Pike IN Senior Lynna Irby One of Three Top Sprinters Making Names for Themselves in Indiana

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

Year after year, many of the best sprinters come from California, Florida and Texas. However, Indiana is growing in importance behind the speedy efforts of three girls from Indianapolis, according to a profile by David Woods of the Indy Star.

Lynna Irby, the Pike IN senior, is best known nationally. She has won medals at the IAAF World Youth Championships and World U20 Championships for Team USA in the past two years.

"I mean, we're on the map," Irby said in describing the rise of girls sprinting in Indiana.

In addition to Irby, Semira Killebrew, a Brebeuf Jesuit IN sophomore, and Mikeisha Covington, a Warren Central IN sophomore, were age-group champions growing up. Now in high school, they make sprinting in Indiana stronger than ever.

Irby does not need to travel far to get a good race. All three lined up against each other in the 100 meters at the Marion County Championships. Killebrew was the early leader, but Irby came back to win it in 11.74. Killebrew finished in 11.94 with Covington third in 12.20.

A similar situation played out in the 200 meters. Irby came away the winner in a season's best 23.75. This time Covington was second, running 24.28, and Killebrew third in 24.62. Irby's 200 time ranks her in the top 20 in the country so far this season.

As the season progresses, expect Irby to begin moving up in distance. She led the nation last year in the 400 meters with her 51.39 she ran at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, earning the silver medal.