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2019 IHSA Girls State Track & Field Championships - Class 1A PreviewPublished by
By Michael Newman
For one more time, it will be Kenli Nettles of Arthur-Lovington vs. DaeLin Switzer of Decatur St. Teresa. It seems that these two athletes have been competing against each other in every state meet. This is the third time that these two multi-event athletes will face off. Nettles may have the advantage this weekend in Charleston. The junior won all four events last week at the Moweaqua Central A&M Sectional Meet with Switzer finishing second in all four of those events. The significance of this challenge between these two super athletes transfers in the battle for a team championship. DuQuoin, Chicago Latin School, and Rock Island Alleman are three of the teams to keep an eye on. Arthur-Lovington’s only qualifier is Nettles, but she could win the team title for the, St. Teresa, with Switzer, will also be in the hunt. They finished third last year. All of these team will try to unseat defending Class 1A State Meet champion St. Joseph-Ogden who also has the pieces in their lineup to win. Who will win double events in this classification? Could it be the Latin School distance duo of Marianne Mihas and Ava Parekh? Could Madison Davis of DuQuoin be the next Class 1A sprint queen? How far does indoor national champion Chloe Lindeman go in the Shot Put? Here is a look at each of the 18 events that will be contested this weekend in Charleston. Class 1A athletes will go through their preliminary session Thursday morning with the finals beginning on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
1A SECTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS | CLASS 1A STATE FINAL QUALIFIERS CLASS 2A PREVIEW | CLASS 3A PREVIEW | STATE MEET TIME SCHEDULE (*) = defending champion
FIELD EVENTS
LONG JUMP IHSA State Meet Record 20’ 9” - Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2005 2019 State Best 19’ 10.50 – Raelyn Roberson (JR), Glenbrook South 2019 Class 1A Best 19’ 5” – Kamryn Kolb (SO), Manlius Bureau Valley 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 17’ 11.50” – Jaden Christian (JR), Braidwood Reed-Custer 2018 1A State Meet Champion 18’ 2” - *Atleigh Hamilton, St. Joseph Preview – This will be a wide-open event just like last year when Atleigh Hamilton was a surprise winner as a freshman. Hamilton did make the field in this event and will be an athlete to keep an eye on. Nine athletes went past 17-feet in sectional meets with Jaden Christian the longest. Only Kamryn Kolb and Dakota Krone of Pinckneyville have jumped further. Kolb’s 19-5 monster leap (wind-aided) at small meet at LaSalle-Peru in April was an eye-popper. The sophomore also has a 18-3.50 jump at Eureka three weeks ago. She could get that big jump in early putting the pressure on everyone else. Capria Brown of Danville Schlarman and Mara Bruno of Seneca achieved their seasonal bests last week at sectionals and will be factors in this event. Faith Frye of Casey-Westfield has the 17-plus jumps in her resume and could be a surprise. Paige Knuffman of Liberty, Megan Williams of Newark, and Carly Konneck of Bureau Valley are some of the other athletes in the field to watch for.
TRIPLE JUMP IHSA State Meet Record 42’ 8.50” - Jaimie Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor - 2017 2019 State Best 40’ 3.50” – Riley Ammenhauser (SO), Neuqua Valley 2019 Class 1A Best 37’ 4.50” – Dakota Krone (JR), Pinckneyville 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 36’ 1.25” – Danielle Taets (SR), Orion 2018 1A State Meet Champion 38’ 0” – *Danielle Taets, Orion Preview – Three athletes have gone past 37-feet in this event this season with defending champion Danielle Taets one of the three. She has the big meet experience to lean on when the pressure grows. That showed last year when she soared 38-0 to win the same title. All eyes will be on the Orion senior when she steps onto the runway. Dakota Krone has gone past 37-feet twice this season and will be an athlete to keep an eye on to challenge Taets. Jade Aber of Bureau Valley jumped 37-0 in April at LaSalle-Peru, but only has two jumps 35-feet since that meet including her 35-5.50 jump at the Erie Sectional. She still someone to watch for. Autumn Switzer of Wilmington has the second longest sectional mark (36-0.50) and will challenge for the win. Daekota Knott of Fulton, Caroline Lendy of Athens, Grace Alley of Seneca, and Jaden Christian of Reed-Custer all have gone past 36-feet this season and will challenge for a top spot on the podium.
HIGH JUMP IHSA State Meet Record 6’ 0” - Jelena Rowe, Bloom Township - 2017 2019 State Best 5’ 10” – Grace Daun SR), Wauconda 2019 Class 1A Best 5’ 8” – Kiah O’Neal (SR), Rock Island Alleman 5’ 8” – Gabbi Loiz (SR), Rock Island Alleman 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 5’ 6” – Kenli Nettles (JR), Arthur Lovington 5’ 6” – Kiah O’Neal (SR), Rock Island Alleman 2018 1A State Meet Champion 5’ 8” - *DaeLin Switzer, Decatur St. Teresa Preview – This could be one of the must-see field events in the entire meet this weekend. DaeLin Switzer is the three-time Class 1A state champion in this event and would like to go for the sweep in her final meet at Charleston. Kenli Nettles has Switzer’s number having finished ahead of her last week in the sectional meet and indoors at Illinois Top Times. Nettles is the hot jumper right now. We just can’t discount Switzer in this event. She has been her before and knows what state meet pressure is like. So does Nettles. Kiah O’Neal has the top Class 1A mark this season clearing 5-8. She cleared 5-6 last week at the Erie Sectional and will be a factor in this competition. O’Neal finished third in last year’s state meet. Three other athletes have cleared 5-5 this season including Gabbi Loiz, Deidre Lorton of Bushnell-Prairie City, and Brooke Probst of Indian Creek. One of these three could be surprises in this meet. Abigail Weaver of Riverdale cleared 5-4 last week at Erie and could go higher this weekend.
POLE VAULT IHSA State Meet Record 13’ 4” – Lindsey Murray, Harrisburg - 2014 2019 State Best 13’ 0” – Windsor Roberts (SO), Downs Tri-Valley 2019 Class 1A Best 13’ 0” – Windsor Roberts (SO), Downs Tri Valley 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 12’ 6” – Windsor Roberts (SO), Downs Tri Valley 2018 1A State Meet Champion 12’ 0” – *Windsor Roberts, Downs Tri-Valley Preview – It will be the defending state champion Windsor Roberts that everyone will be watching in this event. The sophomore is having a great season having cleared 12-0 or higher six times during the outdoor campaign. She is a foot ahead of the competition and could surpass her 13-0 best in this meet. Tori Thomas of Rock Island Alleman has cleared 12-0 and Sarah Litchfield of Farmington have cleared 11-6. They are the only athletes to go past 11-0 outdoors. Sarah Craig of Danville Schlarman, Gabrielle Spain of Shelbyville, and Brooklyn Giertz of Seneca have gone past that 11-foot mark and would like to go higher on Saturday. Winnebago’s Grace Baldwin cleared 10-9 last week in her sectional meet and could be a surprise in this field.
SHOT PUT IHSA State Meet Record 51’ 0” – Kathleen Young, Warrensburg-Latham, 2016 2019 State Best 47’ 10” – Chloe Lindeman (SR), Fulton 2019 Class 1A Best 47-10” – Chloe Lindeman (SR), Fulton 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 45’ 4.25” -Chloe Lindeman (SR), Fulton 2018 1A State Meet Champion 47’ 3.75” - *Chloe Lindeman, Fulton Preview – Chloe Lindeman is a good bet to defend her state championship in this event. It has been a great season for the Fulton senior starting with winning at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in March. Lindeman has the best sectional mark heading into this meet by more than two feet. Her 47-10 outdoor best is currently ranked fourth nationally. None of the other athletes in this field are within four feet of her. Katelyn Young of Fithian Oakwood had a 42-10 put last week at St. Joseph-Ogden and will be one of the athletes to challenge for a top three finish. Claire Bushur of Teutopolis is the only other athlete past 42-feet and will be one athlete to be watched. Ellie Lamb of Rushville-Industry, and Saige Barnett have marks past 40-feet and could challenge for a finish in the top three.
DISCUS IHSA State Meet Record 167’ 4” – Kelsey Card, Carlinville - 2010 2019 State Best 141’ 9” – Catie Daily (SR) , Machesney Park Harlem 2019 Class 1A Best 136’ 1” – Claire Bushur (JR), Teutopolis 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 132’ 7” – Hope Jackson (JR), Port Byron Riverdale 2018 1A State Meet Champion 151’ 8” – Emily Offenheiser, Stockton Preview – Hope Jackson leads this wide-open field with a 132-7 sectional best. Claire Bushur has the Class 1A seasonal best and has two throws past 130-feet in 2019. The big mystery in this event could be New Berlin’s Macy Byer who had a 131-9 best heading into sectional competition. She threw only 110-10 in her sectional to finish second. She followed that up with a 133-7 best at the Capitol Area Classic on Monday. There are six other athletes this season that have gone past 125-0 this year with Madison Keegan of Putnam County, Ellie Canaday of Auburn, Ali Van DeHeede of Rock Alleman, Noelle DeJaynes of Decatur St. Teresa, Jayden Standish of Ridgeview, and Ellie Lamb of Rushville-Industry part of that group.
TRACK EVENTS
4x800 METER RELAY IHSA State Meet Record 8:59.03 – Wheaton-Warrenville South - 2012 2019 State Best 9:17.63 – Mt. Prospect-Prospect 2019 Class 1A Best 9:43.00 – DuQuoin 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 9:55.49 - Knoxville 2018 1A State Meet Champion 9:44.07 – Tremont Preview – Two teams went under 10-minutes in sectional meets with Knoxville leading the way. Breena Shreeves leads Knoxville that are capable of running under 9:48 in the finals. Latin School ran 9:57.60 in winning their sectional and did that without all-state runners Marianne Mihas or Ava Parekh part of their quartet. The Romans could run under 9:50 but putting Mihas in there could stamp a win for them. DuQuoin could be the favorite as they have run 9:43.00 at the Collinsville Invitational at the end of April. Gabby Alongi will be busy this weekend in four events. She could lead the Lady Indians to a win in the event. Three other schools ran under 10:10 in sectional meets including Harvest Christian Academy, Rockford Christian, and Elmwood-Brimfield. Keep an eye on those teams in the front. Never count out St. Joseph-Ogden in this race. They could be a factor in who wins. Teutopolis, Francis W Parker, and Pleasant Plains could find their way into the top five.
4x100 METER RELAY IHSA State Meet Record 46.04 – Lincoln-Way East - 2014 2019 State Best 47.07 – Homewood-Flossmoor 2019 Class 1A Best 50.11 – DuQuoin 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 50.11 - DuQuoin 2018 1A State Meet Champion 49.78 – Manlius Bureau Valley Preview – The championship race on Saturday should come down to the anchor runners. It will be fun to see Kamryn Kolb of Bureau Valley against Madison Davis of DuQuoin in front of a roaring O’Brien Field crowd. DuQuoin comes in with the fastest 1A state and sectional time. Defending champion Bureau Valley is close behind. St. Joseph-Ogden, with Atleigh Hamilton and Maclayne Taylor on their quartet, will push for the win. There are 12 teams under 51-seconds entering this state meet. Fulton , Nashville, Byron, Trenton-Wesclin, and Liberty are some of the teams that could get into the top five dipping under 50-seconds.
3200 METER RUN IHSA State Meet Record 9:56.96 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock - 2011 2019 State Best 9:59.57 – Katelynne Hart (JR), Glenbard West 2019 Class 1A Best 10:27.35 – Ava Parekh (FR), Chicago Latin School 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 10:27.35 – Ava Parekh (FR), Chicago Latin School 2018 1A State Meet Champion 11:29.06 – Laura Krasa, Judah Christian Preview – It is hard to imagine anyone but Ava Parekh winning this race. The Latin School freshman ran 10:39 at Arcadia in April, then slammed a 10:27.35 in her sectional race to win by more than a minute. She has the fastest 1A time by 30 seconds. Ailey Mitchell of Shelbyville ran 10:57.66 at Distance Night in Palatine and leads the rest of the field. Caroline Jachino of Pleasant Plains and Katelyn Robbins of Liberty could be close to Mitchell. Freshmen Julia Wolke of Christian Liberty Academy and Carly Manchester of IC Catholic Prep would not be surprises finishing in the top five. Hailey Janssen of Beecher, Alexandria Cajigal of Rock Island Alleman, Karlie Hey of Sterling Newman Catholic, and Audrey Jenkins of Seneca are some of the other athletes to keep an eye on in this event.
100 METER HURDLES IHSA State Meet Record 13.54 – Dawn Harper, East St. Louis-Senior – 2001 2019 State Best 13.96 – Kaylah McCall (JR), Homewood-Flossmoor 2019 Class 1A Best 14.53 – Kenli Nettles (JR) , Arthur-Lovington 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 14.56 – Kenli Nettles (JR), Arthur-Lovington 2018 1A State Meet Champion 14.72 - *Danielle Taets, Orion Preview – Kenli Nettles could be the class of this field having run under 14.6 three times this season. No one else in this event is within two tenths of a second of her. Chloe Meyer of Macon Meridian, DaeLin Switzer of Decatur St. Teresa, and Jalynn Wood of DuQuoin have times under 15-seconds. They could be the chief competition for Nettles. Defending champion Danielle Taets has only run 15.34 entering the state prelims. She was in this position last year having only a 15.26 best heading to Charleston. Don’t be surprised if she is challenging for the win again. Gracie Jessup of Salt Fork, Bailey Harsy of DuQuoin, Lauren Friess of Johnston City, and Megan Williams of Newark are some of the runners that you could see making Saturday’s finals.
100 METER DASH IHSA State Meet Record 11.41 – Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2004 11.41 – Morolake Akinosun, Waubonsie Valley – 2012 2019 State Best 11.74 – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast 2019 Class 1A Best 12.14 – Madison Davis (SR), DuQuoin 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 12.14 – Madison Davis (SR), DuQuoin 2018 1A State Meet Champion 12.21 - Seven Hicks, Peoria Heights (now attends Peoria Richwoods) Preview – Madison Davis only had a 12.79 best heading into the Fairfield Sectional. She ran a 12.14 personal best and could be one of the favorites in what could be a wide-open event. Halle Rueter of Nashville and Ayanna Dunklin of DuQuoin are two freshmen that ran under 12.4 last week and could push for the win. Alyssa Busker of Aurora Christian has come on strong the past few weeks and could be a factor in this race. Olivia Sturrup of Milledgeville, Tyrah Taylor of Hope Academy, Nariah Parks of Belleville Althoff Catholic, Janiya Collins of Madison, and Shianne Dejear of Christopher are some of the athletes that could push for the win.
800 METER RUN IHSA State Meet Record 2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton, Rockton Hononegah – 2013 2019 State Best 2:10.81 – Katelynne Hart, Glenbard West 2019 Class 1A Best 2:13.91 – Marianne Mihas (SO), Chicago Latin School 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 2:17.40 – Marianne Mihas (SO), Chicago Latin School 2018 1A State Meet Champion 2:11.02 – Arielle Summitt, Urbana University Preview – It has been on the mind of Marianne Mihas of what happened in last year’s preliminary heat in this event when she hit the rail and fell with 200-meters in the race. Mihas failed to advance to the finals because of that. She comes into this meet with the favorites role and embracing that. Mihas’ best of 2:13.91 is over three seconds ahead of the rest of the field and is an almost lock to win this race. Gaby Alongi of Knoxville ran 2:17.14 at Collinsville in April and be the closest to Mihas in the Saturday finals. There are five other runners that are within half a second of each other all in the 2:20 range led by Knoxville’s Breena Shreeves. Delanie Dykes of Gibson-City-Melvin-Sibley, Lexy Henrikson of Williamsville, Kennedy Calcagno of IC Catholic Prep, and Maleigha Huston of Bushnell-Prairie City all are in that pack with good shots of finishing in the top three. Zarra Humphrey of Warsaw and Katie Springer of Delavan are two athletes that you could see under 2:20 and challenging for a finish in the top five.
4X200 METER RELAY IHSA State Meet Record 1:38:86 – Lincoln-Way East - 2013 2019 State Best 1:40.82 – Homewood-Flossmoor 2019 Class 1A Best 1:46.38 – Nashville 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 1:46.38 - Nashville 2018 1A State Meet Champion 1:43.89 – St. Joseph-Ogden Preview – Three teams have times under 1:47 including defending state champion St. Joseph-Ogden who ran 1:46.91 in winning their own sectional. Nashville and DuQuoin challenged each other at the Fairfield Sectional with Nashville winning by less than a tenth of a second. Bureau Valley and Milledgeville pushed each other at the Erie Sectional and have the talent to push for the win. Rock Island Alleman ran 1:47.38 in their conference meet and could also challenge for the front. Byron, Warrensburg-Latham, and Seneca are some of the teams to watch for in the finals.
400 METER DASH IHSA State Meet Record 52.63 – Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2005 2019 State Best 55.23 – Dajour Miles (SR), West Aurora 2019 Class 1A Best 58.40 – Nariah Parks (SO), Belleville Althoff Catholic 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 58.55 – Nariah Parks (SO), Belleville Althoff Catholic 2018 1A State Meet Champion 57.04 – Carmen DeVries, Lena-Winslow Preview – Nariah Parks finished second in this event in last year’s state meet. The sophomore comes into this weekend as the favorite in the event running under 59-seconds six times. No other runner in Class 1A has gone under 59-seconds. We could see her dip into the 57’s in the finals. Gabi Alongi of DuQuoin and Delanie Dykes of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley both have times in the 59 second range. They will both be racing in the 800 Meter Run and will have a short recovery time but could still be among the leaders. Rory Drew of Carlinville has a personal best of 59.21 and could be in the front in this race. Olivia Phillips of DuQuoin and Sierra Bryant of Bismarck-Henning could also be among the leaders. Morgan Mette of Teutopolis has run 60 seconds and could dip under the minute mark. She could be a factor in who wins this event.
300 METER HURDLES IHSA State Meet Record 40.61 – Shalina Clarke, Evanston Township – 2005 2019 State Best 43.13 – Lauren Ferguson, Springfield 2019 Class 1A Best 44.08 – Kenli Nettles (JR), Arthur-Lovington 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 44.08 – Kenli Nettles (JR), Arthur-Lovington 2018 1A State Meet Champion 44.49 – *DaeLin Switzer, Decatur St. Teresa Preview – This could be one of the classic state final races of the meet. Kenli Nettles and DaeLin Switzer pushed each other to times under 45-seconds at the Moweaqua Central A&M Sectional with Nettles running the fourth fastest time in the state. Switzer is the defending champion and will not let it go peacefully. The two athletes could push each other to times in the 43 second range. Nettles and Switzer are the class of this event with no other athlete within two seconds of each other. Claire Wilhour of Brownstown, Katie Springer of Delavan, Kristina Hilmes of Trenton-Wesclin, and Hannah Jones of Knoxville could all be under 46-seconds in this race. Freshmen Jalynn Wood of DuQuoin and Megan Williams of Newark could also make their presence known in their first state competitions.
1600 METER RUN IHSA State Meet Record 4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock – 2011 2019 State Best 4:45.33 – Katelynne Hart (JR), Glenbard West 2019 Class 1A Best 4:53.75 – Ava Parekh (FR), Chicago Latin School 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 5:04.81 – Ava Parekh (FR), Chicago Latin School 2018 1A State Meet Champion 4:56.29 - *Marianne Mihas, Chicago Latin School Preview – Could we see a 1-2 finish from Marianne Mihas and Ava Parekh in this race? The chances are good with Parekh running 4:53.75 and Mihas running 5:03.40 in April at Distance Night in Palatine. Mihas is the defending champion. Both runners will be coming back from earlier races in the meet. The closest competition for the two Latin School athletes will come from St. Thomas More’s Fran Hendrickson who will only be running this race this weekend. Hendrickson has a 5:10.63 personal best also at the race in Palatine. It could be an interesting race considering this will be the only race for the STM senior. Parekh ran 5:04 in her sectional race after running 10:27 earlier in that meet. The majority of the field will be doubling back from earlier distance races. Ailey Mitchell of Shelbyville, Natalia Martino of Winnebago, Hailey Janssen of Beecher, and Lexy Henrikson could all challenge for a top five spot. IC Catholic Prep freshmen Kennedy Calcagno and Carly Manchester will both be coming back from earlier races. They could be surprises in this race. Caroline Jachino of Pleasant Plains, Katie Erb of Winnebago, and Julia Wolke of Liberty Christian Academy are also some of the other runners to watch for.
200 METER DASH IHSA State Meet Record 23.32 – Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2005 2019 State Best 24.10 – Ameia Wilson (SR), Danville 2019 Class 1A Best 25.52 – Olivia Sturrup (JR), Milledgeville 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 25.68 – Madison Davis (SR), DuQuoin 2018 State Meet Champion 25.50 – Seven Hicks, Peoria Heights (now attends Peoria Richwoods) Preview – Seven runners in this field have seasonal bests under 26-seconds. Four of those runners ran under that time in sectional meets led by Madison Davis who popped onto the radar with a 25.68 best. Olivia Sturrup enters the event with the Class 1A best time of 25.52. Kenli Nettles of Arthur-Lovington has a 25.58 seasonal best and the second fastest 1A time. She could be going after her fourth state championship in this race if everything works out for her earlier in the meet. Alyssa Busker of Aurora Christian, Faith Wyman of Trenton-Wesclin, Nariah Parks of Belleville Althoff Catholic, and Mara Bruno of Seneca all have times under 26 seconds and could be among the leaders. DaeLin Switzer of Decatur St. Teresa ran 26.02 in her conference race. Switzer will always be a factor in a race that she is entered in.
4x400 METER RELAY IHSA State Meet Record 3:45.14 (CMT) – East St. Louis-Lincoln – 1984 2019 State Best 3:50.54 – East St. Louis-Senior 2019 Class 1A Best 4:03.93 – DuQuoin 2019 Class 1A Sectional Best 4:07.59 – DuQuoin 2018 1A State Meet Champion 4:02.92 – Farmington Preview – DuQuoin has the fastest 1A time in 4:03.93 but that was with Madison Davis on their quartet. It is most likely that she will be in the 4x1 and the 4x2. DuQuoin still has the top sectional time (4:07.59) with Rockridge the only other team under 4:10. This could be a wide-open event with any number of teams having the talent to win a state championship. El Paso-Gridley, St. Joseph-Ogden, Harvest Christian Academy, Amboy, and Warrensburg-Latham all have times under 4:13. Teutopolis and Byron could also be in the chase for the win in this relay.
TEAMS St. Joseph-Ogden used their strength in the relays to capture the 2018 1A state title. The same type of formula could help the Lady Spartans again this weekend. There are several teams that have the numbers that could combat that strategy including DuQuoin, Chicago Latin School, and Rock Island Alleman. Then there is Arthur-Lovington’s Kenli Nettles who is the only qualifier for her school. She did qualify in four events and could win them all putting in “team trophy” contention. Here is a look at 10 of the Class 1A teams to keep an eye on beginning Thursday.
DuQuoin 1st – Fairfield Sectional Qualifiers – 18 Total (14 Individuals, 4 Relays) Overview – Two athletes could push the Lady Indians to a state title this weekend. Madison Davis has the top sectional times in the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash and will be the favorite in both events. Gabby Alongi will get her team big points in both the 800 Meter Run and the 400 Meter Dash. Their worth will go deeper especially in the four relays that DuQuoin qualified in. DuQuoin has the fastest 3200 Meter Relay time in Class 1A this year by 12 seconds. Their 1600 Meter Relay team ran 4:03.93 at the end of April but that had both Davis and Alongi in there. Davis most likely will be in the sprint relays where DuQuoin again could get some big points. Jaylnn Wood and Bailey Harsy could be part of the relays. They should also get their team points in the 100 Meter Hurdles. Wood could also score in the 300 Meter Hurdles. Ayanna Dunklin will be a part of the relays and could score points in the 100 Meter Dash. DuQuoin could take home their first state trophy on Saturday. They need to have a clean prelim day on Thursday first.
Chicago Latin School 1st – Chicago Latin Sectional Qualifiers – 12 Total (10 Individuals, 2 Relays) Overview – It could be the Romans that take home the top prize in this classification based on their strength in the distance events from Ava Parekh and Marianne Mihas. Parekh had a big sectional meet running the third fastest time in the STATE in the 3200 Meter Run and has the fastest 1A time by close to 30 seconds. The freshman also had the top sectional time in the 1600 Meter Run and will be one of the favorites in that event. Mihas is the defending 1A state champion in the 1600 Meter Run and will be in the front with Parekh. The sophomore also has the fastest time for the 800 Meter Run and will be the favorite in that event. All in all, the two runners could get their team 38 points in those three events. They will need help in other events to get them to the top of the mountain. Their 3200 Meter Relay, without Mihas and Parekh, still had the second fastest sectional time in that event. If Mihas is inserted into that lineup, who knows what could happen? The two distance aces were part of their team’s 1600 Meter Relay team that could score points.
Rock Island Alleman 1st – Erie Sectional Qualifiers – 16 Total (13 Individuals, 3 Relays) Overview – The strength of the Pioneers will be in the field events where 9 of the 13 individual qualifiers are in those six disciplines. Tori Thomas will be one of the favorites in the Pole Vault. She could also score points in the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. Kiah O’Neal will be among the top athletes in the High Jump. She could get big points in that event along with teammate Gabbi Loiz. Ali Van DeHeede could earn all-state honors in both the Shot Put and the Discus. It would be a bonus if Annie Rafferty makes the finals in either the Long Jump or Triple Jump. Alleman has a good chance to pick up points in the 800 Meter Relay. Making the finals in the 3200 Meter Relay and the 400 Meter Relay would be a bonus. Alexandra Cajigal could score points in the 3200 Meter Run. Cajigal making the finals in the 1600 Meter Run could give her team a big boost. The Pioneers have the numbers to get on the podium at the end of the meet on Saturday. There just can’t be any mistakes in events that they expect to make it to the finals in Thursday’s prelims.
Arthur-Lovington 5th – Moweaqua Central A&M Sectional Qualifiers – 4 Total (4 Individuals, 0 Relays) Overview – In most years, 40 points could get a squad into the top three in the 1A state meet. With some power teams that could surpass that number, it could be tough to get a trophy. Arthur-Lovington consists only of Kenli Nettles in the state meet. Nettles will be one of the favorites in the High Jump, 100 Meter Hurdles, 300 Meter Hurdles, and 200 Meter Dash and could win all four events. She scored 26 points to finish eighth in last year’s meet. That point total could be greater this weekend.
Decatur St. Teresa 1st – Moweaqua Central A&M Sectional Qualifiers – 8 Total (7 Individuals, 1 Relay) Overview – The Bulldogs just made it on to the podium with a third-place finish based on the strength of DaeLin Switzer’s performances on Saturday. She will be one of two athletes that could push St. Teresa into the top three teams. Switzer is the defending champion in the High Jump and will be one of the favorites in that event. The senior will be one of the favorites in both of the hurdle races. She could also score points in the 200 Meter Dash. Noelle DeJaynes qualified in both weight events. She could pick up points in both events.
St. Joseph-Ogden 1st – St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional Qualifiers – 11 Total (7 Individuals, 4 Relays) Overview – The Lady Spartans will have their work cut out to bring back a trophy to their school. But we said the same thing last year and they ended up the Class 1A State Champions. Their relay squads should provide them big points in the 400 Meter Relay and 800 Meter Relay. Their 1600 Meter Relay could be among the nine finalists after Thursday’s prelims. They may have the slowest of all the 3200 Meter Relay Sectional times. The Lady Spartans do have one of the top 10 seasonal times. I would keep an eye on them in this event. Atleigh Hamilton is the defending champion in the Long Jump. She will be among the favorites and will be a part of three of the team’s relays. Maclayne Taylor will boost the relays. She could also score points in both the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. Cassidy Bagby may be in the first section of the 3200 Meter Run, but she could score points from that race.
Seneca 1st – Seneca Sectional Qualifiers – 15 Total (12 Individuals, 3 Relays) Overview – The Irish could be one of the teams to keep an eye on finishing in the top five with a chance to get a trophy. Mara Bruno could be the big point earner for this team. She has one of the top sectional performances in the Long Jump, 100 Meter Dash, and 200 Meter Dash and could score big in all three events. Brooklyn Giertz could get points in the Pole Vault. Seneca’s 800 Meter Relay, which has one of the top times in the sectional, could be one of the favorites in the event. Audrey Jenkins could be one of the top nine finishers in the 3200 Meter Run. It would be a bonus if she makes the finals in the 1600 Meter Run.
Manlius Bureau Valley 2nd – Erie Sectional Qualifiers – 9 Total (6 Individuals, 3 Relays) Overview – Bureau Valley finished fourth last year just missing a trophy by one point. Kamryn Kolb is the cog to this team’s machine. Their team won the 400 Meter Relay last year with Kolb as the anchor. Their 800 Meter Relay team won their sectional race and could be among the top teams this weekend. Kolb jumped over 19-feet (wind-aided) in the Long Jump during the season. She will be a factor this weekend in the event. Kolb could also get the team bonus points in the 200 Meter Dash. Saige Barnett could be among the top finishers in the Shot Put and Discus. It could be a bonus for Carly Konneck in the Long Jump and Jade Aber in the Triple Jump to get their team points.
Teutopolis 1st – Newton Sectional Qualifiers – 10 Total (7 Individuals, 3 Relays) Overview – The Lady Shoes will be among the teams to keep an eye on in the 1A meet this weekend. Claire Bushur will be one of top athletes in the Shot Put and could also score in the Discus. Micah McWhorter and Isabelle Hemmen could get their team points in the Pole Vault. Morgan Mettle is a possibility of making the finals in the 400 Meter Dash. Their 1600 Meter Relay has a good core back from last year’s sixth-place team. They will be a team to watch in the final race of the meet.
Liberty 1st – Rushville-Industry Sectional Qualifiers – 9 Total (6 Individuals, 3 Relays) Overview – The Eagles won their first sectional title last Wednesday. They could surprise some teams this coming weekend. Katelyn Robbins will end her high school career in the 3200 Meter Run. You can expect her to be one of the top runners in the event. Paige Knuffman will be one of the top athletes in the Long Jump. She could also get her team points in the Triple Jump. Liberty won sectional titles in the 400 Meter Relay and 800 Meter Relay. They could make finals in both of those events. They could also be a surprise in the 1600 Meter Relay.
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