2021 IHSA Girls State Track & Field Championships - Class 2A Preview

 

By Michael Newman

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Running Events

 

4x800m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 8:59.03 – Wheaton-Warrenville South - 2012

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 9:17.32 – Yorkville - 2011

 

2021 2A Best – 9:36.30 – Aurora (Rosary)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 9:42.42 – Chicago (Latin School)

 

Preview – Rosary has the fastest 2A time in the state but that was with their state champion Lianna Surtz part of it. Without her in that quartet, the Royals ran 9:51.26 but still winning at Plano last week. Latin School is the favorite in this race. The key will be for any team to have a big enough lead on the Romans before the final exchange. Latin School has a nice luxury to have Marianne Mihas as their anchor. The senior has a 2:09 best to her credit, They ran a solo 9:42.42 in their sectional win. With runners around them, it could be a lot faster Friday afternoon.

 

Triad ran 9:44.96 to win at Wood River last Friday behind with their top 400-meter runner Sydney Harotin part of their quartet. There are eight teams that have run under 10 minutes including Peoria Notre Dame, Morton, Metamora, and Tolono Unity. Will there be three sections of eight or two sections of 12 in this event? If it is eight, Monticello falls into the second section. If 12, then it is Burlington Central.

 

Latin School and Rosary are the two teams that we should see in the front. 9:34 or faster should be the time needed to win this state championship.

 

4x100m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 46.04 – Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) - 2014

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 47.25 – Dunlap - 2018

 

2021 2A Best – 49.37 – Geneseo

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 50.03 – Kankakee

 

Preview – This is an interesting event. Two schools – Geneseo and Marian Central Catholic – are the only schools that have run under 50 seconds in this race. Kankakee had the fastest sectional time with East St. Louis-Senior close behind. Lindblom, Metamora, Metamora, and Peoria Richwoods ae all within two tenths of a second. Marian Central Catholic has Dominique Thomas anchoring which could be a difference maker in this event. Too close to call. The team with the fewest exchange errors wins this. I know it sounds like a cliché. That is how close this event will be.

 

3200 Meter Run

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 9:56.94 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock - 2011

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 9:56.94 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock - 2011

 

2021 2A Best – 10:34.96 – Mary Grace Hegberg (JR), Arlington Heights (St. Viator)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 10:34.96 – Mary Grace Hegberg (JR), Arlington Heights (St. Viator)

 

Preview – Mary Grace Hegberg’s performance in her sectional race is typical of what she has been doing this spring. The junior is perhaps the improved runner in this state and should show that improvement in this state race. A solo 10:34 race is something that cannot be ignored. Ava Parekh of Latin School has run this event only twice outdoors with a 10:47.42 in her league race her best. She did run 10:15.96 in Virginia at the end of February. That cannot be discounted. She is a big race runner which should show when the gun goes off on Friday.

 

Anna Perry of Eureka ran 10:45.25 as a seasonal best this spring and will be with Hegberg and Parekh in the front. Lianna Surtz of Rosary could be among the runners in the front pack. Savannah Beavers of Olympia, Mabry Bruhn of Monticello, Olivia Syftestad of Latin School, and Hailey Heair of Galena are all capable of running under 11 minutes and finishing in the top five.

 

Parekh, remember, is qualified in two other races. She cannot play sit and kick especially with Hegberg in the race. It will be interesting to see how this race plays out.

 

100 Meter Hurdles

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 13.54 – Dawn Harper, East St. Louis-Senior - 2001

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 13.72 – Imani Carothers, Chicago (Brooks) - 2017

 

2021 2A Best – 14.53 – Brianna Dixon (SO), Rantoul

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 14.53 – Brianna Dixon (SO), Rantoul

 

Preview – Sectional and Class 2A leader Brianna Dixon’s race at sectional was huge. Her previous best was 15.37 at Tolono on May 21. She ran almost a second faster in her sectional race. Brooke Barkocy of Burlington Central ran 14.81 as a freshman. She has only raced this event three times this season running under 15 seconds twice. Jordan Marshall of South Shore has run a wind-aided 15.00 at the beginning of May. She will not be in the fastest section in this event with the 14th best sectional time. She could, however, set the standard in this event before the final section goes off.

 

Anna Barr of Normal University ran a personal best of 15.18 and could press for the win in this race. Ali Rapps of Geneseo ran 15.36 in her sectional win but does have a 15.07 seasonal best in winning her conference race. Vashanti Reynolds of Cahokia also could be a surprise in this event.

 

Dixon ran that sectional time. Let’s see if the sophomore duplicates that effort in this race. Barkocy has been waiting for this moment in her high school career. She could be the one that grabs the top prize in Charleston.

 

100 Meter Dash

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 11.41 – Alexandria Anderson, Chicago (Morgan Park) - 2004

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 11.41 – Morolake Akinosun, Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)  2012

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 11.48 – Charday Crawford, Springfield (Southeast) - 2012

 

2021 2A Best – 12.11 – Lauren Doerr (SR), Morton

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 12.22 – Anna Barr (SO), Normal (University)

 

Preview – Anna Barr has the fastest sectional time after running in the 100 Meter Hurdles. The sophomore won by eight hundredth of a second ahead of Kankakee’s Neveah Lowe at Kankakee. Barr’s teammate Reese Mitchell could surprise after her sectional race of 12.36. Laura Doer has the Class 2A best of 12.11 run at Dunlap. She also has an 11.7 hand timed race this year along with opening the season at 12.15. I would not dismiss this senior in this event.

 

Dominique Thomas of Marian Central Catholic ran 12.24 in her conference race on May 26 and will factor on who wins on Friday. Lindblom freshman Symone Frison ran 12.33 in the Chicago City Championships. Her sectional time leaves her out of the final section. Frison could win outside of the final section.

 

There is no real overall favorite. It could be Barr but let’s see how she responds immediately after her hurdles race. The experience of seniors Doerr and Thomas could pay off in the final section of this event.

 

800 Meter Run

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton, Rockton (Hononegah) - 2013

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – Karina Liz, Aurora (Central Catholic) - 2014

 

2021 2A Best – 2:09.08 – Marianne Mihas (SR), Chicago (Latin School)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 2:14.18 – Megan Garrett (SR), Charleston

 

Preview – All eyes will be on Marianne Mihas in this race. The senior, who won the Class 1A state title as a sophomore in 2019, has run 2:09 twice this season. The latest came in West Virginia two weeks ago. Mihas will be in the 4x8 and then runs the 400 right after this race. She has the best finishing speed of this field and could run a tactical race for the win.

 

This event is talented with Megan Garrett, Colleen Zeibert of Rochester, and Becca Heitzig of Lincoln, all ran times under 2:16 in their sectional races. All these runners could get to 2:13 or under in Charleston. Ava Parekh of Latin School has a 2:14.92 seasonal best. The junior does run this race after running what could be a competitive 3200.

 

Ansley Bailey of Massac County could be among the top five in this race. Kristen Ess of Breese Central could be a surprise. Mihas has the big race experience that should payoff in this state race on Friday.

 

4x200m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 1:36.86 – Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) - 2013

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 1:39.38 – Dunlap - 2018

 

2021 2A Best – 1:45.77 – Peoria (Richwoods)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 1:45.77 – Peoria (Richwoods)

 

Preview – The Macomb Sectional race with Peoria Richwoods running the fastest Class 2A time just ahead of Peoria Notre Dame turned some heads last week. They will not be a surprise if they win this Friday. East St. Louis-Senior has run the second fastest Class 2A time, but that was with a different lineup when they ran that time at the St. Clair County Championships. Their sectional time relegates them outside of the final section.

 

Kankakee, Geneseo, and Metamora all have times under 1:47 and should play a part on who wins this event. Normal University could be the surprise in this relay. This is not your typical state meet race with a prelim and a final. One slip of a baton pass could open the door for any other team in this 23-team field.

 

400 Meter Dash

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 52.63 – Alexandria Anderson, Chicago (Morgan Park) - 2005

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 54.19 – Shamier Little, Chicago (Lindblom) - 2012

 

2021 2A Best – 57.57 – Sara Addai (SR), Mt. Zion

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 57.57 – Sara Addai (SR), Mt. Zion

 

Preview – Sara Addai is the only runner with a time under 58 seconds in this field. She has been running faster with every completed race. She could dip into the 56’s when she steps into her blocks on the big Blue Oval.

 

Maggie Dervis of Aurora Central Catholic qualified in al three sprint events in the state meet. This distance could suit her the best. She ran 58.02 on May 22. She could run faster in this race. Marianne Mihas of Latin School has a 58.36 best and should be one of the top runners in this race. This will be her third race of the meet. Sydney Hartoin of Triad ran 58.43 last week. Don’t count her out in this race.

 

Jayda Williams of Mascoutah is the only other runner under 60 seconds from sectionals. Watch out for her as well.

 

300 Meter Hurdles

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 40.61 – Shalina Clarke, Evanston Township - 2005

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 42.14 – Markita Rush, East St. Louis-Senior - 2013

 

2021 2A Best – 44.96 – Brooke Barkocy (SR), Burlington (Central)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 44.96 – Brooke Barkocy (SR), Burlington (Central)

 

Preview – Brooke Barkocy enters this race as the only Class 2A runner under 45 seconds in this event in 2021. She did finish behind Ann Molenhouse of Rosary at the Kane County Championships when Molenhouse ran 45.11 in that race. Barkocy was more than two seconds back.

 

The fact is that Barkocy has the fastest sectional time by 1.35 seconds ahead of Ali Rapps of Geneseo who could also be dangerous in this race. Then comes Molenhouse and her 47.12 sectional time. Vashanti Reynolds of Cahokia also has a seasonal best time under 47 seconds and could finish in the top 3 in this race. Brionna Graham of East St. Louis-Senior is one runner that I would also watch for.

 

1600 Meter Run

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock - 2011

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock - 2011

 

2021 2A Best – 4:52.81 – Ava Parekh (SR), Chicago (Latin School)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 4:56.91 – Mary Grace Hegberg (JR), Arlington Heights (St. Viator)

 

Preview – This race is Parekh vs. Hegberg Part 2 after what should be a great race in the 3200 Meter Run. Throw in Elia Ton-That of Northside Prep and this should be an interesting race. Ava Parekh and Elia Ton-That have raced twice against each other this season. The first race at Palatine had Parekh running 4:52.81 while Ton-That ran 4:56.60. Both were fresh for that race. Last Thursday at Hope Academy, Parekh won again at 4:58.07 with Ton-That at 5:03.00. That was Parekh’s third race. Ton-That will be running this race fresh.

 

Mary Grace Hegberg of St. Viator ran a solo sectional leading 4:56.91 and will be doubling back from the 3200. I do not believe that Hegberg will let this race become tactical. Parekh has the big meet experience on the national level and will not let this race get away from her. It will also be points for Latin School in their team title chase.

 

Lianna Surtz of Rosary is the defending champion in this race and could be among the front pack racing. Anna Perry of Eureka and Mabry Bruhn of Monticello both have times under 5:10 and will challenge for top five finishes. Bea Parr of Latin School and Alexi Fogo of Eureka are runners also to watch in Section 2 of this event. Lizzy Zacharias of Normal University and Hailey Heair of Galena both have 5:11 seasonal times but will run in the first section of this event because of how they ran their sectionals. Both could make that race interesting setting up a fast time for Section 2 to shoot for.

 

200 Meter Dash

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 23.32 – Alexandria Anderson, Chicago (Morgan Park) - 2005

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 24.05 – Shamier Little, Chicago Lindblom - 2013

 

2021 2A Best – 25.47 – Lauren Doerr (SR), Morton

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 25.47 – Lauren Doerr (SR), Morton

 

Preview – Most of the top times in this event come from last week’s sectional meets. Lauren Doerr has the best Class 2A time and should be considered the favorite. Anna Barr of Normal University had a great sectional meet and is only six hundredth of a second of Doerr. Dominique Thomas of Marian Central Catholic won her sectional race from Lane 8 with no other runner close to her. She will be in the middle this week. Expect a big race from her.

 

Neveah Lowe of Kankakee finished second behind Barr in the sectional race. Maggie Devers of Aurora Central Catholic will be in her third event and has run under 26 seconds. I would not count her out at the end of this meet.

 

4x400m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 3:45.0 – East St. Louis-Lincoln - 1984

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 3:52.64 – Richton Park (Rich South) - 2012

 

2021 2A Best – 4:04.58 – Aurora (Rosary)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 4:04.58 – Aurora (Rosary)

 

Preview – The 2A State team title could be decided in this race. The expected principles in the team chase Rosary, Latin School, and Geneseo among others all should be in the final section. Rosary and Geneseo have the top two times and are within a tenth of a second of each other. Latin School, Monticello, Burlington Central, and Peoria Notre Dame all have run under 4:10 and will be in the front. The second section should be interesting with talented teams from Eureka and Triad leads the way.

 

The one thing that will be exciting is that instead of having one exciting race to end the day, we will have three. This race should be fun to watch.

 

Field Events

 

High Jump

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 1.8288m (6-0) – Jelena Rowe, Chicago Heights (Bloom Township) - 2017

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 1.8034m (5-11) – Diamonasia Taylor, Urbana - 2019

 

2021 2A Best – 1.73m (5-8) – Annie Wirth (SO), Geneseo

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 1.65 (5-5) – Molly Grohmann (SO), Waterloo

 

Preview – Annie Wirth has the top Class 2A performance achieved at Rock Island on May 7. She has been between 5-4 and 5-5 most of the year. Sectional leader Molly Grohmann and Hallie Steponaitis of Woodstock have both cleared 5-5 this season and could be factors in this 26-athlete field. This field is young. 8 of the top 10 sectional qualifiers are either freshmen or sophomores. It will be interesting if this big meet atmosphere affects this competition.

 

Pole Vault

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 4.064m (13-4) – Lindsey Murray, Harrisburg - 2014

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 4.064m (13-4) – Lindsey Murray, Harrisburg - 2014

 

2021 2A Best – 4.20m (13-9.25) – Tori Thomas (SR), Rock Island (Alleman)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 3.73m (12-2.75) – Tori Thomas (SR), Rock Island (Alleman)

 

Preview – Tori Thomas is a lock to win this event unless drastically bad happens which I doubt. Thomas has achieved the All-Time Illinois High School best three times this year with her latest of 13-9.25 happening in a low scale dual meet on May 25. Thomas has cleared 13-0 or better four times this year in eight meets. The next closest athlete in this field, Libby Saloga of Rosary, has a 12-2.75 seasonal best.

 

The battle for second will be the main thing to watch for before Thomas gets serious with her attempts. Normal University’s Sawyer Schoon and Lindsey Shouse, Shaelin Ruzich of Mahomet-Seymour, and Natalie Papes of Providence Catholic along with Saloga are some of the athletes to keep an eye on in the battle for second.

 

Shot Put

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 15.5448m (51-0) – Kathleen Young, Warrensburg-Latham - 2016

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 15.2019m (49-10.5) – Daniela Bunch, Mahomet-Seymour - 2009

 

2021 2A Best – 15.82m (51-10.75) – Jayden Ulrich (SR), Wood River (EA-Wood River)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 14.60m (47-10.75) – Jayden Ulrich (SR), Wood River (EA-Wood River)

 

Preview – The word “lock” will be used a lot in the Class 2A Field Events on Friday. They will be used a couple of times with Jayden Ulrich. The senior is the defending Class 2A champion in this event. She has surpassed Kathleen Young’s state meet record twice this year with a 51-10.75 mark at the Collinsville Invitational on May 14. The question will be if she can catch the All-Time Illinois Best of 53-5 set by Young in 2017.

 

Ulrich is over 10 feet ahead of her closest competition in this meet. Taylor Kesner of Highland achieved a personal best of 40-10.25 last Friday behind Ulrich in the sectional competition. Ulrich’s shortest throw of this season was 46-0. Even on her worse day, Ulrich is a good bet to repeat.

 

Claire Allen of Sandwich, Ryley Huston of Monmouth-Roseville, and Lana Krone of Streator all have sectional bests over 39 feet and could challenge for the second spot. Alice Mihas of Latin School and Maryiah Menicucci of Marion could surprise in this event with a top four finish.

 

Discus

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 51.0032m  (167-4) – Kelsey Card, Carlinville - 2010

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 44.3992m (145-8) – Tayla Schwarz, Dixon - 2016

 

2021 2A Best – 51.25m (168-1.75) – Jayden Ulrich (SR), Wood River (EA-Wood River)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 44.62m (146-4.75) – Jayden Ulrich (SR), Wood River (EA-Wood River)

 

Preview – What has been lost in the discussion of Jayden Ulrich has accomplished in the Shot Put is how improved she has become in the Discus. She finished her sophomore season finishing second in the Class 2A State Meet. At a meet on May 26 at Chester, Ulrich achieved an All-Time Illinois best of 168-1.75. She should break the Class 2A record in this meet. She has thrown past that mark 12 times. The thing to watch is how close she gets to the state meet record. She will only have four throws in one day, not six throws in two days like it has been in the past.

 

Gracie Cox of Tolono Unity threw 140-4.75 to win at Mt. Zion last week and will be Ulrich’s chief competition. Ulrich threw 146-4.75 last week. Carolina Hintz of Burlington Central has a 140-0 seasonal best and will be in the mix for a top finish along with Taylor Kesner of Highland and Desire Poole of East St. Louis-Senior.

 

Long Jump

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 6.3246m (20-9) – Alexandria Anderson, Chicago (Morgan Park) - 2005

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 6.07695m (19-11.25) – Erika Furbeck, Geneseo - 2018

 

2021 2A Best – 5.65m (18-6.5) – Annie Wirth (SO), Geneseo

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 5.65m (18-6.5) – Annie Wirth (SO), Geneseo

 

Preview – Annie Wirth exploded in her sectional meet improving her personal best by half a foot. Wirth will be tough to beat if she improves on that sectional performance. Abby Venhaus of Columbia jumped 18-0.25 in her sectional win. Lauren Doerr of Morton has jumped 18-3.25 this season. Both athletes should contend for the state title. Julia Finazzo of Galena and Kylie Gormann of Centralia both jumped past 17-11 last week. Keep an eye on them. Jordan Marshall of South Shore won her sectional last week at 17’5.5 and appears to be peaking at the right time.

 

Triple Jump

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 13.0175m (42-8.5) – Jaimie Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor - 2017

 

IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record – 12.2682m (40-3) – Imani Carothers, Chicago Brooks - 2018

 

2021 2A Best – 11.43m (37-6) – Jordan Marshall (SR), Chicago (South Shore International)

 

2021 2A Sectional Best – 11.21m (36-9.25) – Kylie Gormann (JR), Centralia

 

Preview – This event could come down to Jordan Marshall challenging Kylie Gormann for the state championship in the hop, skip, and jump. Marshall has the 2A best mark happening at the beginning of May. She has been consistant going past 36 feet three times including 36-8.5 last week. Gormann seems to be peaking at the right time jumping 36-11.75 and 36-9.25 in her last two meets. Either of these athletes could win this event.

 

Delaney Seligmann of Fenwick jumped a personal best of 36-9 at the beginning of May. Ann Molenhouse of Rosary, Janyah Brown of East St. Louis-Senior, and Morgan Pilate are all near 36-0 and could challenge for the win with big personal bests in this meet.