FACES OFF THE FIELD: KAILYN COOK, JUNIOR SPRINTER/JUMPER, ELGIN

Tell us something you're looking forward to doing after you graduate. Something I am looking forward to after I graduate is getting out of Elgin and exploring bigger cities to meet new crowds of people since I've lived in the same town since I was little. Tell us something about you that most people don't know. Most people don't know that my ethnicity includes half Asian, and that I have two older siblings. If you had visitors from another state, what would you do with them in Elgin? I would take someone from another state to the downtown area in Elgin, because that's really the only place where entertainment is in a small town. What has been your favorite track memory in high school? My favorite track memory is when I made it to regionals in my sophomore year for long jump and the open 100-meter dash while having my grandparents, parents and big sister there to support me. From running to jumping, you've competed in several different events. What has been your favorite? Out of all the events I've performed in for track and field, I would say I enjoy the adrenaline rush I get when doing the 4x100 (meter relay), but I also enjoy long jump because I feel most comfortable doing that event. You compete in soccer and track. Does one help the other? While doing both soccer and track, running up and down the soccer field helps my endurance during track season. Track and soccer have both helped and showed me how to have good sportsmanship and meet new people. I don't think there has been one soccer game or track meet that I've been to without having a small convo with the girl next to me on the line or playing on my side of the field. If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be? I'm going to choose Zendaya, Michelle Obama, Rihanna and (beauty/fashion influencer) Monet McMichael. Why Zendaya? I chose Zendaya because she has always been a woman that I've looked up to since I was little watching her on the Disney Channel. — Rick Cantu

MIKALA COMPTON/AMERICAN-STATESMAN Elgin junior Kailyn Cook stays busy in the spring, competing in both soccer and track and field. She thinks soccer, with all its running up and down the field, helps get her ready for track.