2021 Illinois High School Track & Field Girls Conference Meet Highlights

 

 

By Michael Newman

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Here are highlights of some of the Girls Conference meets that took place across Illinois over the past two weeks.

 

Fox Valley Conference Girls – May 29

 

This meet moved to Saturday enjoyed almost perfect conditions. Burlington Central took home the team win (128 points) ahead of Huntley (99 points) and Prairie Ridge (73 points). Burlington Central was led by wins from Carolina Hintz in the Shot Put (34’ 7.25”) and 120’ 5” in the Discus. Brooke Barkocy also picked up wins in the 100 Meter Hurdles with a seasonal best of 14.83, and the 300 Hurdles also in a seasonal best of 45.48. Barkocy was also a part of her team’s quartet to run 4:09.85 to win the 4x400m Relay.

 

Rylee Lydon is having a great first season of track which should accelerate as she heads to the state meet. The Prairie Ridge sophomore won three individual events in this meet. She cleared 5’ 3.75” to win the High Jump, ran 59.33 to win the 400 Meter Dash, and ran a personal best of 25.04 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Alexandra Johnson of Huntley was a double winner with a 19’ 0” mark to win the Long Jump and running 12.54 to win the 100 Meter Dash. She was also a part of her team’s winning 4x100m Relay (50.32).

 

The distance events had some close finishes. Alyssa Moore of McHenry ran 2:22.33 to win the 800 Meter Run with Abby Machesky of Crystal Lake South a close second (2:22.45). Breanna Burak of Huntley ran 5:11.40 to win the 1600 Meter Run with Rachel Soukup of Prairie Ridge a close second (5:11.86).

 

West Suburban Conference Silver Division Girls – May 28

 

Dry weather greeted the field event athletes on Thursday for the first day of this two-day meet. Friday was the exact opposite as athletes braved through pouring rain, winds close to 20 mph, and temperatures in the mid-40’s. There was a weather delay after the 4x800m Relay. Downers Grove North excelled in this meet scoring in all 18 events winning the division title with 183 points. Host Glenbard West was second with 94 points. Oak Park-River Forest placed third with 89 points.

 

Josephine Welin of Oak Park-River Forest turned in one of the top performances in any meet this season considering how rotten the conditions at Glenbard West were. Welin ran a state leading FAT time of 10:23.98 to win the 3200 Meter Run by over 40 seconds. The York duo of Katherine Klimek (11:08.47) and Brianna Bennis (11:13.91) finished second and third. Welin came back to run 5:02.13 to in the 1600 Meter Run ahead of Kate Dickman of Lyons Township (5:05.96) and Audrey Allman of Glenbard West (5:10.69).

 

The 800 Meter Run was one of the most exciting races of the meet. Catie McCabe of Hinsdale Central won the race (2:19.21) with Carlin Hass of Glenbard West achieving a huge personal best in finishing second (2:19.79).

 

Downers Grove North’s Mia Bowers picked up wins in the 100 Meter Hurdles (17.31), the 300 Meter Hurdles (49.70), and the Pole Vault clearing 11’ 3”. Her teammate McKenna Cinotte also picked up wins in the Long Jump (18’ 7.25”), the Triple Jump (39’ 6.25”), and the 100 Meter Dash (12.96).

 

DuKane Conference Girls – May 28

 

Storms first delayed and then the meet was called on Friday evening. Due to scheduling conflicts between the eight conference teams, the meet was cancelled for 2021. The only event completed was in the Pole Vault. Mackenzie Benkers of Batavia cleared a personal best of 11’ 0” to claim the only conference title in this meet.

 

Mid-Suburban League Girls – May 28

 

Rain and weather delays could not stop this meet as it was complete just before 11 PM Friday night at Hoffman Estates. Prospect met pre-meet expectations by winning the team title with 162 points. Barrington (126.5 points) and Palatine (115.5 points) finished second and third. Prospect’s Audrey Ginsberg had a busy night winning two individual events as well as being on two of Prospect’s winning relays. The junior started her individual races by running 2:25.52 to win the 800 Meter Run with her sister Lily finishing second (2:27.00). Ginsberg came right back to run a personal best of 59.21 to win the 400 Meter Dash with Hoffman Estates’ Ashley Oliver second also with a personal best (59.44). Ginsberg was also a part of Prospect’s winning 4x800m Relay (9:55.14) and 4x400m Relay (4:13.90).

 

Darina Tersina was also busy for Prospect scoring in four individual events. Her lone win came when she ran 12.52 to win the 100 Meter Dash with Barrington’s Kathleen Baker finishing second (12.61). The order changed in the 200 Meter Dash as Baker achieved a personal best in her event win (25.79) with Tersina placing second (25.96). Tersina also finished fourth in the Long Jump behind event winner Kiera White of Fremd and her winning 17’ 2” jump. Tersina finished third in the Triple Jump. White also won that event jumping 35’ 4”.

 

Hersey’s Anna Harden also claimed two wins in this meet. The sophomore ran 11:16.83 to win the 3200 Meter Run with Prospect’s Hailey Erickson finishing second (11:27.76). Harden came back to run 5:10.92 to win the 1600 Meter Run with Cameron Kalaway of Prospect running 5:12.73 to finish second. Kylee Stammer of Palatine also picked up two wins in the Shot Put with a 37’ 2” personal best and another personal best of 132’ 8” in winning the Discus.

 

Central State Eight Conference Girls – May 28

 

This meet was moved back a day to this date due to inclement weather in the Springfield area. Normal University picked up the conference title (165 points) ahead of Chatham-Glenwood (153.5 points) and Springfield (129 points). Anna Barr led the Pioneer charge to the conference team title with three individual wins. Barr started by running 15.44 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles by almost a second. The sophomore then ran 12.70 to win the 100 Meter Dash with teammate Reese Mitchell a close second (12.77). Her third win came when she ran 26.25 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Sarah Byrd of Springfield was the queen of the ring in this meet winning both throwing events. Her 45’ 5” mark won the Shot Put by almost 13 feet. The senior came back to achieve a personal best of 107’ 9” to win the Discus.

 

Colleen Ziebert of Rochester won two races on her home track. Zeibert ran 2:19.61 to win the 800 Meter Run and 5:18.68 to win the 1600 Meter Run.

 

Central Suburban League North Girls – May 28

 

Vernon Hills won the Varsity team title with a convincing 196 points with Deerfield (133 points) and Highland Park (102 points) finishing second and third. Krysta Block of Maine West as the meet’s only double event winner as she ran 15.51 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles by more than two seconds. Block’s 48.87 time won the 300 Meter Hurdles by close to five seconds. Vernon Hills won three of the four relays in this meet. The Cougars ran 50.83 in winning the 4x100m Relay, 1:48.97 to win the 4x200m Relay by more than 10 seconds, and 4:26.3 to win the 4x400m Relay edging Deerfield by a tenth of a second for the top spot.

 

Southwest Prairie Conference Girls – May 28

 

Rain and high winds delayed this meet and hampered some of the performances. Oswego East had a commanding win with 115 points as West Aurora (97 points) and host Minooka ((93 points) finished second and third. Oswego East only had one event winner in this meet. Gabriella Vacek cleared 5’ 5” to win the High Jump.

 

Victoria Spagnola of West Aurora had a great meet with four wins. Spagnola jumped 17’ 1.5” to win the Long Jump. She ran a seasonal best of 14.47 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles by more than two seconds and then 46.92 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles by a three second margin. Spagnola was also a part of West Aurora’s quartet that ran 4:18.00 to win the 4x400m Relay.

 

The 4x800m Relay was great producing some top ten state times. Yorkville claimed the win in that race (9:40.97) ahead of Minooka (9:44.07) and Oswego East (9:44.37). Oswego picked up two distance wins starting with Audra Soderlind running 11:13.89 to win the 3200 Meter Run ahead of Yorkville’s Margaret Hunter (11:17.22). Ella Hale (2:25.03) edged teammate Rebecca Corbett (2:25.15) in winning the 800 Meter Run. Cassie Fuhrman of Minooka ran 5:19.61 to win the 1600 Meter Run by eight hundredths of a second ahead of Yorkville’s Anna Hunter (5:19.69).

 

Savannah Ming of West Aurora won the 100 Meter Dash (12.52) as well as the 200 Meter Dash ( 26.67). Arianna Burkes of Plainfield East ran 59.72 to win the 400 Meter Dash.

 

Mid Illini Conference Girls – May 28

 

Metamora edged Morton 140-137 to win the team conference title. Dunlap scored 118 points to finish third. Morton’s Lauren Doerr was the star of the meet at Canton winning four individual conference titles. Doerr jumped 15’11” to win the Long Jump, ran 12.62 to win the 100 Meter Dash, ran 1:01.31 to win the 400 Meter Dash edging Washington’s Stephanie Lewer who finished second (1:01.59), and 27.27 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division Girls – May 28

 

Rosary overwhelmed the rest of the competition in this meet scoring 236 points to win the team title. Aurora Central Catholic scored 82 points to finish second. Rosary went 1-2 in five out of the six field events. Maggie Dervis of Aurora Central Catholic swept the sprints running 13.06 to win the 100 Meter Dash, 59.34 to win the 400 Meter Dash, and 27.33 to win the 200 Meter Dash. Devers was also a part of ACC’s winning 4x100m Relay (53.53).

 

Lianna Surtz of Rosary tuned up for the state series running 5:18.96 to win the 1600 Meter Run. Surtz was also a part of her team’s winning 4x400m Relay (4:29.99).

 

Southwest Suburban Conference Blue Division Girls – May 27

 

Lincoln-Way East scored in all 18 scored events to win the conference title with 154 points. Defending conference champion Homewood-Flossmoor finished second with 109 points. Both teams put in good performances despite unseasonably cool temperatures hovering at 50 degrees.

 

Mariam Azeez had another standout meet for Lincoln-Way East winning one event and finishing second in two others. Azeez ran 12.29 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of Homewood-Flossmoor’s Alexandria Edison. It was close in the 200 Meter Dash as HF sophomore Ana-Liese Torian won the event (25.05) just six hundredths of a second ahead of Azeez. Torian had a great meet also winning the 100 Meter Hurdles (14.02) just three hundredths of a second off her personal best. She was also a part of Homewood’s winning 48.57 time in the 4x100m Relay. Lincoln-Way East ran 49.25 to finish second. Azeez jumped 17’ 5.50” to finish second in the Long Jump behind teammate Sophia Barnard (17’ 6”). Barnard finished second in both hurdle events as well as part of the Griffiths 4x100 Meter Relay team.

 

Katie Sciarini was also in four events winning the 300 Meter Hurdles (46.12) and finishing third in the 100 Meter Hurdles. She was also on the 4x100m Relay and 4x400m Relay that finished second (4:17.81) just behind race winner Lockport (4:17.12).

 

Kailey Bell led a 1-2-3 sweep for Lincoln-Way East in the Pole Vault. Bell and teammate Ali Van Dyke both cleared 11’ 5.75” in the event with Bell winning on fewer misses.

 

Caroline Schoen of Homewood-Flossmoor was a double winner in the distance races. She started by running 11:07.86 to win the 3200 Meter Run by over 25 seconds. Schoen followed that by running 5:16.39 to win the 1600 Meter Run two seconds ahead of Kate Guderjan of Lincoln-Way East (5:18.60). Guderjan helped her team in this meet also finishing second in the 3200 Meter Run and 800 Meter Run.

 

DuPage Valley Conference Girls – May 27

 

Naperville North again dominated the six team DuPage Valley Conference on Thursday scoring 184 points for the team championship. Naperville Central (126 points) and Neuqua Valley (123 points) finished second and third. Madeline Andelbradt led the Lady Huskies with three wins on the day. The junior cleared 5’ 1” in winning the High Jump and then running 48.85 to win the 300 Hurdles just ahead of teammate Michelle Oblazny (49.09). Andelbrandt ran on the quartet with Christina Gu, Audrey Mendrys, and Campbell Petersen that ran 4:08.57 to win the 4x400m Relay ahead of Naperville Central (4:12.60). North was also in control of the 4x800m Relay winning in 9:50.57 and 25 seconds ahead of second-place Naperville Central (10:15.93).

 

Central was in control of the two shorter relays. The Redhawks ran 50.74 to win the 4x100m Relay by just 18 hundredths of a second ahead of Waubonsie Valley (50.92). Naperville Central repeated the win in the 4x200m Relay (1:46.27) by more than a second ahead of Naperville North (1:47.69).

 

Naperville North, per usual, swept the three individual distance races. Maggie Gamboa ran under control in winning the 3200 Meter Run (10:58.20) with Maria Widmann of Neuqua Valley finishing second (11:20.64). Audrey Mendrys (2:23.67) and Marissa Magna (2:26.06) finished 1-2 in the 800 Meter Run. It was a 1-2 sweep in the 1600 Meter Run for the Lady Huskies as Campbell Petersen took the win (5:11.13) with Josie Bond placing second (5:18.24).

 

There were two double individual winners in this meet. Itzel Garcia of Waubonsie Valley ran 12.35 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of Naperville Central’s Abby Wood (12.77). Garcia came back to win the 200 Meter Dash (25.51) by a second ahead of Naperville North’s Ashley Kushner (26.51).

 

Riley Ammenhauser of Neuqua Valley once again swept the horizontal jumps in her final conference meet. The University of Michigan signee jumped 18’ 6.75” in winning the Long Jump. She came back to jump 38’ 6.25” in winning the Triple Jump.

 

Northern Lake County Conference Girls – May 27

 

Grayslake Central was in control of this meet held at Wauconda Thursday afternoon. The Rams scored 153 points to win the team title ahead of Grant Community (104 points) and Lakes Community (101 points). Grayslake Central’s Bella Domier has run like a seasoned veteran this track season instead of the freshman that she is. Domier put this meet on her resume with three individual wins. Domier pulled away in the final lap to run 11:33.53 to win the 3200 Meter Run with Grant’s Laura Bishop finishing second (11:37.80). Domier stepped down in distance first running 2:19.82 to win the 800 Meter Run with Lakes’ Brooke Stromsland placing second (2:21.70). The freshman came right back to run 1:00.64 in winning the 400 Meter Dash by three seconds.

 

Mia Morello helped Central’s winning cause also winning three events. She had a 16’ 6” best to win the Long Jump. Morello cleared 10’ 3” in winning the Pole Vault. Morello headed to the track where she ran 48.42 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles. Julia Reglewski captured two conference titles in the weight events. The senior had a 39’ 6.75” mark to win the Shot Put by over five feet. She came back with a 117’ 4” throw in winning the Discus.

 

Leialoha Akalaonu of Grayslake North was a meet double winner in the sprints. He junior ran 12.98 to win the 100 Meter Dash and later ran 26.97 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Central Suburban League South Girls – May 27

 

New Trier’s depth again was the key in this league divisional championship. The Lady Trevians won the team title with 237 points outdistancing Maine South (137 points) and Glenbrook South (121 points) who finished second and third. The Lady Trevians scored in every event. Vita Kovacevich ran 16.89 to win the 100 Hurdles and 50.23 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles. Her twin sister Emma finished second in both races.

 

Emma Braband ran a season’s best of 2:22.93 to win the 800 Meter Run six seconds ahead of teammate Clare Finnigan.

 

Sydney Willits of Glenbrook South won two individual events starting with a 17’ 9.75” effort to win the Long Jump. Her second win came when she ran 12.24 to win the 100 Meter Dash.

 

Central Illini Conference Girls – May 27

 

Shelbyville won the Conference title at Sullivan with 154.5 points. Tuscola (136 points) and Clinton (100.5 points) finished second and third. Tuscola’s Alyssa Williams is one of the top athletes this season in Class 1A and proved that in this meet winning three individual events. The junior jumped 17’ 1” to win the Long Jump. Williams then headed to the track where she ran 12.52 to win the 100 Meter Dash and 26.81 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Shelbyville was led by the double win from Ellie Nohren in the 800 Meter Run (2:35.24) and the 1600 Meter Run (5:47.81). Trinity Wade helped the Rams by running 52.51 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles. Adalynn Miller cleared 8’ 5.5” to win the Pole Vault. Shelbyville also picked up wins in the 4x200m Relay (1:57.88) and the 4x800m Relay (11:11.45).

 

South Central Conference Girls – May 27

 

Pana won the Girls team title in this meet with 162 points. Litchfield (122 points) and Roxana (109 points) finished second and third. One of the bigger stories in this meet was the return of all-state runner Lydia Roller of Staunton. Roller has missed most of her senior year due to injury but made the best of the situation in this meet. Roller, in her final conference meet, ran 12:05.13 to win the 3200 Meter Run to edge Roxana’s Janelynn Wirth (12:05.69). Wirth came back to run 5:39.77 to win the 1600 Meter Run ahead of teammate Gabrielle Woodruff (5:41.88) and Roller (5:56.41).

 

Mississippi Valley Conference Girls – May 27

 

Mascoutah won the Girls conference title with 183 points ahead of Highland (145 points) and Triad (129.5 points). There were two individual event double winners in this meet. Taylor Kesner of Highland had wins in the Shot Put (40’ 9”) and then achieved a personal best of 128’ 3” in winning the Discus. Faith Grapperhaus of Triad won on her home track with a 13.48 time to win the 100 Meter Dash and a 27.01 time to win the 200 Meter Dash. Triad also had a good time of 9:59.62 to win the 4x800m Relay.

 

Southwest Conference Girls – May 26

 

Edwardsville swept both the Varsity and Junior Varsity team titles in this meet. The Lady Tigers scored 161 points for the Varsity win ahead of Belleville West (134 points), O’Fallon (116 points), and East St. Louis-Senior (110 points). Edwardsville only had two individual wins along with a relay title, all in the distance events. It was their depth that paid off scoring in 16 of the 18 scored events.

 

Riley Knoyle (5:21.62) and Maya Kueking (5:22.39) scored 1-2 for Edwardsville in the 1600 Meter Run. The same happened in the 800 Meter Run as Edwardsville’s Kaitlyn Loyet (2:26.48) and Olivia Coll (2:27.48) finished ahead of the rest of the field. Edwardsville ran 9:58.33 to win the 4x800m Relay with O’Fallon finishing second (10:05.80).

 

Renee Raglin of Alton was a double event winner with 12.35 for first in the 100 Meter Dash and 25.85 time to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Big 12 Conference Girls – May 26

 

A strong anchor leg from Ali Ince gave Normal Community the conference win with 152 points at this meet held at Peoria Richwoods. Bloomington scored 150 points to finish second. Ince also picked up two individual wins running 2:17.21 to win the 800 Meter Run ahead of teammate Abigail Ziemer (2:23.34). Ince came back to cruise to the win in the 1600 Meter Run (5:14.29) with Kaitlin Skeate of Bloomington running 5:33.55 to finish second. Skeate earlier in the meet won the 3200 Meter Run (11:56.38). Ince was also a part of Normal Community’s 4x800m Relay that finished second (10:16.37) behind Peoria Notre Dame and their 10:04.81 winning time.

 

Lilianna Ifft of Bloomington cleared a personal best of 12’ 8” to win the Pole Vault. Bloomington’s Maddison Hopkins cleared a personal best of 35’ 6.5” to win the Shot Put. Normal Community’s Jazmin West was a double winner in the sprint events. The freshman ran a personal best of 12.40 to win the 100 Meter Dash. West came back to run 26.04, another personal best, to win the 200 Meter Dash. West was also a part of her team’s win in the 4x100m Relay (50.33) finishing ahead of Peoria Richwoods.

 

West Suburban Conference Gold Division Girls – May 26

 

Downers Grove South won another conference title Wednesday evening at Morton West. It was a little closer than expected. The Mustangs scored 189 points ahead of second place Willowbrook who scored 161 points. The star of the meet was Willowbrook’s Daylee Braden who left the meet with four wins. It was close in the 100 Meter Dash as Braden won the race (12.72) ahead of teammate Brianna Alandy by five hundredths of a second (12.77). Willowbrook finished 1-2 in the 400 Meter Dash with Braden again winning (59.25) ahead of teammate Lily Weder (1:00.82). Braden’s third individual win was with her win in the 200 Meter Dash (25.92). Braden was a part of her team’s winning 4x100m Relay (51.04) with Downers Grove South finishing second. Sophia McNerney was a double winner for Downers Grove South in the distance races winning the 800 Meter Run (2:20.04) and the 1600 Meter Run (5:11.77). Downers Grove South also picked up wins in the 4x800m Relay (10:49.89) and the 4x400m Relay (4:14.33).

 

Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division Girls – May 26

 

Lincoln-Way Central dominated this divisional championship held at Andrew. The Lady Knights scored 148 points with Lincoln-Way West (113 points) their closest competition. Lincoln-Way Central’s Kaitlyn Hutchinson was one of two meet double winners. The sophomore won the 100 Meter Dash (12.84) and then came back to run 26.94 to win the 200 Meter Dash by more than a second winning margin.

 

Stagg’s Shannon Lawler ran a personal best 15.20 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles. The junior came back to run 47.84 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles.

 

East Suburban Catholic Conference Girls – May 26

 

Benet Academy again captured the conference title (157 points) ahead of Marist (119 points) and Woodstock Marian (98) points. Mary Grace Hegberg of Saint Viator ran the distance triple coming away with some impressive races.

 

Hegberg started by running a solo 10:46.37 to win the 3200 Meter Run by almost a minute ahead of Benet Academy’s Louisa Diamond (11:41.02). Hegberg came right back to run a personal best of 2:17.46 to finish second in the 800 Meter Run behind winner Elisabeth Camic of Benet Academy who also achieved a personal best in this race (2:16.83). Hegberg ended her triple by running 5:06.92 ahead of Benet’s Diamond by 20 seconds.

 

North Suburban Conference Girls – May 26

 

Lake Zurich dominated this meet scoring 137 points to win the team title. Libertyville and Lake Forest both scored 88 points tying for second. Brooke Johnston led the Bears winning two individual events. Three runners went under 2:20 in the 800 Meter Run. Johnston led the way winning in a personal best of 2:16.87. Sheila Tucker of Libertyville (2:19.45) and Maya Henderson of Zion-Benton (2:19.54) finished second and third. The Lake Zurich sophomore finished her double by running 5:07.07 to easily win the 1600 Meter Run by 20 seconds ahead of Libertyville’s Bree Ponchak. Johnston was also on the Lake Zurich quartet that ran 4:16.55 to in the 4x400m Relay edging Lake Forest (4:16.88) and Libertyville (4:17.88). AJ Burk of Lake Zurich cleared a personal best of 11’ 2.75” in winning the Pole Vault.

 

Annika Bynum of Warren Township warmed up for the state series by clearing a seasonal best of 5’ 7” to win the High Jump. Warren also got a double championship from Alyla Ditiangkin who won both the 100 Meter Hurdles (15.67) and the 300 Meter Hurdles (47.84).

 

Dakota Lyons of Libertyville picked up two individual wins in the Long Jump (18’ 3.25) and running 59.17 to win the 400 Meter Dash. Stevenson’s Ella O’Neal threw 124’ 8” in winning the Discus. The junior also had a 40’ 3.5” best to help her win the Shot Put.

 

Interstate Eight Conference Girls – May 26

 

Kaneland won this conference meet Wednesday at Ottawa scoring 165 points with Sycamore (89.5 points) and LaSalle-Peru (80 points). Emily Strehl of LaSalle-Peru won both the 100 Meter Hurdles (17.17) and then jumping 16’ 2.5” in winning the Long Jump.

 

Sandwich’s Claire Allen won both weight events. The sophomore threw a personal best of 138’ 1” to win the Discus. Allen then came back to have a 39’ 8” mark to win the Shot Put. Joy Dudley of Morris won the 3200 Meter Run (12:36.58) and came back at the end of the meet to run 5:39.97 to win the 1600 Meter Run.

 

McKenzie Reser of Sycamore was the meet’s final double event winner. Reser ran a personal best 13.45 to win the 100 Meter Dash and then 27.67 to win the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Little Illini Conference Girls – May 26

 

At Flora High School, Newton won the Girls team title with 130.5 points. Red Hill (114 points) and Robinson (108 points) finished second and third. Red Hill’s Katie Moore had a great meet winning four individual events. The senior ran a personal best of 12.91 to win the 100 Meter Dash and another personal best of 26.85 to win the 200 Meter Dash. She was just as splendid over barriers winning both hurdle races. Moore ran 15.29 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles by more than two seconds. She came back to run 46.33 to win the 300 Hurdles by close to five seconds.

 

Brooklyn Bender of Marshall completed the distance double winning the 3200 Meter Run (11:43.81) and the 1600 Meter Run (5:37.74). Teammate Cailin Morris finished second in both races. Both runners were part of Marshall’s quartet that ran 10:25.36 to win the 4x800m Relay. Red Hill’s Abigail Haselwinkle was a double winner in the horizontal jumps. The senior had a 15’ 9” jump to win the Long Jump and a 33’ 2.5” performance in winning the Triple Jump.

 

SIRR Conference Mississippi Division Girls – May 26

 

Host DuQuoin flexed their muscles readying themselves for the upcoming state series scoring 210 points for the team win. Nashville was the closest team scoring 152 points to finish second. The Indians won 10 of the 18 scored events led by the three individual wins from Jalynn Wood. The junior cleared 9’ 0.25” to win the Pole Vault, ran 16.48 to in the 100 Hurdles, and 50.52 to win the 300 Hurdles.

 

Olivia Phillips ran two personal bests in her race wins. Phillips ran 2:18.73 to win the 800 Meter Run with Brodie Denny of Anna-Jonesboro finishing second (2:20.79). The two runners finished 1-2 in the 1600 Meter Run with Phillips running 5:39.60 for the win and Denny again in second (5:53.06). Grace Alongi helped DuQuoin by running 1:01.57 to win the 400 Meter Dash and then achieving a personal best of 33’ 8.25” in winning the Triple Jump.

 

SIRR Conference Ohio Division Girls – May 26

 

In a close meet at Herrin, Murphysboro held on to win the team title (276 points) ahead of Herrin (250 points) and Massac County (176 points). De’aja Finch led Murphysboro with a pair of wins in the 100 Meter Dash (13.1) and the 200 Meter Dash (28.2). Ansley Bailey of Massac County won three individual events. The senior pulled away to run 13:44.3 to win the 3200 Meter Run by three seconds ahead of Murphysboro’s Kayden Gilmore. Bailey stepped down in distance first running 2:32.7 to win the 800 Meter Run. Bailey followed that by running a seasonal best of 1:00.4 to win the 400 Meter Dash. Herrin was led by the double win from Karli Mann. The freshman won the Long Jump (16’ 3.5”) and the Triple Jump (34’ 5.5”).

 

Illini Prairie Conference Girls – May 25

 

Tolono Unity captured the team title on their home track scoring 165 points. Monticello (133 points) and St. Joseph-Ogden (116 points) finished second and third. The Rockets gained the team title with four individual wins along with two wins in the relays.

 

Audrey Remole of Unity cleared a personal best 5’ 3” in winning the High Jump. Brianna Dixon finished second with the same height. Remole won on fewer misses. Unity swept the weight events as Aly Bagwell had a 35’ 3.25” best to win the Shot Put. Her teammate Gracie Cox threw 131’ 7” in winning the Discus. Bri Ritchie won on the track running 50.55 and winning by four seconds in the 300 Meter Hurdles.

 

Tolono Unity edged St. Joseph-Ogden in the 4x100m Relay. Unity’s 51.00 second time edged SJO who ran 51.38. The margin was a little bigger in the 4x200m Relay as Tolono Unity ran 1:50.88 for the win compared to the 1:52.88 second place time from St. Joseph-Ogden.

 

Monticello controlled the two longer relays. The Lady Sages held on to win the 4x800m Relay (9:57.71) just ahead of Unity (9:58.76). It was closer for Monticello in the final event of the meet. Monticello ran 4:23.07 to edge Stanford Olympia (4:23.42) and St. Joseph-Ogden (4:25.28) to win the 4x400m Relay.

 

Monticello’s Mabry Bruhn attempted the distance triple in this meet winning two of the three races. Bruhn ran 2:24.76 to win the 800 Meter Run ahead of teammate Grace Talbert (2:28.02).  Bruhn’s second win came when she ran 5:10.64 in winning the 1600 Meter Run ahead of Savanah Beavers of Stanford Olympia by eight seconds. The order changed earlier in the 3200 Meter Run when Beavers had the upper hand in winning with a 11:12.37 time. Bruhn ran 11:23.97 to finish second.

 

Bruhn’s fourth event was in the Pole Vault. She cleared a personal best of 10’ 0” to finish third in the event. St. Joseph-Ogden swept the first two places as Grace Schmitz (11’ 0”) and Payton Carter (10’ 0”) finished first and second.

 

An athlete to watch during this upcoming state series is Megan Becker of Bloomington Central Catholic. The junior picked up two wins in this meet running 12.79 in winning the 100 Meter Dash and 58.86 to win the 400 Meter Dash finishing just ahead of St. Joseph Ogden’s Atleigh Hamilton (59.30). Hamilton had the edge in the 200 Meter Dash running 26.00 for the win ahead of the personal best from Becker (26.39). Hamilton, the two-time defending state champion in the Long Jump, jumped 17’ 11” to win that event.

 

South Seven Conference Girls - May 25

 

Marion won four of six individual field events along with a win in a relay to help them win the conference title with 143 points. Belleville Althoff Catholic (106.5 points) and Cahokia (103.5 points) finished second and third overall. Mariyah Menicucci led Marion with a double win in the Shot Put (36-11) and the Discus (114-07) with a personal best. Kylie Gormann of Centralia tuned up for the upcoming sectional with a pair of wins in the horizontal jumps. Gormann had a 17’ 9.25’ best in winning the Long Jump. The junior came back with a personal best of 36’ 11.75 to win the Triple Jump.

 

Althoff Catholic looked strong in the sprints winning all the individual events. Defending 1A champion Nariah Parks ran 58.83 to win the 400 Meter Dash. Alaina Lester, only a freshman, ran 12.35 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of another freshman Keymora Hayes of Cahokia (12.66). The two athletes finished 1-2 again in the 200 Meter Dash with Lester earning the win (25.98) just ahead of Hayes (26.16). Parks ran 26.77 to finish third.

 

Cahokia was led by the double win of Vashanti Reynolds in the 100 Meter Hurdles (15.35) and the 300 Meter Hurdles (49.41).

 

South Suburban Blue Division Girls – May 25

 

Host Thornton Fractional South held their own in the team competition winning the title with 126 points with Oak Forest seventh points back in second (119 points). TF North’s Khaniya Higginbotham was the star of this meet winning three individual events. Higginbotham and Shanera Cambric of TF South needed a photo to decide the winner of the 100 Meter Dash. A photo could not even decide who won. Both athletes were given a tying win timed at 12.97 seconds. Higginbotham came back to run 1:02.79 to win the 400 Meter Dash with Jenny Martinez of Lemont placing second (1:02.93). Higginbotham’s third win came when she ran 27.10 in the 200 Meter Dash.

 

Southland Athletic Conference Girls – May 24

 

Rich Township in their first full season of track & field (Rich Central, Rich South, and Rich East merged into one district team) combined to win the Girls team title with 152 points. Bloom Township (102 points)) and host Kankakee finished second and third.

 

Bria Armstrong of Bloom Township was in the spotlight in her final conference meet winning three individual events. Armstrong started the meet by jumping 17’ 9” to win the Long Jump with Rich Township’s Arianna Walker jumping 17’ 4.25” to finish second. Armstrong’s next win came when she jumped 37’ 10.25” in winning the Triple Jump. The senior went to the track where she ran 15.43 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles by three seconds.

 

Walker was one of the reasons why Rich Township won this meet finishing second in the Long Jump winning her three other events. Walker, also a senior, ran 12.42 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of Ranyah Hodges of Thornton (12.59) and Armstrong (12.64). Walker ran 25.57 into a headwind to win the 200 Meter Dash. Walker also was a part of the quartet for Rich Township that ran 48.90 to win the 4x100m Relay.

 

Thornwood’s Christine Nosike won the two weight events in this meet starting with a 40’ 5” performance in winning the Shot Put. The senior came back with a 135’ 7” throw in winning the Discus.

 

Sangamo Girls Conference Meet – May 24

 

This meet held at Athens was won by New Berlin with 138 points. Pleasant Plains scored 119 points in finishing second overall in this 10-team meet. There were two athletes that were double winners in this meet. Nikkie Shaffer of Pleasant Plains won both hurdle races. The junior first ran 16.81 to win the100 Meter Hurdles. Shaffer came back to run 50.98 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles just ahead of Auburn’s Aleese Trimmingham (51.13). Alonda Shelton of New Berlin had breakout races for win in both sprint events. The freshman ran 12.95 to win the 100 Meter Dash edging Livia Bender of Maroa-Forsyth by a tenth of a second (13.05). New Berlin went 1-2 in the 200 Meter Dash with Shelton winning (27.90) ahead of teammate Lainey Brewer (28.10).

 

Chicago Prep Conference Girls – May 23

 

Hope Academy won the team title on their home track with a point total of 180 points. Walther Christian scored 127 points to finish second. Tyrah Taylor led Hope Academy with three wins in this meet. The senior ran 12.77 to win the 100 Meter Dash and running 26.78 to win the 200 Meter Dash by almost four seconds. Taylor also anchored her team to a win in the 4x100m Relay (54.66).

 

Chicago Public League Championships – May 22

 

Whitney Young dominated the team competition of this meet at Lane Tech scoring 152 points. Kenwood (92.5 points) and South Shore (62 points) finished second and third. Their sprint presence in this meet shows that they could challenge for a state title in June.

 

Sydney Robinson of Whitney Young went under 12-seconds for the second time this spring running 11.99 to win the 100 Meter Dash ahead of her sister Rachel (12.27, IL #9) and Kenwood’s Sydney Weaver (12.36). Sydney came back to run a state tying best of 25.09 to win the 200 Meter Dash ahead of Weaver (25.56) and Simeon’s Lindsey Miller (25.57).

 

Whitney Young was dominant in the relays. The Dolphins ran a state leading 46.96 to win the 4x100m Relay. Whitney Young came back to run 1:44.75 (IL #3) to win the 4x200m Relay ahead of Simeon (1:48.86) by more than four seconds.

 

Jordan Marshall of South Shore International was a double winner running 15.54 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles by more than a second and then running 48.29 to win the 300 Meter Hurdles just ahead of Kenwood’s Samaii Hartley (48.86).

 

Western Big Six Conference Girls – May 21

 

This was the first conference meet with newcomers Geneseo and Sterling who joined the conference in the fall of 2019 but could not compete last spring because of the pandemic. Geneseo made their presence known in their first conference meet claiming 190 points to win the meet. East Moline United scored 129 points to finish second.

 

Tori Thomas of Rock Island Alleman rocked the Illinois Pole Vault world for the second time this season. She broke her all-time state best by clearing 13’ 7.75”. It is ranked #10 nationally heading into Memorial Day weekend.

 

Thomas’ record setting performance in a way took a little attention away from a great meet performance from Geneseo’s Ali Rapps four wins, two of which were in relays. The junior was in command in both the hurdle races. Rapps time of 15.07 won the 100 Meter Hurdles by almost a second. The margin was larger in the 300 Meter Hurdles as she won by over six seconds running a personal best of 46.23. Rapps was a part of Geneseo’s 4x100m Relay that ran 49.56 for the win ahead of East Moline United (50.82). Rapps anchored the team’s quartet that won the 4x400m Relay (4:08.42) by 16 seconds ahead of Galesburg (4:24.06).

 

Quincy had a pair of double individual event winners. Anna Schuering ran a personal best 2:20.33 to win the 800 Meter Run five seconds ahead of Alleman’s Caroline Adam. Schuering came back to run 5:21.53 to easily win the 1600 Meter Run. Emily Wilson won both weight events starting with a 37’ 1.25” personal best in the Shot Put. Wilson had another personal best in the Discus throwing 125’ 0” for the win.

 

Kaylee Allen of Galesburg also won two individual events in this meet. She ran 1:02.21 to win the 400 Meter Dash by two seconds ahead of Geneseo’s Sierra Krueger. Allen came back to run 26.36 in winning the 200 Meter Dash. She just missed a win in the 100 Meter Dash by three hundredths of a second. Freshman Tyagia Wiggins of East Moline United won the race (12.78) ahead of Alen’s 12.81 personal best.

 

Apollo Conference Girls Meet – May 20

 

Host Mt. Zion controlled this meet scoring 182 points to win the Girls conference title. Effingham was the closest team to Mt. Zion finishing second with 79 points.

 

Sara Addai led Mt. Zion winning three individual events as well as being on one of her team’s winning relays. Addai started her meet by winning the 100 Meter Dash (12.68) just ahead of Charleston’s Makenna McBride (12.80). The two finished 1-2 in the 200 Meter Dash with Addai once again winning (26.03) with McBride second (26.75). Addai’s win in the 400 Meter Dash was convincing with one of the top times in the state (58.41) winning the race by almost five seconds. Addai was also a part of her team’s 4x400m Relay that ran 4:12.32 for the win. Effingham ran 4:19.74 to finish second.

 

Morgan Pilate of Mt. Zion was also a triple individual winner as she ran a personal best 15.44 to win the 100 Meter Hurdles, jumped 35’ 5.5” to win the Triple Jump, and had a 17’ 0” mark to win the Long Jump.

 

Becca Heitzig of Lincoln ran 2:16.35 to win the 800 Meter Dash with Megan Garrett of Charleston running 2:22.47 to finish second. Garrett came back to turn the tables on Heitzig to win the 1600 Meter Run (5:05.1) while Heitzig finished second with a personal best of 5:07.4.

 

Prairie State Girls Conference – May 19

 

This small conference in the Metro St. Louis Area produced some big performances. Jayden Ulrich of East Alton-Wood River easily won both weight events with a 49’ 10.75 mark in the Shot Put as well as a 160’ 4.75 throw in the Discus. Freshman Kaitlyn Hatley of Father McGivney ran 2:33 to win the 800 Meter Run and 5:48.3 to win the 1600 Meter Run by almost two minutes.

 

GCAC Outdoor Championship – May 18

 

This meet at Loyola Academy started the Girls conference meet schedule in Illinois. Host Loyola Academy won the large school (Red) division of this meet with 211 points. St. Ignatius scored 148 points to finish second ahead of Fenwick (121 points). St. Laurence won the small school (White) division of the meet with 167 points just ahead of Resurrection (162 points).

 

Lexi Affolter of St. Ignatius and Morgan Mackie of Loyola Academy had a pair of great distance races in this meet. Mackie ran a personal best of 10:51.69 to win the 3200 Meter Run ahead of the 11:00.78 time from Affolter. It was Affolter’s turn to win in the 1600 Meter Run as she ran 5:08.85 finishing three seconds ahead of the Loyola freshman (5:11.42).

 

There were two double winners in the Red Division. Delaney Seligmann of Fenwick jumped 15’ 9.75” to win the Long Jump as well as jumping 34’ 6.25” to win the Triple Jump. Gabby Yaccino of Providence Catholic won both weight events. The senior had a 35’ 1.75” mark to win the Shot Put. Yaccino also threw 105’ 9” to win the Discus.

 

Veronica Dworak of Resurrection was a double winner in the White Division running 11:44.74 to win the 3200 Meter Run by more than a minute. The sophomore came back to run 5:45.39 in winning the 1600 Meter Run. Damara Sims of De La Salle was a white division double winner in the sprints. Sims started by running 13.70 to win the 100 Meter Dash and then running 28.51 to win the 200 Meter Dash.