Mariyah Robinson prefers to run when it’s a little warmer outside.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s junior sprinter got her first chance of the season to race in the sun during the Class 3A Lockport sectional on May 14. The high temperature was 80 degrees, there weren’t many clouds in the sky and Robinson had a banner day, posting personal records in all three sprints. 

“The weather motivated me because I don’t work well in the cold,” Robinson said. “I knew, based off the weather, today was going to be a great day for me.” 

She was right. Robinson tallied an 11.46-second 100-meter dash, a 23.91 200 and a 53.55 400. 

Those numbers put her in a spot to realistically think about reaching her preseason goal of winning all three sprints at the state meet. The 400 time is faster than any posted in Illinois this season, per Milesplit. The 100 and 200 times aren’t far behind Whitney Young’s Angelena Bullocks (11.33 and 23.65). 

“I wanted to go for the triple crown, which no one has done in quite a few years,” Robinson said. “I wanted to bring it back because I know I’m capable of doing it.” 

Glenwood’s Katelyn Lehnen won the 100 and 400 and finished fourth in the 200 last year. The last sprinter to win all three was Brittny Ellis from Warren in 2015. 

“We knew if we get (Robinson) in the weight room, get her stronger, lessen her reps and save her body for right now, we figured she’ll go fast this time of the year,” Vikings coach Tywon Green said. “She’s been running her butt off. She locked in, primed and ready to win some state championships.” 

H-F has a chance to win a team state title at the state meet May 23 and 24 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. The Vikings were ranked No. 1 early in the season and finished the regular season at No. 2 behind Mt. Prospect. Robinson will need to have a big day for Homewood-Flossmoor to finish at the top.

“We knew we that we could come out here and work and by the time state comes, we’re going to be ready as a team,” Robinson said. “We never doubted it.” 

If Robinson has that kind of day, she’ll likely enter the record books. Her times are already near state records. The 100 record is 11.41, set in 2004 by Morgan Park’s Alexandria Anderson and tied in 2012 by Waubonsie Valley’s Morolake Akinosun. 

“I just go out there and perform and whatever happens, happens and I’m going to be happy about it,” Robinson said. “I don’t want to feel pressure and have to meet those standards. I don’t like doing that to myself.” 

The Vikings are loaded in the sprints. Robinson was pushed all spring by teammates like Aniya Mullins, London Willingham and London Jarrett. Those three will also run the 400-meter relay with her at state.

“I’m peaking at the right time. Sectionals really showed me that I’m going to be right there for state,” Robinson said. “I’m always going to push my teammate and we’re going to go further and further together.” 

H-F will need big contributions from throwers Jaloni Wiley and Micah Jackson, Jarrett in the jumps, Diaymond Childress in the hurdles, among others. Robinson and her relay teams will be key, too.

The Vikings only girls track state title came in 2019. Green said adding another would be a highlight of his 15-year coaching career. 

“We have to go out there and compete and I don’t want to say be mistake-free, but be mistake-free,” he said. “I’ve been close but no cigar. It’s the dream. To me, it would be the start of something special because I think with this group of girls we have moving forward I think we can set the tone (for the future).”