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Thompson earns two top-6 finishes

August 13, 2010 By 2 Comments
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Quad Cities Online Staff Report -

Rock Island freshman sprinter Mystique Thompson earned two top-6 finishes on Saturday in the AAUJunior Olympics in Norfolk, Va.

Thompson finished fifth in the youth division 200-meter dash and was sixth in the 100. She clocked a 25.77 in the 200 finals and a 12.61 in the 100 finals.

Those times are already below the IHSAstate-qualifying standard in Class 2A. In fact, she would have finished sixth and eighth, respectively, in the 100 and 200 at the Class 2A meet last May.

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Rocky’s Thompson national bound

August 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Incoming Rock Island High School freshman Mystique Thompson is headed to the AAU track nationals, Aug. 1-7, in Virginia.

A member of the Mississippi Valley Track Club, Thompson qualified for the meet in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes. Norfolk State University is hosting the event.

“I feel really honored and privileged to be able to represent my team and community,” Thompson said.

In the prelims of the Area 10 Qualifier, Thompson broke the youth and meet record in the 200 in 25.69 seconds.

She also surpassed the old mark (25.95) in winning the finals in 25.75 ticks.

Thompson was the runner-up in the 100 (in 12.68 seconds) and finished third in the 400 in 1:00.18.

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Rocks’ Johnson a track know-it-all

May 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com

Jerraco Johnson will tell you a clock won’t lie, but the Rock Island senior sprinter knows the times provided by one aren’t always accurate.

He has spent plenty of energy researching times, which led him to that conclusion.

“The clock is always consistent,” Johnson said, “but the people (timers) may be inconsistent.”

Johnson would be the one to know. A numbers guru, he spends countless hours on his computer looking at the times of his competition. It may seem like his numbers crunching could add pressure to his shoulders, but Johnson likes knowing what time he needs before racing.

“I like to know what I’m going against before I get there, so I know exactly how to prepare myself,” said Johnson, who qualified in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles for this weekend’s Class 2A state meet. “That’s why I like knowing numbers before I get there.”

This isn’t a hobby, but more of an obsession. Johnson estimates he is on the computer “all day, everyday” looking at results from around the state. In fact, he knew his state seeding even before the IHSAreleased them.

“That’s just what I love to do,” Johnson said.

His fascination with numbers is why Johnson is described by Rocky coach Ed Lillis as omniscient, which is the Latin word for knowing all.

“He knows a lot about track and other things,” Lillis said. “He’s sneaking up there on that word.”

Yet, Johnson’s research focuses more on himself than other people.

“I know what goals I set for myself at the beginning of the season and I know what numbers I want,” Johnson said. “When I go into the race, I don’t think about the place as much as the numbers. That’s why numbers are a big thing for me.”

A state championship is the ultimate goal, but Johnson hopes to break the 16-year-old school record in the 300 hurdles. His best time this year in the event — a 38.94 set in last Friday’s sectional — is sixth-tenths of a second off Adrian Dunbar’s mark in 1994.

The research helps him get a picture of what needs to be done. The added pressure, though, doesn’t affect his performance.

“Some people, when they do that counting, it’s like they’re going to let (the race) happen on paper,” Lillis said. “He’s never been oriented to what’s happening on paper. I’ve never been worried about him doing that because it’s his nature. He’s got a built-in track memory that is just incredible.”

Perhaps Johnson is a little too cerebral, but examining numbers is what works best for him on the track. His year-long performances back that up.

“It’s just something inside of me that has to know every single thing and I have to remember everything I see,” Johnson said. “That’s why I look at it so much. Everybody has things they like to do that’s different than others. Crunching numbers is my thing.”

Class 2A boys’ state preview capsule

Where: O’Brien Stadium, Charleston
When: Friday-Saturday
Times: Preliminaries begin at 9 a.m. on Friday with finals scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday

Storylines: Rock Island qualified its 4×100-, 4×200-, 4×400- and 4×800-meter relays. The Rocks haven’t medaled in the 4×800 since 1989. … Senior Jerraco Johnson is attempting to become the first Rocky athlete to win a hurdles state championship. … Geneseo junior Billy Hamer qualified in the 400. The Maple Leafs haven’t medaled in that event since 1991.

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Rock Island’s Jackson looking to improve each day

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com

Rock Island girls’ track coach Michelle Lillis easily admits “she can’t even begin to explain” Jalea Jackson.

The explosiveness that Jackson, a sophomore sprinter/jumper, possesses gives her the ability to contend with anyone in the state. Yet, the natural burst in Jackson’s step can’t hide the fact that she’s still a little raw.

“As a freshman, she was just so naive and didn’t know what was going on and just ran,” Lillis said. “Now, she’s aware of it all and she’s a little more nervous and scared.”

Jackson certainly disguises those nerves. Through two outdoor meets this season, Jackson has the fastest 100- and 200-meter dash times and the best triple jump among Metro athletes. With the spotlight clearly shining on Jackson, those nerves do follow her to each event.

“Before the meets, I do get scared,” Jackson said. “But when it comes time to (perform), I try to put that behind me and run my best.”

In reality, Jackson shouldn’t have any anxiety. A year ago at this time, she was an unknown, cast behind Genesis Johnson and Brittany Hart on the track. It wasn’t until the Western Big 6 Conference meet that the track world was first introduced to Jackson.

In her first conference meet, Jackson shocked everyone, except her team, and won the WB6 100 title. Two weeks later, she took sixth in the Class 2A state meet and earned another medal in the 4×200 relay.

“Coming into freshman year, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Jackson said. “By the end of the season, I knew I could do it. I knew if I put my mind to it, I could be good. Coming into this season, I know what I need to do and I know what I need to work on.”

Jackson is on track to become the first athlete in program history to win individual medals in four different state meets. That can become a reality, but Lillis said she needs to get better out of the starting blocks and develop a consistent running motion.

“She has focused on it so hard,” Lillis said. “Her running form itself has been all over the place and she goes back and forth in the lane. She has been working very hard on straightening up her form and coming out of the blocks straighter.”

Still, Jackson is quietly becoming a leader of a deep and talented sophomore group. The class is developing each day, and Jackson is part of the foundation.

“It was definitely nice to see her step up as a sophomore,” Lillis said. “We have a lot of sophomores on the team and that is part of our problem at the moment because they’re not consistent yet. Jalea is building that confidence, which is what we need when we get closer to May.”

When the month flips, Jackson’s goals and determination will reach another level. Those nerves will be there each time she steps on the track, but Jackson won’t let them get in her way.

“I hope we can get another state title,” Jackson said. “For myself, I hope to get better and get some records.”

This week in track and field

Boys

Today: Orion, Mercer County at Monmouth-Roseville, 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Geneseo at Galesburg, 4:30 p.m.; Sherrard, Rockridge, Riverdale, Erie-Prophetstown at Fulton Relays, 4:30 p.m.; Kewanee, Annawan-Wethersfield at Princeton Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: Prep boys’ track: Alleman at Byron Relays, 4:15 p.m.; Fulton at Rock Falls, 4:30 p.m.
Friday: United Township, Geneseo at Galesburg A-B-C Invitational, 4:30 p.m.; Orion, Erie-Prophetstown, Kewanee, Annawan-Wethersfield, Fulton at Riverdale Invitational, 4 p.m.
Saturday: Rock Island at Homewood-Flossmoor Invitational, 9 a.m.; Moline at Ottawa Invitational, Noon

Girls

Today: Orion, Mercer County at Monmouth-Roseville, 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Alleman, Geneseo, Sherrard at Sterling, 4:30 p.m.; Moline at Clinton Invitational, 4 p.m.; Kewanee, Ridgewood, Bureau Valley at Annawan-Wethersfield, 4 p.m.
Thursday: Ridgewood, Monmouth-Roseville, Alexis United at Rockridge, 4 p.m.; Fulton at Rock Falls, 4:30 p.m.
Friday: Orion, Erie-Prophetstown, Kewanee, Annawan-Wethersfield, Fulton at Riverdale Invitational, 4 p.m.
Saturday: United Township, Alleman, Geneseo, Moline at Rock Island Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

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RI's Turner, Johnson run to SIU-E

January 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Being building blocks for the future fit Rock Island track standouts Ciara Turner and Jerraco Johnson perfectly.Turner and Johnson have accepted scholarship offers to attend Southern Illinois-Edwardsville beginning in the fall, when they will be a part of a track program that is moving to NCAA Division I status this season.

“They are starting to put their team together this year and next,” Turner said. “I’m excited to have a chance to be a part of the process and I’m kind of used to it because we’ve had to do it a few times since I’ve been running at Rocky.”

Added Johnson, “It’s kind of scary, just like coming to the high-school team from junior high. I just loved the atmosphere there and I know I can be a part of the building process.”

Turner, who brought home three medals (first in 4×100 relay, sixth in 4×200 relay and seventh in 300 hurdles) for the Class 2A state champion Rocks from the 2009 IHSA state track meet, expects to run the 400 low hurdles and 100 high hurdles in college. She chose SIU-E over Western Illinois for the comfort level.

“I thought Western was going to be my first choice,” she said. “Then, I went on my visit (to SIU-E) and felt a really good connection. I believe in chemistry and I felt it right away.”

Johnson qualified for the boys’ state finals in the 110 high hurdles, the 300 low hurdles and was a part of the third-place 4×100 relay team. He also chose SIU-E over WIU and is glad the process is finally over.

“I know I will be way more relaxed this spring because I am no longer running to prove myself to anyone,” he said.

Rock Island boys’ coach Ed Lillis doesn’t think Johnson has to prove anything to anyone, and loves the attitude his senior standout brings to the team.

“Jerraco is a coach on the field,” Ed Lillis said. “I sometimes feel I should pay him a (coaching) stipend, but this scholarship is his well-deserved stipend. I can’t wait to see how much more he develops in his college career.”

Likewise, Rocky girls’ coach Michelle Lillis loves Turner’s skills in sports and in life.

“Ciara has been a leader since she arrived here at Rock Island High School,” Michelle Lillis said. “She exemplifies the meaning of student/athlete and is a wonderful role model. The best athletic skill she possesses is her desire to always improve.”

Turner already has proven herself in the 400 hurdles when she ran that event in AAU meets between her sophomore and junior years. Now, she’s gained a great deal more confidence in the 100, where she’s struggled with her steps in the past.

“I’ve had success in the 300 hurdles and it’s not that much different in the 400,” she said. “In the 100s, I went to a camp at Western Illinois and one of the coaches worked with me on getting over my fears. Now, I’m confident and attacking the hurdles.”

Johnson isn’t sure where he slots in at SIU-E, but he’s ready for anything.

“They just told me to be ready to work hard and be willing to do whatever they ask,” he said. “They said they wanted dedicated people and I believe they got two of them in Ciara and me.”
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RI track standout Turner headed to SIU-Edwardsville

December 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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By Jeff Wendlandrock_islandHaving been through plenty of “rebuildling” seasons on the Rock Island girls’ track team, Rocky senior Ciara Turner is ready to try it in college.

Turner has accepted a scholarship offer to attend Southern Illinois-Edwardsville beginning in the fall where she’ll be a part of a track program that is moving to NCAADivision Istatus this season.

“They are starting to put their team together this year and next,” Turner said. “I’m excited to have a chance to be a part of the process and I’m kind of used to it because we’ve had to do it a few times since I’ve been running at Rocky.

Turner, who brought home three medals (first in 4×100 relay, sixth in 4×200 relay and seventh in 300 hurdles) from the 2009 state track meet, expects to run the 400 low hurdles and 100 high hurdles in college. She chose SIU-E over Western Illinois for the comfort level.

“I thought Western was going to be my first choice,” she said. “Then, I went on my visit (to SIU-E) and felt a really good connection. I believe in chemistry and I felt it right away.”
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Genesis Johnson named Athlete of the Year for girls' metro track and field

June 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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By Daniel Makarewicz

Photo: Gary Krambeck 

rock_islandThe story has been told before, but it never really seems to get old.

Down 8 1/2 points with two events left in the Class 2A state meet, the expected state title for the Rock Island girls’ track team was slipping away.

The Rocks needed senior sprinter Genesis Johnson to come up with two huge performances in the 200-meter dash and the 4×400 relay to push them past Springfield Southeast in the team standings.

Like a fairytale, Johnson came through.

She finished fourth in the 200 to cut the deficit to 4.5 points with one event left. Twenty minutes later, Rocky would need Johnson to come up with another gutsy effort to claim the state title.

The Rocks needed at least a fifth-place finish in the 4×400 to win the championship, but with one lap left, they were sixth.

Calmly, Johnson took the baton and stayed close to the four- and fifth-place runners. Almost effortlessly, she passed the two from the outside with 200 meters left and delivered the state championship.

“I always think about my teammates before I think of myself, especially when we were down (at state) and looking for points,” Johnson said. “I just take it and run with it.”

That is what made Johnson an elite athlete. She always delivered when the pressure was at the highest and that is why Rocky coach Michelle Lillis kept telling anyone who would listen to “never doubt Genesis Johnson.”

She had a competitive fire that was unmatched and a will to win that may never be touched. Because of those traits, she leaves Rocky with seven medals, the most state medals in program history, and earned her this year’s Metro Girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year for The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus, the second consecutive year she won the award.

In her career, she won the Class AA 400 title as a junior and was the anchor leg on this year’s Class 2A 4×100 state champion.

– How does it feel to have won the most individual medals in school history?

“I didn’t know that until (the weekend after state). It’s a great accomplishment. I feel great, I guess. It’s a great thing. Hopefully, some of the underclassmen can do the same thing.”

– Has it sunk in that you are a state champion?

“No, but I think it will sink in (when I graduate). It kind of has, but it kind of hasn’t.”

– What was more special – an individual state title, a relay state title or a team state title?

“I think it was the team state title because we all can share this moment 20 years from now. I can be like, ‘Oh, that’s my teammate. We won state together.’ We did it as a team so I think the team one is the best.”

– There are three ways an athlete can win a state title and you earned each of them. How neat is that?

“I guess it’s great. I never really looked at it that way. I feel that I was just gifted in my mama’s womb and maybe God put a blessing on me to be the person I am today.”

– Did you accomplish everything you wanted on the track?

“Yes. I have no regrets. I think I accomplished what I wanted in my four years.”

– What is in store for the future?

“I haven’t decided yet but I know I’m going to school. In 2012, I will be in the Olympics. That’s my goal.”
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Girls' metro track and field all-stars

June 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Daniel Makarewicz

Athlete of the YearGenesis Johnson – Rock Island, Sr., Won a school-record eight state medals in her career. Earned six medals the last two seasons. Sectional champion in the 200 and 400. Was part of the Rocks’ state-champion 4×100 relay and earned a fourth-place medal in the 4×400. Took second in the 400 and fourth in the 200 at the state meet. Western Big 6 Conference champion in the 200 and 400.

First team

Marissa Bell – United Township, Jr., Western Big 6 Conference champion in the high jump.

Cherise Burrage – Rock Island, Sr., Class 2A state qualifier in the long jump and high jump.

Ebony Craig – Rock Island, Sr., Finished sixth in the triple jump at the Class 2A state meet. Also won WB6 long jump title.

Amanda Egan – Geneseo, So., Class 2A state qualifier in the discus. Was the NCIC Reagan Division discus champion.

Telis Garcia – Rock Island, So., Member of the Rocks’ 4×400 relay that finished fourth in Class 2A.

Trineisha Gray – Rock Island, Fr., Was on the Rocks’ fourth-place 4×400 relay.

Brittney Hart – Rock Island, Sr., Member of the Rocks’ state-champion 4×100 relay and also earned a sixth-place medal in the 4×200.

Taelar Hillyer – Alleman, Jr., Finished third in the pole vault at the Class 2A state. Also won the WB6 pole vault champion.

Kathleen Hogan – Alleman, Sr., Earned fourth in the Class 2A 800 and was the WB6 800 and 1600 champion.

Jalea Jackson – Rock Island, Fr., Took sixth in the 100 at the Class 2A meet and also earned another sixth-place medal in the 4×200. Was the WB6 champion in the 100.

Dionna Reed – Rock Island, So., Class 2A state qualifier in the 100 hurdles.

Triona Roberts – Rock Island, Jr., Member of the Rocks’ state-champion 4×100 relay and also earned medals in the 4×200 and 4×400.

Jennifer Roche – Moline, So., Class 3A state qualifier in the pole vault. Also won the sectional champion.

Michelle Strickland – Rock Island, Sr., Tied for fifth in the high jump at the Class 2A state meet.

Ciara Turner – Rock Island, Jr., Member of the Rocks’ 4×100 relay that earned a state title and was also on the 4×200 that placed sixth. Finished seventh in the 300 hurdles.

Emily Wolbers – Moline, Jr., Class 3A state qualifier in the 800.

Megan Wyffels – Geneseo, Jr., Class 2A state qualifier in the pole vault.

Honorable mention

Alleman: Sam Bazely, Monique DeCap, Mary Ludin, Brooke Marriott

Geneseo: Kaci Storm, Amy Cosgrove, Danielle Dewey, Stephanie Kennett, Sally Hamer, Tess Hamer, Joann Chenoweth

Moline: Sarah Castel, Allyssa Decker, Miranda Geever, Brianna McCorkle, Kaitlyn Wehr, Haley Resler, Allison Wells

Rock Island: Ebonie Johnson

United Township: Kerri Clay, Breanna McCaw, Shakayla Jordan, Autumn Vergeyle
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Rock Island athletes make college choices

June 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Three Rock Island High School senior athletes announced plans to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Three members of Rocky’s 2A state champion girls track & field team — high jumpers Michelle Strickland and Cherise Burrage, and long and triple jumper Ebony Craig — will continue running together at the University of Dubuque.

Champion sprinter Genesis Johnson is still weighing options between several schools. Boys’track state champion triple jumper Julian Mayfield is leaning toward Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; however, Western Illinois University, and the University of Iowa are still under consideration.
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Rock Island (H.S.) Sectional

May 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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The top two sectional finishers in each event advance to the May 28-30 state meet at Charleston along with those meeting the following standards. Manual time standards are followed by fully automatic standards.

Class 2A: 100 meters- 10.8, 11.04; 200- 22.4, 22.64; 400- 50.7, 50.94; 800- 1:59.2, 1:59.24; 1,600- 4:30.2, 4:30.44; 3,200- 9:49.0, 9:49.24; 110 high hurdles- 14.8, 15.04; 300 intermediate hurdles- 40.3, 40.54; Long jump – 21-8; High jump- 6-3; Triple jump- 43-6; Pole vault- 13-3; Shot put- 50-11; Discus- 148-0; 400 relay- 43.7, 43.94; 800 relay- 1:31.7, 1:31.94; 1,600 relay- 3:28.0, 3:28.24; 3,200 relay- 8:15.0, 8:15.24. 

rock_island2Saturday, May 16, 2009
10:00 a.m.

 

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Bartonville (Limestone)
Dunlap
East Peoria
Galesburg (H.S.)
Geneseo
Metamora
Peoria (H.S.)
Peoria (Notre Dame)
Peoria (Richwoods)
Peoria (Woodruff)
Rock Island (Alleman)
Rock Island (H.S.)
Washington

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