This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Ehimwenman Honored as H-F's Top Spring Sports Athlete

Vikings' Abie Ehimwenman transforms from 'little sister' to big fish in IHSA girls state track pond.

Abie Ehimwenman, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, track & field

Major Accomplishments

Ehimwenman was the Class 3A girls state champion in the long jump and triple jump events.

She helped H-F come within a whisker of winning a trophy at the Class 3A girls state track meet. The Vikings scored 35 points and placed fourth, one point behind third-place finisher Hoffman Estates (36) and two behind runnerup Lincoln-Way East (37).

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Her Story

Looking at Ehimwenman today, one would think she had this coming to her all along. Fresh off a spectacular senior season that saw her obliterate her opponents and bring home state championships in both the long jump and triple jump, one could probably see why.

She had genetics on her side, coming from a family where her older brother Nosa (2000) and older sister Linda (2007) also were track and field standouts and also made it downstate for the Vikings. She is blessed with the same unbelievable desire to succeed.

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But success wasn't always a guarantee for Ehimwenman as she struggled during her first two years of high school.

"She has shown girls how much an athlete can progress in a short amount of time if they put in the work," Viking track coach Rob Assise said. "In a two year span, she went from a solid frosh/soph athlete to a national-elite."

During her freshman year, Ehimwenman tore her ACL during the basketball season. She missed the entire track season. Then, during her sophomore season, her best long jump was 13 feet. She did not compete in triple jump and only competed in a varsity relay one time.

Ehimwenman has grown by leaps and bounds since.

After finsihing second in the triple jump and failing to qualify for the long jump at last season's state meet, Ehimwenman made it a goal to return and win both events. And that she did just that.

Leading up to the state competition, it wasn't a matter of if, but by how much Ehimwenman would win her events during dual meets and conference and sectional competitions. Then, on the big stage in Charleston, Ehimwenman did something that neither her brother, nor her sister managed to pull off--she became a state champion.

Ehimwenman had a winning leap of 19-2 3/4 in the long jump and finished nearly a half a foot in front of second-place finisher Kathryn Pickett of Glenbard West. Pickett's best jump was 18-9 1/4.

In the triple jump, Ehimwenman came back to take her second individual state title with a mark of 40-4. She bested second-place finisher Tori Franklin of Downers Grove South (39-9) by more than half a foot.

When Assise looks back at what Ehimwenman has meant to his program, he will always remember her tremendous desire to succeed.

Abie Ehimwenman: In Her Own Words

"When I look back at this past season, I will always remember winning conference, sectionals and state and having all of the support of my teammates and friends.

"I feel the biggest reasons for my growth are my focus and drive, my increased confidence and great coaching."

Personal

Ehimwenman will attend Ohio State University in the fall and participate on the track team. She will remember how far she has come through her years at H-F.

Though moving on to the same university as brother Nosa did a decade back, Abie hopes to make her own mark in Buckeyeland much as she did for the Vikings.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?