Athlete of the Year

The illustration is a rendering of All-State sprinter Tim Faust. Tim was named the Winged Foot Foundation’s 2011 Athlete of the Year. As a Thornton HS Senior, Tim won the 100, 200 and anchored the first place 4x200 relay at the 2011 Illinois State Track & Field meet leading Thornton's team to a 3rd place finish.

These athletic accomplishments and academic success (3.5 GPA) helped Tim earn a scholarship to Ohio State University. To celebrate these achievements, award winning artist Jim Weren drew the rendering of Tim Faust for the Winged Foot Foundation.

The illustration is a rendering of the 2012 Student Athlete of the Year, Marlon Britton. He lead his team at Leo Catholic HS to their 2nd consecutive state championship.

Marlon anchored LEO’s 4x100 Relay to First Place with a time of 42.76 and he placed 2nd in the 100 Meter High Hurdles in 14.69. The LEO Senior currently has a 3.61 GPA.

The illustration is a rendering of the 2010 Student Athlete of the Year, Ashley Stacey. Ashley’s performances at the Illinois State Meet were phenomenal as she lead her team to a 3rd place finish!!!
After defending her State Crown in the long jump, (19’ 5¾ ”), the Thornton senior came back to take 6th in the 100 meter dash (12.02) and then took 3rd in the triple jump with a personal record, (39’ 2¼”) . Ashley saved her best performance for last as she wowed the crowd with a come from behind victory in the 200 meter dash, (24.26), for another PR.

Kenneth is being recognized for his outstanding academic & athletic accomplishments in the 2013 school year.
Committed to a year round training schedule, Kenneth has enjoyed great success in cross country and on the track demonstrating impressive range from 100 meters to 3 miles. After his runner-up finish in the 2012 State Meet 400 (48.33) and 8th place finish at the Nationals (47.94) in his Junior year, Kenneth was committed to getting stronger in his senior year by way of a solid cross country season and qualifying for the State Cross Country Meet.

The ultimate goal was to carry that endurance into the 2013 track season and capturing the State Meet 400 meter title.
The Thunderbird senior, enjoyed a successful cross country season highlighted by a personal best 3 mile time of 15:33 at the State Cross Country Meet. The indoor track season was even more impressive leading Illinois with the season’s best 400 time of 49.31. The outdoor season was marked with impressive performances in the 100 (10.99), the 200 (22.17) and 400 (48.82) but a muscle strain at the Sectionals prevented Kenneth from qualifying for the State Track Meet.

With a graduating GPA of 3.61 and a bright Track future ahead of him, Kenneth is on his way to the University of Illinois where he will be competing for the Illini in the 2014 track season.

Ebony McClendon of Chicago’s Brooks College Prep Academy is the WFF 2014 Athlete of the Year for her performances all season and especially at the Sectional and State Meets. At State, Ebony placed in 4 events, pacing her Brooks team to an overall 5th place finish. Ebony was All-State in all 4 events: 2nd in the 100 (11.80), 2nd in the 200 (24.39), 3rd in the 4x200 (1:42.23) and 5th in the 4x100 (48.76).
Ebony also represented the University of Chicago Track Club in the off season. Her most notable club races being her: Indoor 60 Meter dash in 7.45, ranked 6th nationally and her 11.73 & 24.26 double at the Outdoor AAU National Jr. Olympics.
Ebony is not only an excellent athlete she is also an exceptional student. As a result of all her hard work in the classroom and on the track, Ebony accepted a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Pavlo Hutsalyuk achieved his goals in the classroom and on the track during his Senior year at Lane Tech. In cross country, Pavlo was the Chgo. Public League Champ, 9th at the Regional, 14th at the Sectional and covered the State Meet 3 mile course in 15:29 for 114th.

During the Indoor Track season, Pavlo posted the 5th best 1600 meter time in Illinois at 4:19.1, a 1:57.8 800 m. and a very fast 1:26.7 in the 600 m. Outdoor, Pavlo recorded several personal best times and titles: :50.38 400m., 1:51.58 800m., 10:04 3200 m., Sectional 1600 m. Champion 4:18.2, 3A State Meet 1600 m. Champion 4:08.19.

Pavlo was named the Lane Tech team MVP and is also an excellent student, AP Scholar and recipient of President's Award for Educational Excellence. Spring 2016, Pavlo will be racing for the University of Iowa.

Imani Carothers of Brooks College Prep. has been named the Winged Foot Foundation’s 2016 Student Athlete of the Year. As a senior, Imani enjoyed a successful indoor season and an even more impressive outdoor campaign posting Personal Records in all of her events. Imani’s most notable performances came at the Illinois State Track Meet where she took 1st place in the 100 M. Hurdles (:13.92), Long Jump (19’5.7”), and Triple Jump (40’075”). Imani has accepted a track scholarship to the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Sidney Walker
2021 Whitney Young HS

Kalil Johnson
2021 Evanston HS

The Whitney Young Junior topped her strong season with outstanding performances at the State Meet. Sydney finished 1st and recorded a personal record in the 200 Meters, (24.46), anchored the winning 4x100 relay (47.24) and 3rd place 4x200 relay (1:41:54) for the Dolphins and also managed a 5th place finish in the 100 meters (12.35).

Kalil dominated the 2021 track season racing undefeated in the 100 meters High Hurdles and 300 meters Low Hurdles. This perfect season included victories with personal records (14.01) and (38.08) at the State Meet.

Naomi Bey-Osborne
2022 Kankakee HS

Jayon Morrow
2022 Kankakee HS

Naomi Bey-Osborne made IHSA history by winning 4 events at the 2022 State Track & Field Meet, leading the Lady Kays to the State Title.
- 1st 4x100 meter relay 48.35
- 1st 4x400 meter relay 3:57.93 (School Record)
- 1st 200 meter 25.22
- 1st 400 meter 56.53

Jayon Morrow lead his Kankakee Kays to victory at the 2022 IHSA State Meet by finishing 2nd in 3 events and 1st in the 4x100 meter relay.
- 1st 4x100 meter relay 41.91 (School Record)
- 2nd 100 meter 10.76 (School Record)
- 2nd 200 meter 21.47 (School Record)
- 2nd 400 meter 47.48 (School Record)

From left, Kankakee High School Track & Field members Tyrice Bender, Jayon Morrow, Head Coach Marques Lowe, Nevaeh Lowe, Naomi Bey-Osborne pose with the Southland Athletic Conference, IHSA 2A Sectional and IHSA 2A State Finals Championship trophies and Plaques.

Kankakee High School has been in the WFF network of schools since 2011 and steadily improving their programs. Their positive culture, hard work and community support has lead to success. In 2022, Kankakee was the first in state history to win both the girls and boys state track & field team championships in the same season.

Naomi Bey-Osborne
2023

Bill Bailey Jr.
2023 Joliet West HS

At the State Meet, Naomi almost won 4 events, leading Kankakee to its second straight Team Championship. Naomi is our first Athlete of the Year Repeat winner.

●	2nd Place 200 Meter 24.58

●	1st Place 400 Meter 56.20

●	1st Place 4x100 Relay 47.72

●	1st Place 4x400 Relay 3:57.65

A very rare and successful triple at the State Meet has crowned Bill Bailey Jr. the WFF Athlete of the Year. All-State performances in three events have helped Joliet West to a 9th place 3A team finish and earned Bill at place on the EIU Track Team in 2024.