Folders |
DyeStat IL – IHSA 2A Girls State Track and Field Meet PreviewPublished by
Cahokia is set to repeat; Can Gilbert complete the distance triple crown?
By Michael Newman
Cahokia’s Girls team is following the example set by their Boys team when it comes to state championships. They are starting their own little streak. Beginning Friday morning, they will go after the quest of defending their state championship. It will come down to the legs of Mariya Hudson who could score pick up big points. Kaneland has great relays and individuals that could pick up enough points to surpass the defending champions.
Peoria Notre Dame’s Maryjeanne Gilbert was dominant during the fall when she captured the 2A state cross country championship. She could complete the distance triple crown by winning the 3200 and 1600 on Saturday. The possibility is good. She has the fastest seeded times in the 3200 and the 1600.
Here is a look at each of the individual events that will be contested this weekend. A preview of the top teams follows the individual events.
4 x 800 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 8:59.03 – Wheaton-Warrenville South - 2012 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 9:17.32 – Yorkville - 2011 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 9:35.65 - Sterling 2015 2A Sectional Best – 9:35.65 - Sterling 2015 Seasonal Best – 9:11.96 - Palatine
Outlook – This event will be up for grabs. The top 8 teams from sectionals are only separated by five seconds. Montini Catholic will be one of the favorites in this event. They return three from last year’s second place team led by Emma Makowski. They traditionally run good at state. Sterling had the fastest sectional time winning the Galena Sectional. They have a solid quartet led by Megan Barnhart. Rockford Boylan return the nucleus of their 3rd place team from last year. They will be a threat. Washington, Rosary, Normal University, Dunlap, and Kaneland all have the talent to win this state championship. It could take a time in the mid 9:20’s to win.
4 x 100 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 46.04 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East - 2014 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 47.53 – Springfield Southeast - 2012 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 48.35 – Chicago Morgan Park 2015 2A Sectional Best – 48.73 – Chicago Morgan Park 2015 Seasonal Best – 47.31 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East
Outlook – Morgan Park has the fastest sectional time and best time during the season. They should be the favorites in this event as they have the best seasonal time by half a second. Then it is Springfield Southeast, Cahokia, Kankakee and Kaneland all within two tenths of a second. Southeast traditionally is strong in this event. It won’t be any different this year. Cahokia ran 48.87 at their county meet. Last week in their sectional they ran 49.69. Kankakee will be a threat anchored by Tyjuana Eason. They finished third a year ago with three athletes back. Kaneland is a solid squad that could end up with the win. Trinity will have Anna Sloan anchoring and will also be a threat.
3200 Meter Run
IHSA State Meet Record – 9:56.96 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock - 2011 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 9:56.96 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock - 2011 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 10:37.90 – Maryjeanne Gilbert (JR) – Peoria Notre Dame 2015 2A Sectional Best – 10:44.08 – Maryjeanne Gilbert (JR) – Peoria Notre Dame 2015 Seasonal Best – 10:34.55 – Judy Pendergast (SR) – Naperville North
Outlook – Maryjeanne Gilbert is the defending champion in this event and will be the big favorite on Saturday. She has run 10:37 during the season. Last week at the Dunlap Sectional, she won easily by 20 seconds ahead of Abby Jockisch (Dunlap HS). It is hard to see anyone getting close to Gilbert in this race. Caitlyn Allen (Marengo HS) tried to push the pace indoors at the Top Times Championships before Gilbert pulled away in the second half of the race. Someone will need to take a chance pushing early to see if Gilbert will break. That is a tough thing to due to this Notre Dame junior. Do not be surprised if she runs in the low 10:20’s.
Allen and Jockisch will be in front of the chase pack. Vivian Overbeck (Vernon Hills HS), Kate Jacobs (Woodstock HS), and Briana Bower (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) all are capable of going under 11 minutes. Grace Oetting (Charleston HS), Jackie Schane (Plano HS), and Lauren Whitehouse (Mahomet-Seymour could all be in the mix of that front pack.
100 Meter Hurdles
IHSA State Meet Record – 13.54 – Dawn Harper – East St. Louis-Senior - 2001 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 13.87 – Shamier Little – Chicago Lindblom - 2013 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 14.51 – Raynesha Lewis (JR) - Cahokia 2015 2A Sectional Best – 14.51 – Raynesha Lewis (JR) – Cahokia 2015 Seasonal Best – 13.66 – Jayla Stewart (SR) – Homewood-Flossmoor
Outlook – Raynesha Lewis was hampered by a stress fracture before the season started. She has healed nicely with her sectional time as evidence. She will be the athlete to watch in this event. Chante Stonewall (Normal University HS) finished fourth a year ago. She ran a seasonal best 14.92 last week in winning the Dunlap Sectional. Even though she prefers the longer hurdle race, she will be a threat in this event. Imani Carothers (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) will be the other threat for Lewis. She ran 14.81 in the middle of April. Even though she is only a freshman, she handles the pressure of the big race like a senior. Keep an eye on her.
Dontavia Howard (Springfield Southeast HS) has emerged as one of the top hurdlers this spring. The sophomore could be a surprise in this event. Tiara Smith (Richwoods HS, Peoria), Hannah Vanderheyden (Geneseo HS), and Jordyn Bunning (Vernon Hills HS) are athletes also to watch that could finish in the top five.
100 Meter Dash
IHSA State Meet Record – 11.41 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park – 2004 Morolake Akinosun – Aurora Waubonsie Valley - 2012 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 11.48 – Charday Crawford – Springfield Southeast - 2012 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 11.78 – Dominique Lewis (SR) – Champaign Centennial 2015 2A Sectional Best – 12.12 – Dominique Lewis (SR) – Champaign Centennial 2015 Seasonal Best – 11.78 – Dominique Lewis (SR) – Champaign Centennial
Outlook – This could be one of the best races of the 2A meet. Dominique Lewis has the fastest 100 in the state regardless of conditions. Lewis’ sectional time (12.12) is only three hundredths ahead of Anna Sloan (Trinity HS, River Forest). The two will be challenging each other for the state championship. Mariya Hudson (Cahokia HS) ran 11.95 to finish second to Lewis at Centralia in April. She will be a threat in the front. Jenniba Johnson (Triad HS, Troy) lost in a photo finish at last week’s sectional race. Do not discount her either.
The Morgan Park pair of Jada Laye and Kelsie Prear could finish in the top five in this event. Tredaja Harris (Mt. Vernon HS) and Lizzie Rupkey (Monticello HS) could also challenge for all-state spots. The conditions on Saturday should be good for fast times. It could take 11.90 – 11.95 to win this state final.
800 Meter Run
IHSA State Meet Record – 2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton – Rockton Hononegah - 2013 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 2:10.73 – Karina Liz – Aurora Central Catholic - 2014 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 2:11.80 – Karina Liz (JR) – Aurora Central Catholic 2015 2A Sectional Best – 2:13.17 – Karina Liz (JR) – Aurora Central Catholic 2015 Seasonal Best – 2:11.27 – Michaela Hackbarth (SR) – Downers Grove South
Outlook – Karina Liz is the defending champion and 2A record holder in this event. She is hungry to defend her title. More importantly, she wants to go after Courtney Clayton’s state record. Liz ran 2:11.80 in less than optimal conditions at the Kane County Championships at the end of April. Her racing shows that she could get close or even past that record.
She could have some athletes pushing her early. None of the athletes in this event are within six seconds of Liz’s seasonal best. Noelle Espino (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) had a big win at the Galena Sectional ahead of Dallas Clevenger (Rock Falls HS). You can expect both runners towards the front. Kara Martin (Herrin HS) qualified in all three distance events. If she concentrates in this event, she could play a factor in the first runners. Lauren Katz (Vernon Hills HS), Lexi Grieves (Metamora HS), and Emma Makowski (Montini Catholic HS, Lombard) are some of the athletes that could challenge for an all-state finish.
4 x 200 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 1:36.86 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East - 2013 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 1:40.09 – Springfield Southeast - 2013 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 1:42.72 – Springfield Southeast 2015 2A Sectional Best – 1:43.14 – Richton Park Rich South 2015 Seasonal Best – 1:40.44 – Oak Park-River Forest
Outlook – Rich South sizzled a 1:43.15 sectional leading time to win at Kankakee putting them as a favorite in this event. Springfield Southeast has the fastest 2A time in this relay and will be a quartet that needs to be watched. Morgan Park looked good in winning their sectional running 1:44.37. Do not count them out either. Clinton, Galesburg, and Kaneland are teams that could also come away from Charleston with the state championship.
400 Meter Dash
IHSA State Meet Record – 52.63 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 54.19 – Shamier Little – Chicago Lindblom - 2012 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 56.03 – Mariya Hudson (SO) - Cahokia 2015 2A Sectional Best – 56.99 – Mariya Hudson (SO) - Cahokia 2015 Seasonal Best – 54.80 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township
Outlook – Defending 2A champion Mariya Hudson will be the runner to beat in this event. Her seasonal time of 56.03 is almost a second and a half faster than the rest of the field. It would not surprise me if she dips close to or under 55 seconds in the final. Allie Heinzler (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) is a threat to finish in the top three in this race. She has run 57.49 this season. Deven Bax (Lincoln-Way West HS, New Lenox) has dropped her time down two seconds in the last month. She could be a surprise in this event. Karina Liz just missed qualifying for the finals last year. The state list leader in the 800 will be in the mix. She has the fifth fastest 2A time this season.
Rachel Cobert (Erie-Prophetstown HS) and Sophie Strckler (Harvard HS) could finish in the top three. Gabrielle DesRosiers (North Lawndale Charter, Chicago) could be a surprise in the front in this race.
300 Meter Hurdles
IHSA State Meet Record – 40.61 – Shalina Clarke – Evanston Township - 2005 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 42.14 – Markita Rush – East St. Louis-Senior - 2013 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 44.37 – Chante Stonewall (JR) – Normal University 2015 2A Sectional Best – 44.37 – Chante Stonewall (JR) - Normal University 2015 Seasonal Best – 43.09 – Jenny Kimbro (JR) – Sidell Jamaica (COOP)
Outlook – It was an unbelievable finish in last year’s state final when Chante Stonewall won the race where the first four runners were separated by only fifteen hundredths of a second. With Fenwick’s Grace Cronin now in 3A, Stonewall will be the big favorite in this race. Her sectional time is almost two seconds faster than anyone else that qualified. Taylor Smith (Mattoon HS), Alison Woerner (Glenwood HS, Chatham), Haley Widder (Washington HS), and Aliyah Welter (Monticello HS) will challenge each other for a top three finish. Gianna Salzbrunn (Montini Catholic HS, Lombard) could also be a threat this weekend.
1600 Meter Run
IHSA State Meet Record – 4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock - 2011 IHSA 2A State Meet Record - 4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie – Woodstock - 2011 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 5:01.56 – Maryjeanne Gilbert (JR) – Peoria Notre Dame 2015 2A Sectional Best – 5:01.56 – Maryjeanne Gilbert (JR) – Peoria Notre Dame 2015 Seasonal Best – 4:54.00 – Kelly O’Brien (JR) - Palatine
Outlook – This race could come down to three runners. Maryjeanne Gilbert has the fastest 2A time in the 1600. She will also be coming back from the 3200. Emily Martin and Madison Ronzone (Rosary HS, Aurora) will both be coming back from the 3200 Relay. Ronzone likes to set the pace. Martin likes to sit off the pace and kick at the end. Martin ran 5:03.04 to win the Plano sectional with Ronzone four seconds back. It should be close between these three runners with a sub 5 time needed to win this race.
Abby Fioresi (Aurora Central Catholic) ran 5:11 at the end of April and could be a threat in this race. Margaret McPherson (Sterling HS), Miranda Krusiwyk (Dunlap HS), and Shelby Siltman (Olympia HS, Stanford) are some of the runners that could challenge for a top five finish.
200 Meter Dash
IHSA State Meet Record – 23.32 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 24.05 – Shamier Little – Chicago Lindblom - 2013 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 24.55 – Tyjuana Eason (SR) - Kankakee 2015 2A Sectional Best – 24.55 – Tyjuana Eason (SR) - Kankakee 2015 Seasonal Best – 24.46 – Brittny Ellis (SR) – Gurnee Warren Township
Outlook – This sprint final is deep with any number of sprinters able to win this race. Anna Sloan, Dominique Lewis, and Mariya Hudson are all capable of running in the 24’s. Tyjuana Eason ran the fastest 2A time in the state in winning her sectional race. She will challenge for the win. Tina Martin (Eisenhower HS, Decatur) is another runner to keep an eye on. The freshman ran a 24.71 PR last week in winning her sectional race. She will definitely be a threat. Jada Laye (Morgan Park HS, Chicago) and Amber Jones (Rich South HS, Richton Park) are sprinters that could challenge for a top three finish as well.
4 x 400 Meter Relay
IHSA State Meet Record – 3:45.14 – East St. Louis-Lincoln - 1984 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 3:52.64 – Richton Park Rich South - 2012 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 3:56.89 – Chicago Morgan Park 2015 2A Sectional Best – 4:00.12 - Galesburg 2015 Seasonal Best – 3:52.19 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East
Outlook – Even though Galesburg ran the fastest sectional time in the state last week, the team to watch in this event is Morgan Park. The Chicago Public League school ran 3:56.89 three weeks ago at Wheaton-Warrenville South and have the pieces to run faster this weekend. A high finish could give Kaneland a team championship. Watch for them towards the front in Saturday’s final. Springfield Southeast, Dunlap, Erie-Prophetstown, and Cahokia are teams that will also be challenging for the win.
Field Events
Long Jump
IHSA State Meet Record – 20-9 – Alexandria Anderson – Chicago Morgan Park - 2005 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 19-5 ¾ - Alexandria Harden – Springfield Southeast - 2011 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 18-6 ¾ - Mariya Hudson (SO) - Cahokia 2015 2A Sectional Best – 18-4 ¾ - Alison Woerner (SO) – Chatham Glenwood 2015 Seasonal Best – 20-1 ½ - Briana Driver (SR) – Chicago Mother McAuley
Outlook – This could be a close final with four 2A athletes going past 18 feet. Three of those athletes qualified for Charleston. Mariya Hudson has the longest 2A jump in the state. She also has jumped over 18 feet four times this outdoor season. Alison Woerner has come on strong the past few weeks improving more than a foot. The sophomore could be the surprise in this event. Don’t let the 17-0 jump that Imani Carothers (Brooks College Prep, Chicago) did at her sectional meet. She jumped 18-4 ¾ three weeks ago at the Chicago Public League Championships. She could be a threat for the championship. Leona Burton (Morris HS), Gillian Urycki (Metamora HS), and Gianna Salzbrunn (Montini Catholic, Lombard) could also play a part of who finishes in the top three in this competition.
Triple Jump
IHSA State Meet Record – 41-5 – Deana Simmons – Decatur MacArthur - 1996 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 39-4 ¼ - Kawanna Brooks – Chicago Kenwood - 2009 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 39-8 – Jaimie Robinson (SO) – Chicago DeLaSalle Institute 2015 2A Sectional Best – 39-8 – Jaimie Robinson (SO) – Chicago DeLaSalle Institute 2015 Seasonal Best – 41-6 ¼ - LaJarvia Brown (JR) - Alton
Outlook – Jamie Robinson is peaking at the right time. She jumped an outdoor season’s best 39-8 in winning her sectional last week. She has the best 2A jump this year by over two feet ahead of her nearest competition. She will break the 2A record if she repeats her sectional performance. Robinson could also go over 40 feet.
Vicky Gruszka (Notre Dame HS, Peoria) and Sierra Brown (Trinity HS, River Forest) are the only 2A athletes that have gone past 37 feet this season. They will be Robinson’s closest competition. Also watch for Mya Garrett (Thornridge HS, Dolton), Hasana Huff (Carmel Catholic HS, Mundelein), Rachel Cobert (Erie-Prophetstown HS), and Raynesha Lewis (Cahokia HS) to challenge for one of the top spots. This event could be wide open. Also keep an eye on Gillian Uryicki (Metamora HS),
High Jump
IHSA State Meet Record – 5-11 – Melinda Morris – Buffalo Tri-City - 1980 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 5-9 ½ - Sara Maxson – Springfield - 2010 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 5-8 ½ - Jamari Drake (JR) – Springfield Southeast 2015 2A Sectional Best – 5-6 – Christina MacNab (JR) – New Lenox Providence Catholic 2015 Seasonal Best – 5-9 – Emma Haugen (SR) – LaGrange Lyons Township
Outlook – Jamari Drake cleared 5-8 ½ at the beginning of April. She has cleared 5-6 or better four times this outdoor season. She will be one of the favorites in this event. Teammate Lunden Henry has only cleared 5-6 twice outdoors, but she did defeat Drake at the Illinois Top Times Championships at the end of March. She is also an athlete to watch. Christina MacNab had the best sectional clearance last week. She should also be in the mix for the championship. Other athletes to keep an eye on in this event include Gillian Urycki (Metamora HS) who finished fourth last year, Nadia Miller (North Lawndale Prep, Chicago), and Jacqueline Pytel (Hampshire HS).
Pole Vault
IHSA State Meet Record – 13-4 – Lindsey Murray – Harrisburg HS - 2014 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 13-4 - Lindsey Murray – Harrisburg HS - 2014 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 12-7 – Claire Buck (SR) – Troy Triad 2015 2A Sectional Best – 12-3 – Kassadee Ifft (JR) – Fairbury Prairie Central 2015 Seasonal Best – 13-0 – Morgan Zacharias (SR) – Braidwood Reed Custer
Outlook – This will be a close competition. Clare Buck cleared 12-7 at the beginning of the month at Collinsville which was a personal best for her. Kassadee Ifft cleared 12-3 last week to win her sectional competition, but cleared 12-6 Monday at the Honor Roll Meet in Urbana. She is peaking at the right time. Either of these athletes could win but it will take a clearance of 13-0 to achieve that.
There is a foot drop off between these two athletes and the rest of the field. Other athletes to watch in this event include Betsy Lovett (Clinton HS), Aliyah Welter (Monticello HS), Katie Reeves (Normal University HS), Josie Held (Mt. Zion HS), and Laryn Sapetti (Rochester HS).
Shot Put
IHSA State Meet Record – 50-9 ½ - Emmonnie Henderson – Edwardsville - 2013 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 49-10 ½ - Daniella Bunch – Mahomet-Seymour - 2009 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 43-7 – Tayla Schwarz (FR) - Dixon 2015 2A Sectional Best – 43-7 - Tayla Schwarz (FR) - Dixon 2015 Seasonal Best – 50-10 – Kathleen Young (SO) – Warrensburg-Latham
Outlook – This could be the best of the 2A Field events this weekend. The top three athletes’ seasonal bests are only separated by three inches. It’s a toss-up on who will finish on top of the awards podium. Kayla Schwarz has gone past 42 feet three times this year including her 2A leading 43-7 at last week’s Galena Sectional. Lativia Maines (Centralia HS) had a two foot personal best of 43-5 ½ in winning the Triad Sectional. Cassidy Osborne-Butler (Mt. Zion HS) perhaps has been the most consistent of the three athletes having gone past 42 feet six times this outdoor season. Her seasonal best is 43-4. It will be a great competition with anyone of these ladies taking home the state championship.
Other athletes to watch for include Fahrenheit Ridley (Carver Academy, Chicago), Allison Richter (Triad HS, Troy), Colbi Schertz (Princeton HS), and Christina Meinhardt (Wauconda HS).
Discus
IHSA State Meet Record – 167-4 – Kelsey Card – Carlinville - 2010 IHSA 2A State Meet Record – 143-9 – Hannah Baker – Marion - 2009 2015 2A Seasonal Best – 143-7 – Elle Alexander (SR) – Chatham-Glenwood 2015 2A Sectional Best – 133-0 – Christina Meinhardt (SR) - Wauconda 2015 Seasonal Best – 159-8 – Kathleen Young (SO) – Warrensburg-Latham
Outlook – Even though Elle Alexander only threw 113-9 last week, it was good enough for her to qualify for state. She would be the one athlete to watch. Alexander has thrown past 133 feet twice including a 2A state leading 143-7 at the end of April. Christina Meinhardt threw a seasonal best 133-0 to win last week at Vernon Hills. She will be one of the athletes to challenge Alexander for the win. Emily Kauffman (Mahomet-Seymour HS) threw a seasonal best 132-11 Monday night. She will also be towards the front. Also watch for Allison Richter (Triad HS, Troy), Tayla Schwarz (Dixon HS), and Meegan Massey (Watseka HS).
Top Teams to Watch
Cahokia State Qualifiers – 12 Total: 9 Individuals, 3 Relays
Outlook – The defending state champs are back and could be stronger than last year. At the same time, it could be close for them. They will need to depend on three athletes that will score the bulk of their points. Mariya Hudson will be the favorite in the Long Jump and the 400. She will also score big points in the 100 and the 200. Raynesha Lewis has the fastest seed time in the 100 Hurdles. She could also score points in the Long Jump and Triple Jump. Takyra Buford could score points in both hurdle races. Their relays could score points. With Hudson in four individual events, she will be unavailable for relay duty. Lewis could be in the 400 or 800 Relay. Cahokia has good sprint depth that could put them in the top five in the 400 or 800 Relays.
Chatham-Glenwood State Qualifiers – 10 Total: 6 Individuals, 4 Relays
Outlook – This is a sneaky good team that not too many people have talked about this season. They could be talking about the Titans by the end of Saturday. Sophomore Alison Woerner could score big points for her team in both the Long Jump and the 300 Hurdles. Elle Alexander has the top throw this season in the Discus. She should get big points also. Erica Rideout could get points in the 800. All four relays could make the finals results in points. Their 800 Meter Relay could be the best bet to finish in the first five.
Chicago Morgan Park State Qualifiers – 8 Total: 5 Individuals, 3 Relays
Outlook – There is not much room for mistakes from this team this weekend, but the quality is there to get some big points. Jada Laye and Kelsie Prear are good bets to score in both the 100 and 200 Meter Dashes. It would be a bonus if Likkaya Keyes makes the 400 finals. Their 400 and 800 Relays are top seeded going into this meet. Expect big points in both events. The meet could come down to the 1600 Relay. Morgan Park could score points in that event as well.
Dunlap State Qualifiers – 12 Total; 9 Individuals, 3 Relays
Outlook – This is another team that could sneak into the top three. Dunlap has a strong young distance team that could score this team some major points. Abby Jockisch should be among the top five in the 3200 and could also score points in the 1600. Miranda Krusiwyk could also pick up points in the 1600. Their 3200 Relay is one of the top ranked teams in this meet. Expect points from them as well. Freshman Aanise Sajna could be a surprise in the 100. Points could also be expected in the 1600 Relay.
Maple Park Kaneland State Qualifiers – 11 Total; 7 Individuals, 4 Relays
Outlook – This is the one team that I would keep an eye on. They could be the biggest threat to Cahokia for the state team championship. Their relays are the biggest strength for this team. All could make the finals. All four of the relays could place third or better in this meet. Noelle Espino could finish in the first three in the 800. Allie Heinzer has the same expectations in the 400. She could pick up bonus points in the 100. Brianna Bower qualified in both the 3200 and 1600. Chances are good that she finishes in the first five in the 3200. She could get bonus points in the 1600.
Monticello State Qualifiers – 10 Total; 8 Individuals, 2 Relays
Outlook – The Lady Sages could find their way into the top five in this meet. Lizzie Rupkey could place in both the 100 and 200. She will also be a part of their 400 and 800 Relays. Both could place in Saturday’s finals. Olivia Ness could make the finals of the 100 Hurdles. Aliyah Welter has a chance to place in the first five in the Pole Vault.
Normal University State Qualifiers – 6 Total: 5 Individuals, 1 Relay
Outlook – There is no room for mistakes for the Pioneers if they want to return back to Normal with a state trophy. Chante Stonewall has the top seeded times in the 100 and 300 Hurdles and could score 20 points for her team. Katie Reeves and Lauren Seaver could pick up double digit points in the Pole Vault. Ashley Lafayette finished fifth in her sectional race, but she could be a surprise making the finals. She will also be a part of the 3200 Relay that could finish in the first three.
Peoria Notre Dame State Qualifiers – 9 Total: 6 Individuals, 3 Relays
Outlook – Here is another team that does not have room for mistakes if they want to earn a state trophy. Maryjeanne Gilbert will be the big favorite in the 3200 and will be among the favorites in the 1600. Vicky Gruszka should place in both the Long Jump and the Triple Jump. Notre Dame could score points in the 3200 Relay. It would be a bonus if the Irish scored points in the 1600 Relay.
Springfield Southeast State Qualifiers – 10 Total: 7 Individuals, 3 Relays
Outlook – This is another team that could challenge Cahokia for the state championship. They should score qualify for the Saturday finals in all three relays. They should score big points in all three of those events. Jamari Drake and Lunden Henry could get their team double digit points in the High Jump. Drake could get some bonus points in the 200. Dontavia Howard has been a surprise in the 100 Hurdles. She could place in the first five. Alexis Henry will score points in the 400.
More news |
