By Michael Newman

[email protected]

 

Here are some of the highlights of each of the 14 1A Girls IHSA Sectional Meets (May 8 to May 10).

 

FRIDAY May 10

Chicago Latin School Sectional @ Hope Academy

Latin School showed that they could contend for the 1A State Meet title next weekend with a strong performance in this sectional. The Romans qualified ten individuals and two relays in winning this sectional with 137 points. IC Catholic Prep (129.5 points) and Timothy Christian (96.5 points) finished second and third.

Latin’s strength is in the distance events where they will be favorites in each of the four events. Ava Parekh took advantage of great distance conditions on Hope Academy’s new track as she ran the third fastest time in the state (10:27.35) winning ahead of IC Catholic Prep’s Carly Manchester (11:25.93).

Marianne Mihas helped Latin by winning the 800 Meter Run (2:17.40) finishing ahead of IC’ s Kennedy Calcagno (2:23.33). Parekh and Mihas finished 1-2 in the 1600 Meter Run as Parekh ran 5:04.81 for the win ahead of Mihas (5:24.73), Manchester (5:26.89), and Calcagno (5:28.07). Parekh and Mihas were also a part of Latin School’s winning 1600 Meter Relay (4:16.25) finishing just ahead of IC Catholic Prep (4:16.49). Latin School ran 9:57.60 to win the 3200 Meter Relay.

Tyrah Taylor of Hope Academy was the meet’s only other double winner. Taylor ran 12.72 to win the 100 Meter Dash and ran 27:30 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Oregon Sectional

Winnebago scored 138 points to win the sectional team title ahead of host Oregon (127 points). Winnebago qualified ten individuals and two relays to next week’s state meet. Winnebago went 1-2 in the 1600 Meter Run as freshman Katie Erb ran 5:24.61 finishing with teammate Natalia Martino (5:24.62). Martino also won the 3200 Meter Run (11:58.50).

Kenndra Jackson of Byron was a double winner as she ran 12.99 to win the 100 Meter dash and 27.10 to win the 200 Meter Dash. Oregon’s Cynthia Nyderek also won two events jumping 35-2 to win the Triple Jump and running 48.03 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles.

 

Seneca Sectional

Seneca cruised to the team title in their own sectional scoring 154 points and finishing ahead of Wilmington (79 points). The Irish qualified 12 individuals and three relays to Charleston.

Liberty Christian Academy’s Julia Wolke was impressive winning two distance events. The freshman ran 11:20.543 to win the 3200 Meter Run over a loaded field with Beecher’s Hailey Janssen second (11:25.58), Audrey Jenkins of Seneca third (11:40.14), and Julie O’Sullivan of Chicago Christian (11:58.44). Wolke ran 5:22.27 to win the 1600 Meter Run with Janssen finishing second (5:24.42).

Aurora Christian’s Alyssa Busker won both the 100 Meter Dash (12.50) and the 200 Meter Dash (25.71). Newark’s Megan Williams won both the 100 Meter Hurdles (15.33) and the 300 Meter Hurdles (46.93).

Autumn Switzer of Wilmington qualified in three events clearing 4-10 to win the High Jump and jumping 36-0.50 to win the Triple Jump. Switzer also qualified in the Long Jump.

 

St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional

Defending 1A State Team Champion St. Joseph-Ogden appears to be ready to defend their state title. The Lady Spartans qualified six individuals and four relays to next Thursday’s prelims scoring 129.5 points to capture the sectional title. Urbana University finished second (75.5 points).

SJO won three of the four relays starting with a 50.52 to win the 400 Meter Relay. The Lady Spartans followed by running 1:46.91 to win the 800 Meter Relay and then 4:15.17 to win the 1600 Meter Relay ahead of Urbana University (4:15.87). Urbana University ran 11:06.48 to win the 3200 Meter Relay.

Salt Fork’s Gracie Jessup won two events running 15.97 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles and running 46.97 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles.

Sierra Bryant of Bismarck-Henning swept the sprint events running 12.90 to win the 100 Meter Dash, running 1:00.52 to win the 400 Meter Dash, and running 26.34 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

Fran Hendrickson of St. Thomas More will be one of the favorites next week in the 1600 Meter Run. The senior easily won the 1600 Meter Run (5:23.97) by almost 20 seconds.

 

THURSDAY May 9

Carlinville Sectional

Alton Marquette captured the sectional crown at Carlinville scoring 83 points for the win. Virden North Mac (68 points) and Litchfield (67 points) finished second and third.

Auburn’s Ellie Canaday won both the Shot Put (35-10) and the Discus (127-8). Rory Drew of Carlinville was another double winner as she ran 1:00.15 to win the 400 Meter Dash and then ran 27.11 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

Alton Marquette’s Riley Vickrey also qualified for two events at the state meet. The junior ran 11:52.03 to win the 3200 Meter Run and then 5:37.63 in winning the 1600 Meter Run.

 

El Paso-Gridley Sectional

El Paso-Gridley were “rude” hosts as they easily won their home sectional with 166 points. Tremont was the closest team to EPG as they scored 63 points to finish second. El Paso-Gridley won three of the four relays including running 50.99 to win the 400 Meter Relay ahead of Lowpoint-Washburn (51.30). The order changed in the 800 Meter Relay with Lowpoint-Washburn winning (1:51.84) ahead of El Paso-Gridley (1:52.07).

Cate Atkins of El Paso-Gridley ran 11:54.78 to win the 3200 Meter Run ahead of Tremont’s Lizzy Freidinger (11:56.24) and EPG’s Sophia Allen (12:09.30). Allen and Atkins finished 1-2 in the 1600 Meter Run as the two finished together separated by only a tenth of a second (5:44.13 – 5:44.23).

 

Erie-Prophetstown Sectional

Rock Island Alleman could be another team to keep an eye on next week in Charleston. The Pioneers scored 98.5 points to win the sectional title advancing 13 individuals and 3 relays to next week’s state meet.

This meet was one of the top 1A sectional meets this week with so many quality performances. Bureau Valley, led by sophomore Kamryn Kolb, were strong in the sprint relays as they ran 50.33 to win the 400 Meter Relay ahead of Fulton (50.43). Bureau Valley came back to run 1:47.42 to win the 800 Meter Relay ahead of Milledgeville (1:47.90). Kolb only needed a 17-6 effort to win the Long Jump. Kolb also qualified in the 200 Meter Dash finishing third.

Milledgeville’s Olivia Sturrup swept the sprints running 12.52 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of Alleman’s Tori Thomas (12.64) and Rockridge’s Keely Parker (12.65). Sturrup came back to run 26.01 to win the 200 Meter Dash ahead of Thomas (26.35) and Kolb (26.91).

Alexandra Cajigal of Alleman won two distance races. The senior ran 11:38.51 to edge Newman Catholic’s Karlie Hey (1:39.41) to win the 3200 Meter Run. The two runners finished 1-2 in the 1600 Meter Run with Cajigal running 5:39.90 ahead of Hey’s 5:41.89.

Chloe Lindeman of Fulton qualified in both weight events. The indoor national champion had a 45-4.25 put to win the Shot Put as five athletes qualified in that event. Eight athletes qualified for state in the Discus. Riverdale’s Hope Jackson threw 132-7 for the win. Lindeman only needed a 115-2 qualifying throw to finish sixth and punch her ticket to Charleston.

Danielle Taets of Orion qualified in three events winning two of them. Taets only needed a 36-1.25 to win the Triple Jump. The defending state champion then ran 15.50 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles. She finished second in the 300 Meter Hurdles (48.64) just behind Amboy’s Emma Lundquist (48.37).

 

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Sectional

Bloomington Central Catholic scored 107 points to win the sectional team title ahead of Clifton Central (98 points). Central Catholic’s Ella Larson was a double qualifier winning the Long Jump (16-10) and the Triple Jump (35-4.50).

All-state performer Delanie Dykes of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley qualified again in the 800 Meter Run and 400 Meter Dash. Dykes ran 2:27.03 to win the 800 Meter Run and 1:01.44 to win the 400 Meter Dash just ahead of Milford’s Alexis Puetz (1:01.46) and Central Catholic’s Megan Becker (1:01.55).

Windsor Roberts of Tri-County tuned up for state by clearing 12-6 to win the Pole Vault ahead of teammate Natalie Johnson (10-0).

 

Knoxville Sectional

Host Knoxville scored 102 points to win their own sectional. Breena Shreeves led Knoxville as they ran 9:55.49 to win the 3200 Meter Relay. Shreeves came back to finish second in the 800 Meter Run (2:21.04) behind Bushnell Prairie City’s Maleigha Huston and her 2:21.04 winning time. Huston also ran 1:01.22 to win the 400 Meter Dash.

Abingdon-Avon’s Emma Ginther won three individual events in this meet. Ginther jumped 16-10.50 to win the Long Jump, ran 13.00 to win the 100 Meter Dash, and ran 26.80 to win the 200 Meter Dash. Ginther also qualified in the Triple Jump.

 

Moweaqua Central A&M Sectional

Decatur St. Teresa scored 106 points to win the sectional team title. It was Kenli Nettles of Arthur-Lovington that everyone was talking about as the junior won four individual events in impressive fashion.

Nettles and St. Teresa’s DaeLin Switzer renewed their rivalry in this sectional. Nettles started by clearing 5-6 to win the High Jump with Switzer finishing second (5-2). Nettles then went to the track where she won three individual events. Nettles ran 14.56 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles with Switzer finishing second (14.91). Nettles then ran one of the fastest times in the state (44.08) to win the 300 Meter Hurdles with Switzer again finishing second (44.50). The two athletes finished 1-2 in the 200 Meter Dash with Nettles (25.98) again ahead of Switzer (26.04).

Shelbyville’s Ailey Mitchell qualified in two events. Mitchell ran 11:24.12 to win the 3200 Meter Run by more than a minute. Mitchell came back to run 5:29.94 to win the 1600 Meter Run with teammate Gabrielle Spain finishing second (5:42.17). Spain earlier in the meet won the 800 Meter Run (2:26.08).

 

Newton Sectional

Teutopolis scored 111 points to win this sectional qualifying seven individuals and three relays to next week’s state meet. Teutopolis’ Claire Bushur had a 39-10.25 put to win the Shot Put and a 118-3 throw to win the Discus.

Faith Frye of Casey Westfield won three events. Frye jumped 16-4.75 to win the Long Jump, ran 12.85 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of Newton’s Brooklyn Herman (12.97), and finished her day by running 26.08 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

WEDNESDAY May 8

Fairfield Sectional

DuQuoin displayed in this meet they could be one of the Class 1A teams that could be going after a trophy next week in Charleston. The Lady Indians advanced 14 individuals and all 4 relays to next week’s state meet in winning the sectional team title with 167 points. Nashville was the closest team to DuQuoin as they scored 118.5 points to finish second.

Gabby Algoni will play a big part in DuQuoin’s success next week. The junior won two individual events and helped her team with two relay wins. Algoni ran 2:21.03 to win the 800 Meter Run ahead of teammate and sister Grace (2:29.36). Algoni came back to run 59.06 to win the 400 Meter Dash again ahead of another teammate Olivia Phillips (1:00.55). Algoni was also a part of her team’s quartet that ran 10:03.54 to win the 3200 Meter Relay and ran on her team’s quartet that ran 4:07.59 to win the 1600 Meter Relay.

Madison Davis is another DuQuoin athlete to watch next week. Davis ran one of the fastest 1A times in the state this spring as she ran 12.14 to win the 100 Meter Dash. Davis came back to run 25.58 to win the 200 Meter Dash by more than a second. Davis was also a part of DuQuoin’s winning squad in the 400 Meter Relay (50.11) and their second-place team in the 800 Meter Relay (1:46.45) that was just seven hundredths of a second behind Nashville (1:46.38).

Jaylnn Wood of DuQuoin won three events for her team. The freshman ran 14.98 to just edge her teammate Bailey Harsy (15.00) to win the 100 Meter Hurdles. Wood came back to run 47.05 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles. Wood also cleared 10-0 to win the Pole Vault.

 

Rushville-Industry Sectional

Liberty edged Pleasant Plains by four points to win the sectional team title scoring 100 points. It was the first sectional title for Liberty in their program’s history. Liberty advanced six individuals and three relays to next week’s 1A prelims in Charleston.

Liberty’s Paige Knuffman led her team qualifying in two individual events. Knuffman jumped 17-4 to win the Long Jump. The junior finished second in the Triple Jump (34-2.75) behind the 35-4.50 winning jump from Athens’ Caroline Lendy.

Caroline Jachino of Pleasant Plains was a double winner in two distance events. Jachino ran 11:33.20 to win the 3200 Meter Run with Liberty’s Katelyn Robbins a close second (11:35.30). Jachino pulled away to run 5:27.07 to win the 1600 Meter Run ahead of Lexy Henrikson of Williamsville (5:32.31). Robbins finished third (5:33.70) but missed qualifying for the state meet in this event. Henrikson also qualified for a trip to Charleston in winning the 800 Meter Run (2:24.91) ahead of teammate Katherine Walker.

Liberty looked good in winning the 400 Meter Relay (50.85) ahead of Camp Point Central (51.43). Liberty repeated in winning the 800 Meter Relay (1:49.34) with Camp Point Central again finishing second (1:49.97). Pleasant Plains had the finial say in this meet as they ran 4:19.47 to win the 1600 Meter Relay ahead of Liberty (4:21.37).

Rushville-Industry’s Ellie Lamb was a double winner with a 41-7 effort to win the Shot Put and a 115-7 throw to win the Discus.

 

Sparta Sectional

Belleville Althoff Catholic was in control in winning this sectional with an overwhelming 148 points. Sparta and Trenton-Wesclin tied for second each scoring 65 points.

One athlete to keep an eye on that qualified out of this sectional is Althoff Catholic’s Nariah Parks who qualified in three individual events winning two of them. The sophomore finished second in the 100 Meter Dash (12.85) as Madison’s Janiya Collins ran 12.71 for the win. Parks got her revenge in the 200 Meter Dash. She ran 26.05 to win the title just edging Collins by two hundredths of a second (26.07). Parks won the 400 Meter Dash comfortably (58.55) ahead of teammate Anna Harla (1:01.67).

Collins was a part of Madison’s winning 800 Meter Relay team that ran 1:49.67 with Sparta a close second (1:49.92).