IHSA Girls State Track & Field Championships - Thursday 1A Preliminary Highlights

By Michael Newman [email protected]

Charleston, Ill – Tuscola put themselves in good position and a little closer to a state title trophy during Thursday’s preliminary session qualifying seven to the finals. Winnebago is also in the same position as Tuscola but has bigger numbers advancing 12 to Saturday’s finals. DuQuoin (7 qualifiers), Newark (6 qualifiers) and Salt Fork (6 qualifiers) are all in the qualifying mix.

Alyssa Williams of Tuscola is in line to defend her state titles in the 100 and 200. Williams ran a wind-aided 12.03 to lead all qualifiers in the 100 Meter Dash with Kaitlyn Vahling of Teutopolis (12.33) and Kiara Wesseh of Newark (12.39) her closest competition. Williams is more than a second ahead of the field after the 200 Meter Dash heats. Williams ran a personal best of 24.97 into a 2.1 m/s headwind to accomplish herself as the top qualifier.

The Tuscola senior is also the defending champion in the Long Jump. She currently stands in ninth in the event. Nakeita Kessling of Henry-Senachwine) leads all qualifiers with a 17-10.25 jump.

Kessling has a two second advantage ahead of the rest of the field in the 400 Meter Dash. Her personal best time of 57.42 leads all qualifiers. Kaitlyn Vahling is the next closest at 59.49.

The story of the distance prelims was the emergence of Ahry Comer of Pope County with the top qualifying times in the 800 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. The sophomore ran the fastest qualifying time (2:14.23) ahead of another sophomore Kennady Anderson of Wethersfield (2:15.93). Grace Erb of Winnebago ran 2:19.49 to comfortably qualify as the third qualifier in the event.

Comer and Anderson again were the top two qualifiers in the 1600 Meter Run. The two were separated by .05 seconds with Comer having the faster time of 5:08.36. Both Comer and Anderson will also run the 3200 Meter Run to begin their day on Saturday. Elana Rybak of Father McGivney won the other heat in the event (5:10.21).

Winnebago and DuQuoin were only separated by .01 seconds in their heat of the 4x800m Relay. Winnebago had a seven second lead entering the final leg of their heat. Olivia Phillips brought her team back just to get edged by Grace Erb for Winnebago at the finish (9:49.30 – 9:49.31).

Grace Nelson of Altamont is the top qualifier in both hurdle events. Nelson ran 14.18 as the top qualifier in the 100 Meter Hurdles. Cambria Geyer of Tremont (14.62) and Megan Williams of Newark (15.12) were the next qualifiers. Nelson’s margin was bigger in the 300 Meter Hurdles as she led all qualifiers with a 44.29 time. Geyer (45.60) and Lia Patterson of Tuscola (46.76) were the next two qualifiers.

The 4x100m Relay should be a tight ne on Saturday. Maroa-Forsyth led all qualifiers with their 49.34 time. Byron (49.53), Rockford Christian (49.75), and defending champion in the event Nashville (49.80) were all under 50-seconds.

Maroa-Forsyth also had the fastest time in the 4x200m Relay) just ahead of Nashville (1:45.57). Byron (1:45.62), Newark (1:45.66), and Tuscola (1:46.85) followed developing what should be a great final on Saturday.

2021 champion DuQuoin had the top qualifying time in the 4x400m Relay (4:07.78) ahead of Winnebago (4:09.27) and Eureka (4:09.29).

Jenae Bothe of Oregon had a commanding lead after the preliminaries of the Shot Put. She had a leading put of 43-2.5 to lead al qualifiers. Kayla Braun of Sparta had a 40-0.75 put to put her closest to Bothe. Defending champion Olivia Campbell of Pittsfield threw a season’s best of 139-4 to lead all qualifiers in the Discus. Cassidy Clark of Mt. Pulaski is closest to Campbell with a 134-5.5 throw.

Megan Williams of Newark (37-0) and Brynlee Keeran of Catlin Salt Fork (36-3.5) are nearly two feet are nearly two feet ahead of the rest of the field in the Triple Jump.