robinson (Field Event Athlete) of Homewood Flossmoor High School. The 2017 male recipients are Soren Knudson (Distance Athlete) of Minooka High School, Deion McShane (Sprints/Hurdles Athlete), and John Meyer (Field Event Athlete) of Lockport High School.
Katelynne Hart (FR) – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West: As a Freshman she was the 2016 3A State Cross Country Champion, 2017 TF 3200m & 1600m 3A State Champion & a member of the 4th place 3200m Relay. She helped her team to the 2017 Illinois track and field state team title. And addition she was the Nike Cross Midwest Regional Cross Country Champion, and 18th place overall at Nike Cross Nationals in 2016.
Katelynne’s 2016/2017 PRs: Detweiller-16:31, 800m-2:14.09, 1600m-4:44.92, 3200m-10:11.51
Imani Carothers (JR) Chicago Brooks: Imani was the 2017 2A Illinois Track and Field State Champion in the 100m Hurdles & Triple Jump. She also took 2nd place in the long jump and was a member of the 3rd place 4x200m relay. After the State Meet she went on to compete in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals where she took 1st place in the 100m Hurdles.
2016/2017 PRs: 100m Hurdles-14.24 & 300m Hurdles-44.37
Jaimie Robinson (SR) Homewood-Flossmoor: Jaimie was the 2017 3A Illinois Track and Field State champion in the Triple Jump, the Long Jump, and the 200m dash. She also placed 4th in the 100m dash.
2016/2017 PRs:TJ-44’04”, LJ-20’00”, 100m Dash-11.80, 200m Dash-24.11
Soren Knudson (SR) – Minooka: Soren was the 2016 Illinois 3A Cross Country Champion. He went on to win both the 3200m & 1600m runs at the 2017 Illinois Track and field 3A State Championship.
2016/2017 PRs: Detweiller-14:02, 800m-1:56.84, 1600m-4:04.06, 3200m-8:55.70
Deion McShane (JR) – Freeport: Deion was the 2017 Illinois 2A 300m hurdle State Champion. With his effort he ran the #1 300m hurdle time in the state & a NEW State Meet RECORD. He also took 2nd place at the State meet in the 110mHH, 2nd place in the 200m dash, & 5th place in the long Jump.
2016/2017 PRs: 110m Hurdles-14.22m 300m Hurdles-36.53, 200m Dash-21.92, LJ-22’04”
John Meyer (JR) Lockport: John was the 2017Illinois 3A Shot put State champion. He was also the Discus runner-up. After the State meet he finished 4th at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.
2016/2017 PRs: Shot Put-67’02” & Discus-189’05”