Preview: IHSA Girls State Track and Field Championships - 2A Girls Teams

By Michael Newman

Normal University ran away from South Shore International by 17.5 points to win last year’s Class 2A title. U-High should have the edge in this meet on Friday and Saturday. Tolono Unity, Troy Triad, and Eureka may have something to say about the Pioneers chances. Here is a look at 10 teams to keep an eye on this weekend.

10 Storylines to follow

Normal (University)

Qualifiers – 18 Total: 14 Individuals, 4 Relays

Notes – The defending 2A State Champions are in good position to repeat their title this weekend. The Pioneers scored 157 points to win the Pontiac Sectional qualifying in 15 of 18 events. Zoe Carter will pick up big points in the distance events. She is ranked #2 in the 3200 and among the runners to watch in the 1600 Meter Run. She will pick up big points in her final U-High meet. They qualified for state in all four relays. They have the fastest time in the state in Class 2A in the 4x1, second fastest in the 4x2, and third fastest in the 4x4. Their team is #7 in the 4x8 and should also score points there. Hannah Safranek should pick up big points in the 100 Meter Hurdles as well as the 200 Meter Dash. Caty Minton could finish in the 400 Meter Dash. Isabella Thurston will be one of the favorites in the Shot Put and will also score big points in the Discus. Mackenzie Matejka won the Discus at Pontiac and will be challenging for the state win. Emily Gross will contend for points in the High Jump.

Tolono (Unity)

Qualifiers – 16 Total: 12 Individuals, 4 Relays

Notes – One of the teams that will challenge U-High for the state title. The Rockets won the Monticello Sectional with 138 points. Ashlyn Denney qualified in the 400 Meter Dash and the 800 Meter Run. She will score in both events. Emily Decker could finish among the top five in the 3200 Meter Run and get points in the 1600 Meter Run. Lauren Shaw is among the top 10 in the Discus and should earn All-State honors. Ava Jones could also score in the Long Jump. Their quartet in the 4x800 Meter Relay is ranked #5 in Class 2A and will contend for the state title. They have the second fastest time in the 4x400 Meter Relay and could contend also for that title. Their other two relays also made it to state. It would be a bonus for both relays to make it to Saturday.

Troy (Triad)

Qualifiers – 13 Total: 10 Individuals, 3 Relays

Notes – There was an idea that the Knights would contend for a state trophy at the end of March with the emergence of Sophia Schardan. The junior stepped up in a big way dominating both sprint events. It could be the same story for her as she will go after two individual state titles, anchoring two relays, and maybe helping her team get a state trophy. Schardan has the top 2A times in the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. Triad has the top 2A time in the state in the 4x200 Meter Relay and fourth in the 4x100 Meter Relay. Ava Gallia may be in the hunt for the 300 Meter Hurdles. Mikayla Niehaus also made the 300 Hurdles and could advance to the finals. Makenna Witham could get points for her team in the Long Jump and possibly the Triple Jump.

Eureka

Qualifiers – 16 Total: 12 Individuals. 4 Relays

Notes – It won’t be a surprise if Eureka leaves Charleston. The Hornets finished eighth at last year’s state meet and have 16 qualifiers to support their strength. Nyameye Maison ran the third fastest 2A time in the 400 Meter Dash and could challenge for the win. Sophia Watson could get team points in the 800 Meter Run. Meika Bender could be among the top eight in the 1600 Meter Run. Brenna Metzger qualified for the 300 Meter Hurdles and might make the finals. Reagan Bishop is among the top three and will be one of the favorites in a wide-open Pole Vault. Eureka is #4 in the 4x800 Meter Relay and should score big points in that event. Their quartet in the 4x400 has the fastest time in Class 2A and will be one of the favorites in this meet. Eureka has an outside chance to make it to the finals in both the sprint relays.

Mt. Zion

Qualifiers – 15 Total: 11 Individuals. 4 Relays

Notes – Mt. Zion made the top ten in last year’s meet tying for ninth place. A top five finish is a strong possibility for the Braves. Brooklyn Kondritz is the defending state champion in the Pole Vault and could repeat on Saturday. Her teammate Alexa Weter is among the top six in the same event and could earn an all-state status. Kondritz also qualified in the 400 Meter Dash and might advance to Saturday. Kendall Smith jumped a personal best and the longest mark in 2A in the Triple Jump. She will be one of the event favorites. Smith will also compete in both hurdle races where she could finish in the top five in both. Avery Sommer ran 5:12 earlier this year and could make the finals if she runs under 5:10. Sommer will also be a part of the quartet in the 4x800 Meter Relay that could be a top six team on Saturday. The Braves are among the top five teams in the 4x400 Meter Relay which could set them up for big points.

Chicago (South Shore International)

Qualifiers – 10 Total: 8 Individuals, 2 Relays

Notes – South Shore’s state meet last year was memorable winning their first program’s history placing second. Their numbers are down this season, but they do have the quality athletes that could challenge for a trophy. Jordan Hamb will defend her title in the 100 Meter Hurdles and has the fastest time in Class 2A at 13.99. She will be a part of the Tars’ quartet in the 4x100 Meter Relay that might score points. Hamb has the second longest mark in the Long Jump and contend for a state title. She could also score in the Triple Jump. Hamb is currently ranked #7 in the state. Kylee Gardner has the third longest mark in the Triple Jump and could challenge for the win. Gardner finished second in the Long Jump at her sectional and could get some points in that event. Leah Smith qualified in both the 200 Meter Dash and the 400 Meter Dash. She could score points in the 400.

East St. Louis

Qualifiers – 10 Total: 7 Individuals, 3 Relays

Notes – The Flyerettes are young but experienced and could finish among the top five teams on Saturday. Eastside again does have some relays that could pick up points. They are ranked #7 in the 4x200 Meter Relay and #4 in the 4x400 Meter Relay. The Flyerettes could also pick up points in the 4x100 Meter Relay. Dariyah Ford could score points in the Shot Put. Je'Tira Taylor could be in the hunt to make it to the finals of the 200 Meter Dash. Kendra Jennings is a sophomore and someone to watch in the 100 Meter Hurdles after winning last week at Williamsville.

Metamora

Qualifiers – 9 Total: 7 Individuals, 2 Relays

Notes – Metamora won by half a point last week at Rock Falls and could set goals that have them finishing among the top 10 teams in Class 2A. Baylie Nena, just a freshman, won both hurdles races last week at sectionals and might score in both events. Nena also qualified for state in the High Jump. She possibly could make it to the finals. Naomi Roth could also make it to the finals in the same event. The Redbirds advanced their 4x2 team to state and could make it to the finals. Their quartet in the 4x400 Meter Relay has 4:07 this season. Their time dropping near 4:04 puts them in scoring position on Saturday.

Marion

Qualifiers – 10 Total: 7 Individuals, 3 Relays

Notes – A team that could be among the top five teams by the end of the meet on Saturday. Brenna Stearns qualified for both hurdle events. The longer race could be her best. Stearns ran the second fastest time in Class 2A and will be one of the favorites. Isa Greer ran a personal best last week in qualifying for the 100 Meter Dash. The junior with another great race might make the finals. Emma Skeate is among the top five athletes in the Shot Put and could challenge for a top three finish. Skeate also made state in the Discus and might pick up points in that weight event.

Chicago (DePaul College Prep)

Qualifiers – 13 Total: 11 Individuals, 2 Relays

Notes – A good prelim session on Friday morning could put the Rams in contention for a top five finish on Saturday. Emily Stecky has the fastest time in the 2A 800 Meter Run. She will be one of the favorites in that event. Stecky and Abigail Radich both qualified in the 1600 Meter Run. Both could score big points for their team. DePaul has the sixth fastest time in the 4x800 Meter Relay and will challenge for the 4x8 title. The Rams might be able to get points in the 4x400 Meter Relay. Caysie Bradley has the longest throw in the state in the Discus and could come home with a state title.