ILXCTF.com Illinois HS Track & Field 2021 Season Awards - Girls Field Events

By Michael Newman

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The toughest category to choose was Girls Feld Events. 2021 was a banner season for Girls’ athletes in these disciplines. There were so many great performances.

Tori Thomas of Rock Island Alleman was our choice as the ILXCTF.com Girls Field Events Athlete of the Year.

Thomas went undefeated in the Pole Vault in the nine meets that she competed in the event in 2021. Her season culminated by winning the state title in the event at the Class 2A State Finals on June 11.

Most importantly, Thomas took this event to new heights establishing three Illinois All-Time Bests during this season. She cleared 13-6 in a Missouri indoor invitational at the beginning of January. She bettered that by clearing 13-7.75 at the Western Big Six Conference Meet on May 21. She bettered that four days later clearing 13-9.25 at a home dual meet.

Jayden Ulrich of East Alton-Wood River was also looked at as AOY in the field events. Ulrich had a great senior season ranked #2 nationally in the Shot Put. Her 51-10.75 effort at the Collinsville Invitational on May 14 was the second-best mark ever for an Illinois Athlete in the event trailing only Kathleen Young’s 53-5 best of 2017. Her 168-1.75 throw in the Discus is an all-time Illinois best. She went undefeated in both events this season including winning both the Shot Put and the Discus at the 2A State Finals. Ulrich also earned All-American honors finishing fifth in the Shot Put at The Outdoor Nationals.

Riley Ammenhauser of Neuqua Valley was our choice as the Class 3A Girls Field Events Athlete of the Year. The soon to be student at the University of Michigan ended her high school career undefeated against Illinois competition in the Triple Jump including three state championships in the event. Ammenhauser also finished fourth in 2021 in the Long Jump in the 3A State Finals. Her 42-11 jump at the Lockport Sectional is currently ranked second in the United States.

Windsor Roberts of Downs Tri-Valley was the 1A Girls Field Events Athlete of the Year. Roberts won her third straight 1A championship when she cleared 12-2.75 to win at the Class 1A State Finals. She went undefeated against Class 1A competition during the 2021 season. Roberts has a season’s best of 13-1.5 that she cleared at the Illinois Indoor Meet of Champions in March.