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2019 IHSA Girls State Track & Field Championships - Class 2A Preview

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ILXCTF - Mike Newman   May 15th 2019, 6:02pm
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By Michael Newman

[email protected]

 

The Class 2A Team State Championship could come down to Springfield Southeast and East St. Louis Senior challenging for the title. More so, it could come down to the depth of the Flyerettes going up against the individual accomplishments of Southeast’s Serena Bolden and Raven Moore.

Bolden is destined for big things in this meet for her quest for four state championships. Moore is also could be in the hunt for three wins. Two of the events she qualified in are races with her teammate Bolden.

East St. Louis-Senior finished second in last year’s state meet behind Dunlap who is now in the Class 3A Meet. They have the top seed times in three of the four relays and second in the other. The name of the game for them is advancing in all four from the prelims on Friday morning.

There are many other storylines to keep an eye on in Class 2A. Here is a look at each of the 18 events that will be contested this weekend in Charleston. Class 2A athletes will go through their preliminary session Friday morning starting with field events at 8:00 AM and running events at 9:00 AM with the finals beginning on Saturday at 10:00 AM.

 

2A SECTIONAL HIGHLIGHTSCLASS 2A STATE FINAL QUALIFIERS

CLASS 1A PREVIEW | CLASS 3A PREVIEW | STATE MEET TIME SCHEDULE

WATCH THE MEET LIVE ON NFHS

(*) = Defending 2A State Champion

 

FIELD EVENTS

 

LONG JUMP

IHSA State Meet Record

20’ 9” - Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park - 2005

2019 State Best

19’ 10.50 – Raelyn Roberson (JR), Glenbrook South

2019 Class 2A Best

19’ 9” – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

19’ 0” – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2018 2A State Meet Champion

19’ 11.25” – Erika Furbeck, Geneseo

Preview – This could be win #1 in this meet for Serena Bolden. She finished fourth as a sophomore and third last year as a junior. Bolden heads into this meet with more than an 18-inch advantage ahead of the rest of the field. She has the top five Class 2A meet performances ahead of the rest of the qualifiers.

In reality, the challenge will be for the second spot in this competition. There are only three other athletes that have gone past 18-feet in Class 2A. Sophomore Tanaya Young of Rantoul has a best of 18-3.50 that she accomplished at Urbana at the end of April. Another sophomore Lauren Doerr of Morton jumped 18-3.25 in her sectional meet last week. Gina Misek of Morris achieved a personal best jumping 18-0 in her sectional win at LaSalle-Peru.

East St. Louis-Senior’s Alaysha Hudson and Ahmia Dorsey both qualified in this event and could challenge for finishes in the top five. Regan Dineen of Marian Catholic, Diamonasia Taylor of Urbana, and Arianna Walker of Rich South all have the ability to finish in the top five.

 

TRIPLE JUMP

IHSA State Meet Record

42’ 8.50” - Jaimie Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor - 2017

2019 State Best

40’ 3.50” – Riley Ammenhauser (SO), Neuqua Valley

2019 Class 2A Best

40’ 1.25” – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

39’ 4.50” – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2018 2A State Meet Champion

40’ 3” – Imani Carothers, Brooks College Prep

PreviewSerena Bolden finished fourth last year and third as a sophomore in this event. She could be in line for a state title in this event. Bolden, with her 40-1.25 seasonal best, is more than a foot ahead of the rest of the competition.

She is not a lock to win this event. Tiera Robinson-Jones of Evergreen Park only had a 35-7 jump to qualify for state. Don’t be fooled by that. The junior has two jumps over 39-feet including a 39-2 best. I would not count her out in this event.

The favorable weather conditions this weekend could produce some long marks. Alaysha Hudson of East St. Louis-Senior has jumped 38-8 and could be a surprise in this event. Morgan Pilate of Mt. Zion, Bianca Huddson of Herrin, and Jokeyla Ryce of Thornridge are also athletes that will challenge for a finish in the top five.

 

HIGH JUMP

IHSA State Meet Record

6’ 0” - Jelena Rowe, Bloom Township - 2017

2019 State Best

5’ 10” – Grace Daun (SR), Wauconda

5’ 10” – Diamonasia Taylor (JR), Urbana

2019 Class 2A Best

5’ 10” – Diamonasia Taylor (JR), Urbana

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

5’ 5” – Breya Christopher (SR), Galena

5’ 5” – Diamonasia Taylor (JR), Urbana

2018 2A State Meet Champion

5’ 7” – *Diamonasia Taylor, Urbana

Preview – Injuries slowed down Diamonasia Taylor at the beginning of this season as she only finished second indoors at Illinois Top Times. She has been on fire during the outdoor season and looks ready to win her third straight state championship in this discipline. She sent a message to the rest of the state when she cleared 5-10 on Monday at the News-Gazette Honor Roll Meet. She’s undefeated in her last seven meets. The junior could make it eight in Charleston.

Breya Christopher of Galena cleared 5-5 like Taylor did last week in her sectional meet and will be in competition for a top three finish along with Mattoon’s Mariah Bell and Kaci Papin of Hillsboro. Sarah Flight of Charleston, Mary Gegen of Rochester, Carly Tucker of Metamora, and Maddie Andelbradt of Wheaton St. Francis are some of the other athletes to keep an eye on in this meet. Especially watch for Tucker in this event. The junior has only cleared 5-4 outdoors but did clear 5-6 indoors to win the Illinois Top Times Championship ahead of Taylor.

 

POLE VAULT

IHSA State Meet Record

13’ 4” – Lindsey Murray, Harrisburg - 2014

2019 State Best

13’ 0” – Windsor Roberts (SO), Downs Tri-Valley

2019 Class 2A Best

12’ 9” – Samantha Spencer (JR), Providence Catholic

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

12’ 5” – Rhiannon Held (SO), Mt. Zion

2018 2A State Meet Champion

12’ 9” – Josephine Held, Mt. Zion

Preview – Could it be another Held that holds the state title at the conclusion of this event? Rhiannon Held finished fifth last year as a freshman and cleared 12-5 last week in her sectional meet. Her sister Josephine won the state title last year.

She will have company in this meet. Samantha Spencer cleared 12-9 in April and is ready for some good weather to vault in. The junior cleared 13-1.25 indoors at the Windy City Pole Vault Summit and could have her eyes a height past that,

Lilliana Ifft of Prairie Central has cleared 12-0 and could be after bigger heights at state. Landis Brandon of Monticello, Megan Gasparaitis of Burlington Central, Alix Rule of Peoria Richwoods, and Jamie Hefley of Rochester could all be in the mix for top five finishes.

 

SHOT PUT

IHSA State Meet Record

51’ 0” – Kathleen Young, Warrensburg-Latham, 2016

2019 State Best

47’ 10” – Chloe Lindeman (SR), Fulton

2019 Class 2A Best

46’ 1” – Jayden Ulrich (SO), East Alton-Wood River

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

45’ 7” – Jayden Ulrich (SO), East Alton-Wood River

2018 2A State Meet Champion

46’ 1.25” – Evangelynn Harris, East St. Louis-Senior

PreviewJayden Ulrich has emerged as one of the top athletes in the state in this discipline after finishing fourth last year. Ulrich will be the favorite when she enters the ring for the prelims on Friday. The sophomore has the best mark in Class 2A by almost four feet.

Chandler Hayden of Pittsfield, Aliyah McDaniel of Tolono Unity, and Mye’joi Williams of Rantoul all have puts over 42-feet outdoors. All three will push Ulrich. Taylor Kenser of Highland and Daija Range of Galesburg went past 41-feet in their sectional meets and ill be factors in the top five. Columbia’s Maddie Vonderhaar and Carbondale’s Sydney Apgar are other athletes to watch for.

 

DISCUS

IHSA State Meet Record

167’ 4” – Kelsey Card, Carlinville - 2010

2019 State Best

141’ 9” – Catie Daily (SR), Machesney Park Harlem

2019 Class 2A Best

140’ 8” – Sydney Apgar (SR), Carbondale

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

137’ 11” – Sydney Apgar (SR), Carbondale

2018 2A State Meet Champion

133’ 6” – Tayla Schwarz, Dixon

PreviewSydney Apgar has the top four Class 2A throws this season and is eight feet ahead of the rest of the qualifiers. Chandler Hayden of Pittsfield finished seventh in last year’s 1A finals. She is coming on strong as evidenced by her 132-7 throw at the Lincoln Sectional. The senior is a seasoned veteran in big meets. Hayden is peaking at the right time.

Carolina Hintz of Burlington Central and Destiny Panega of Centralia have seasonal bests past 130-feet and could play a role in who wins this championship. Jayden Ulrich of East Alton-Wood River, Lanaeja Carter of Urbana, and Lydia Willis of Mendota are some of the other qualifiers in this event to watch for.

 

TRACK EVENTS

 

4x800 METER RELAY

IHSA State Meet Record

8:59.03 – Wheaton-Warrenville South - 2012

2019 State Best

9:17.63 – Mt. Prospect-Prospect

2019 Class 2A Best

9:40.61 – East St. Louis-Senior

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

9:40.61 – East St. Louis-Senior

2018 2A State Meet Champion

9:25.29 – Dunlap

Preview – This could be a crazy final with the top seven teams all with seasonal bests within 10 seconds of each other. East St. Louis-Senior ran the best 2A time in the state last week winning at Troy Triad. Geneseo, led by Josie Brown, and Normal University, led by Ella Bittner, both have times under 9:44 and will challenge for the win.

Troy Triad ran 9:47.85 behind East St. Louis-Senior in their sectional race and will be in the front. Mt. Zion is a sneaky good team that ran 9:49.48 last week and will also be a factor. Eureka, who finished second in this race last year and has two-time cross country state champ Emma Argo leading them, finished behind U-High last week and will make their presence known in the front.

Fenwick, Dixon, Rosary, Rock Falls, and Mattoon are also teams to look for. All have the talent to finish in the top five.

 

4x100 METER RELAY

IHSA State Meet Record

46.04 – Lincoln-Way East - 2014

2019 State Best

47.07 – Homewood-Flossmoor

2019 Class 2A Best

47.89 – Carbondale

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

47.89 – Carbondale

2018 2A State Meet Champion

47.25 – Dunlap

Preview – Carbondale and East St. Louis-Senior are the class of the field as they have times almost a second faster than the rest of the qualifiers. Carbondale has the edge running 47.89 last week at Triad with East St. Louis-Senior at 48.17. Carbondale has been ahead of the Flyerettes in one other meet this season They would like to make it three in a row.

Evergreen Park only ran 49.68 in rough conditions in their sectional meet last week. They do have a seasonal best of 48.66 and could play a role on the top finish outcome in this relay. Springfield Southeast and Lindblom Academy also have times under 49 seconds and could also be chasing for the win.

Kankakee, Springfield Lanphier, Rich Central, and Monticello are some of the other teams that will challenge for finishes in the top five.

 

3200 METER RUN

IHSA State Meet Record

9:56.96 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock - 2011

2019 State Best

9:59.57 – Katelynne Hart (JR), Glenbard West

2019 Class 2A Best

10:50.25 – Lydia Roller (SO), Staunton

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

11:02.01 – Aspen Gordon (SR), Morton

2018 2A State Meet Champion

11:01.86 - *Jenna Schwartz, Waterloo

Preview Jenna Schwartz pulled away from the field early and held on to win the state title in this race last spring. Schwartz will be one of the favorites in this race but will have company in the front. Lydia Roller of Staunton finished third last fall in the 1A State XC Meet and has been on the rise with her racing ever since. The sophomore has the best 2A time (10:50.25) from her race at Distance Night in Palatine and will push this race.

Aspen Gordon was in the Palatine race and ran 10:54.52. Gordon has the fastest sectional time heading to the big blue oval in Charleston on Saturday. Gordon was not that happy with the finish to her cross-country season last fall. That chip on her shoulder could drive her to big things.

It appears Olivia Rosenstein of Urbana is fully recovered from injuries that forced her to miss all of her junior cross-country season. Rosenstein looks ready to roll and could do some big things in this race. Jordan Harmon of Tolono Unity finished behind Rosenstein in the sectional race and could be among the leaders. Rachel Coon of Monticello and Meagan Moreno of Morton could also find their way into the top five places.

 

100 METER HURDLES

IHSA State Meet Record

13.54 – Dawn Harper, East St. Louis-Senior – 2001

2019 State Best

13.96 – Kaylah McCall (JR), Homewood-Flossmoor

2019 Class 2A Best

14.72 – Emelia Ness (JR), Monticello

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

14.82 – Emelia Ness (JR), Monticello

2018 2A State Meet Champion

14.19 – Imani Carothers, Brooks College Prep

Preview Emelia Ness could be the class of the field in this event. The junior has been strong this year starting with winning indoors at Illinois Top Times. Ness ran 14.82 in her sectional race last week. She improved on that on Monday when she ran 14.72 to win at the News-Gazette Honor Roll Meet.

Ness has a best that is three tenths of a second ahead of the rest of the qualifiers. Samantha Hibbard of Sterling who has run 15.02, and Ali Rapps of Geneseo, who ran 15.14 last week, head the rest of the field. N’dia Jackson of Springfield Southeast, Shanisa Stinson of South Shore International, and Kiyah Kuhlman of Effingham are the only other runners that have times under 15.3 and could challenge for the second spot.

 

100 METER DASH

IHSA State Meet Record

11.41 – Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2004

11.41 – Morolake Akinosun, Waubonsie Valley – 2012     

2019 State Best

11.74 – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2019 Class 2A Best

11.74 – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

11.74 – Serena Bolden (SR), Springfield Southeast

2018 2A State Meet Champion

11.80 – Tina Martin, Decatur Eisenhower

PreviewSerena Bolden should dominate this event. Bolden has the best time in the state and is three tenths of a second ahead of teammate Raven Moore. Seven Hicks of Peoria Richwoods won the 1A title last year while competing for Peoria Heights. Hicks has a seasonal best 12.11 and will be ready for the challenge. Jessica McDowell of Normal University defeated Hicks last week at the Metamora Sectional and has a 12.46 seasonal best from that race. She could be among the top five runners in the finals.

Treasure Hicks of Lindblom ran 12.15 in the Chicago City Championships and should be a factor in this event. Jayla Campbell of Rich Central, Jocelyn Crowell of Kankakee, Arianna Walker of Rich South, and Mattie Lieb of Monticello are some of the other athletes that will challenge for a spot on the finals starting line.

 

800 METER RUN

IHSA State Meet Record

2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton, Rockton Hononegah – 2013

2019 State Best

2:10.81 – Katelynne Hart (JR), Glenbard West

2019 Class 2A Best

2:16.33 – Payne Turney (JR), Clinton

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

2:20.21 – Megan Garrett (SO), Charleston

2018 2A State Meet Champion

2:12.95 – Rachel Hickey, LaSalle-Peru

Preview Payne Turney demonstrated what kind of runner she was indoors when she won the 800 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run at Illinois Top Times in the span of an hour. She will try for that double in Charleston. She will be the favorite in the event as she has the fastest time in this field by almost four seconds.

Megan Garrett of Charleston has the fastest sectional time and could have a “home-crowd” advantage. She leads the rest of the pack. Amelia McLain of Benton ran in the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run in last year’s state meet. She replaced the 3200 with this event. McLain has the second fastest sectional time and could challenge for the win.

This field is not as strong as in previous years with only one qualifier (Turney) running under 2:20. Avery Anderson of Burlington Central, Breanna Chandler of Freeburg, Josie Brown of Geneseo, and Lesley Viveros of Aurora Central Catholic  are some of the other runners to watch for at this distance.

 

4X200 METER RELAY

IHSA State Meet Record

1:38:86 – Lincoln-Way East - 2013

2019 State Best

1:40.82– Homewood-Flossmoor

2019 Class 2A Best

1:41.64 – East St. Louis-Senior

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

1:41.64 – East St. Louis-Senior

2018 2A State Meet Champion

1:39.38 – Dunlap

Preview – All eyes will be on East St. Louis-Senior and Carbondale in this relay just like the 400 Meter Relay earlier. They are more than two seconds ahead of the rest of the qualifiers. The Flyerettes had the edge last week at the Troy Triad Sectional when they ran 1:41.64 for the win ahead of the Terriers (1:42.13).

Kankakee leads the rest of the field with the 1:44.51 they ran in their conference meet. Monticello and Rich South are the only other teams in this field under 1:46. Chicago Clark, Providence Catholic, Urbana, and Morgan Park are some of the other teams to watch in this event.

 

400 METER DASH

IHSA State Meet Record

52.63 – Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2005

2019 State Best

55.23 – Dajour Miles (SR), West Aurora

2019 Class 2A Best

56.09 – Jayla Campbell (SR), Rich Central

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

57.39 – Jessica McDowell (SR), Normal University

2018 2A State Meet Champion

56.05 - *Jayla Campbell, Rich Central

Preview – This could be one of the best “non-Bolden” races in this classification. Three runners that have run under 57 seconds are in this field. Defending state champion in the event Jayla Campbell leads the field with the 56.09 best that she ran in her conference meet. Jessica McDowell of Normal University ran 56.30 ahead of Springfield Southeast’s Raven Moore and her time of 56.41 at the Central State Eight Conference Meet two weeks ago. All three of these runners could come away with the win. All three could also run under 56 seconds to get that win.

Jariah Turner of East St. Louis-Senior ran 57.04 in her conference meet and should not be forgotten as one of the favorites. She is a second ahead of the rest of the field with Akira Custer of Carbondale, Destiny Reid of Macomb, and Lovenya Perry of Rantoul the head of that pack.

 

300 METER HURDLES

IHSA State Meet Record

40.61 – Shalina Clarke, Evanston Township – 2005

2019 State Best

43.13 – Lauren Ferguson, Springfield

2019 Class 2A Best

43.88 – Veronica Sherrod (JR), East St. Louis-Senior

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

44.20 – Veronica Sherrod (JR), East St. Louis-Senior

2018 2A State Meet Champion

43.45 – Jessica Franklin, Mahomet-Seymour

Previews – This could come down to three athletes to challenge for the event championship. Veronica Sherrod ran 44.20 last week in her sectional race. She does have the second fastest time in the state having run 43.88 in her conference meet. Teammate Maysha Vickers ran 44.63 in that conference race. The Flyerettes could get big points from this event.

Emelia Ness of Monticello is the only other runner under 45-seconds in this field having run 44.90 in a meet in April. Don’t count her out as she could win this state title. There is a one second gap before three other runners that are within a tenth of a second of each other lead the way. Keep an eye on Katie Cox of Pittsfield, Kynzee Boastick of Urbana, and Mallory Cyrulik of Clinton that could be one of the top five finishers.

 

1600 METER RUN

IHSA State Meet Record

4:43.65 – Kayla Beattie, Woodstock – 2011

2019 State Best

4:45.33 – Katelynne Hart (JR), Glenbard West

2019 Class 2A Best

5:05.99 – Lianna Surtz (FR), Aurora Rosary

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

5:11.07 – Aspen Gordon (SR), Morton

2018 2A State Meet Champion

5:05.97 – Campbell Petersen, Dunlap (now attends Naperville North)

Preview – This event is wide-open with no overwhelming favorite. Lianna Surtz enters the field with the best 2A time run at the Kane County Meet. After a successful cross-country season where she qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals, Surtz missed two months during this track season due to shin splints. The freshman has been coming on strong in recent weeks. She could have the edge in this race. Surtz could be coming back from the 3200 Meter Relay.

Ella Bittner of Normal University will be also coming back from the relay. She is one of three other athletes (besides Surtz) that have run under 5:10. Olivia Rosenstein of Urbana, Lydia Roller of Staunton, Aspen Gordon of Morton, and Jordan Harmon of Tolono Unity will all be doubling back from the 3200 Meter Run. Alyssa McPike of Monticello will be coming back from the relay. Paige Turney of Clinton and Amelia McLain of Benton will double back from the 800 Meter Run. Any of those runners could win this race.

Also watch for Emma Argo of Eureka and Emma Skinner of Morton who could also be difference makers in the state final race.

 

200 METER DASH

IHSA State Meet Record

23.32 – Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park – 2005

2019 State Best

24.10 – Ameia Wilson (SR), Danville

2019 Class 2A Best

24.84 – Tiera Robinson-Jones (JR), Evergreen Park

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

25.08 – Jessica McDowell (SR), Normal University

2018 2A State Meet Champion

24.78 – Tina Martin, Decatur Eisenhower

Preview – This event is a little more wide-open since list leader Tiera Robinson-Jones did not advance out of her sectional meet.  Serena Bolden in her final state race has the best 2A time left of the qualifiers when she ran 24.98 in her conference meet. Jessica McDowell of Normal University is having a great senior season. She won her sectional in 25.08 and could challenge Bolden. Springfield Southeast’s Raven Moore, Treasure Keyes of Kenwood Academy, and Jayla Campbell of Rich Central all have the talent to win this event.

 

4x400 METER RELAY

IHSA State Meet Record

3:45.14 (CMT) – East St. Louis-Lincoln – 1984

2019 State Best

3:50.54 – East St. Louis-Senior

2019 Class 2A Best

3:50.54 – East St. Louis-Senior

2019 Class 2A Sectional Best

3:53.40 – East St. Louis-Senior

2018 2A State Meet Champion

3:53.26 – East St. Louis-Senior

Preview – It is hard to imagine any team touching East St. Louis-Senior in this final event of the meet. The Flyerettes have the fastest time in the state as well as the fastest Class 2A time by more than 14 seconds.

It will be a mad chaise for the second spot and to see if any of the squads can go under four-minutes.

Carbondale should head the pack with Geneseo, Peoria Notre Dame, Mascoutah, and Eureka following.

 

TEAMS

2018 team champion Dunlap reign ended on top of Class 2A as they were moved up to Class 3A due to an increase in their enrollment. The door opens for a new state champion this Saturday. The two teams that have stepped ahead of the rest this season have been East St. Louis-Senior and Springfield Southeast. The two schools finished in last year’s top five teams led by the Flyerettes second-place finish. Springfield Southeast finished fifth.

There is a separation between these two southern powers and the rest of the pack. Normal University, Carbondale, and Monticello lead that pack.

Here is a look at some of the teams to watch for in Class 2A beginning with the prelims Friday morning.

 

East St. Louis-Senior

1st – Troy Triad Sectional

Qualifiers – 18 Total (14 Individuals, 4 Relays)

Overview - A combination of great relays and top individuals could put the Flyerettes on top of the podium for the first time since they won the 3A title in 2011. Three of their four relays have the top 2A times in the state. Their 400 Meter Relay is second fastest. Getting all four through the prelims on Friday morning will be something to watch for.

Veronica Sherrod and Maysha Vickers have the top times in the 300 Hurdles and should provide their team big points. Sherrod could also earn all-state honors in the 100 Meter Hurdles. Jariah Turner and Shonjahnea Griggs will be running in relays. They could also get their team double digit points in the 400 Meter Dash. It would be a plus if Markia Lampley gets points in both the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. Alaysha Hudson and Ahmia Dorsey are also athletes that could earn points in the Long Jump. It would not be a surprise if Kaila Poole scores points in either the Shot Put or Discus.

This team has the numbers to win a state championship. The Flyerettes just need to have a clean Friday in the prelims to put themselves into a position to win a state title.

 

Springfield Southeast

1st – Lincoln Sectional

Qualifiers – 14 Total (12 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – The Lady Spartans have the quality points to come away with a state championship. Just like East St. Louis, they do not have any room for mistakes in the Friday morning preliminary session. Serena Bolden is the athlete that Southeast will get the bulk of their points from. Bolden will be the BIG favorite in the Long Jump and Triple Jump along with the 100 Meter Dash. Bolden ran 24.98 in her conference meet and has the fastest 2A time left heading into this meet. She could pick up big points in that event as well.

Raven Moore is the other athlete on this squad that should provide team some huge points. Moore had the second fastest time in the 100 behind Bolden in sectional competition. She has the second fastest 2A time this season in the 400 Meter Dash and will contend for the title. Bolden and Moore could finish 1-2 in both the 100 and 200 giving their team huge points.

N’Dia Jackson could score in the 100 Meter Hurdles and possibly the 300 Meter Hurdles. Summer Williams won a sectional title in the High Jump. She could be a surprise in this event. Their 400 Meter Relay is ranked fifth heading into the state meet. They could receive points in that event and have a chance to make the finals in the 1600 Meter Relay.

 

Carbondale

2nd – Troy Triad Sectional

Qualifiers – 10 Total (7 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Overview – The chase for the third-place trophy begins with the Terriers. If they have a perfect day in the prelims, they could be in the chase for the state title. Carbondale has a strong sprint squad with Keona Love leading the way. Love could score in both the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. Carbondale has the fastest 2A time in the 400 Meter Relay and second fastest 2A time in the 800 Meter Relay. They could win in both events. Akira Custer is also a possibility to get Carbondale points in the 400 Meter Dash. Carbondale also has a good team in the 1600 Meter Relay led by Custer and could also finish in the top three.

Sydney Apgar has the top 2A mark in the Discus and will be one of the favorites in that event. The senior could also score in the Shot Put.

 

Monticello

1st – Tolono Unity Sectional

Qualifiers – 11 Total (8 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Overview – There is a good chance that the Lady Sages could leave Charleston with a trophy, They do have the potential to score in many events. Emelia Ness is the only 2A athlete to run under 15-seconds this spring in the 100 Meter Hurdles. She is the favorite in that event and could finish in the top five in the 300 Meter Hurdles. Mattie Lieb is one of the top ten athletes in both the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. She could score in both events. Both athletes will be part of Monticello’s 400 Meter Relay and 800 Meter Relay that could get points.

Alyssa McPike leads the 3200 Meter Relay that could earn all-state honors. McPike could be a scorer in the 1600 Meter Run as well as Rachel Koon. It is possible that Koon also scores points in the 3200 Meter Run. Landis Brandon could also contend for a top five finish in the Pole Vault.

 

Normal University

2nd – Metamora Sectional

Qualifiers – 8 Total (6 Individuals, 2 Relays)

OverviewJessica McDowell is having a great senior season and could earn all-state honors in three individual events. McDowell could be one of the favorites in both the 200 Meter Dash and 400 Meter Dash. McDowell won her sectional race at 100-meters. She could pick up big points as well in that event. McDowell also be a part of the 400 Meter Relay that could get into the finals.

Ella Bittner will be one of the favorites in a wide-open 1600 Meter Run. Bittner will also be a part of their 3200 Meter Relay team that could chase down the title in that event. The Pioneers could get points from either Lindsey Shouse or Sydnee Scott in the Pole Vault.

 

Mt. Zion

3rd – Tolono Unity Sectional

Qualifiers - 8 Total (6 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – A team that could be a surprise in the top five. Rhiannon Held will be one of the favorites in the Pole Vault. Morgan Pilate could score points in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump. Sara Addai could be one of the scorers in the 400 Meter Dash. She could be a surprise in the 200 Meter Dash.

Mt. Zion has one of the top five times in the 3200 Meter Relay and could contend for the state title in the event. They could also be a surprise in the 1600 Meter Relay.

 

Geneseo

1st – LaSalle-Peru Sectional

Qualifiers – 8 Total (6 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – The Maple Leafs could end up finishing in the top five. Ali Rapps is having a fantastic freshman season and will contend for a top finish in the 100 Meter Hurdles and a possibility to make the 300 Meter Hurdles’ finals. Alison Bowers could be a surprise in the 100 Meter Dash.

Josie Brown will be one of the top finishers in the 800 Meter Run. Brown is also a part of the quartet in the 3200 Meter Relay that has one of the top 2A times this season and will challenge for the state title. Their 1600 Meter Relay is a good bet to make the Saturday finals.

 

Urbana

2nd – Tolono Unity Sectional

Qualifiers – 9 Total (8 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – Do not be surprised if the Tigers finish in the top five by the end of Saturday. A perfect weekend could make that thought more of a reality than a dream.

Diamonasia Taylor will be one of the favorites in the High Jump where she will go after her third straight title in the event. Taylor could be a surprise in the Long Jump and will help Urbana in the 800 Meter Relay.

Olivia Rosenstein has come back from an injury that sidelined all of cross-country season. She could pick up big points in both the 3200 Meter Run and the 1600 Meter Run. Lanaeja Carter does have a chance to finish in the top six in the Discus.

 

Clinton

2nd – Lincoln Sectional

Qualifiers – 9 Total (7 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – Clinton has a shot for a finish between fifth and tenth this weekend. Payne Turney leads the way as she should be the favorite in the 800 Meter Run and will also contend for the title in the 1600 Meter Run. Turney will also be a part of Clinton’s 1600 Meter Relay that could make Saturday’s finals.

Mallory Cyrulik has a good chance to qualify for the 300 Meter Hurdle finals and could be a surprise in the 100 Meter Hurdles. Tori Burke could be a surprise in the 100 Meter Dash.

 

Morton

1st – Metamora Sectional

Qualifiers – 8 Total (8 Individuals, 0 Relays)

Overview – With no relays advancing out of their sectional meet, the Potters will need some big performances from their distance runners to find their way into the top five. Aspen Gordon has the best sectional time in the 3200 Meter Run. She will be one of the favorites in that event. Teammate Meagan Moreno could also be among the top seven finishers. Gordon also has one of the top times in the 1600 Meter Run. She will be one of the front runners in the event with freshman Emma Skinner a possibility of making it to the Saturday finals.

Lauren Doerr has one of the top five 2A marks in the Long Jump. She is a possibility of finishing in the top five places.

 

Aurora Rosary

2nd – Rochelle Sectional

Qualifiers – 9 Total (6 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Overview – Rosary could be a surprise that gets near a top six spot. Lianna Surtz is recovered from an injury that sidelined her most of the season. Surtz will be one of the favorites in the 1600 Meter Run. She is also part of her team’s 3200 Meter Relay that could be in the hunt for a top five finish.

It would be a bonus if Rosary’s quartets make the Saturday finals in the 800 Meter Relay and 1600 Meter Relay. Lauren Roskuszka could get her team points in either the Long Jump or Pole Vault.

 

Springfield Lanphier

4th – Lincoln Sectional

Qualifiers – 7 Total (5 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – Their sprint group could take the Lady Lions close to the top five. Jaylen Muldrow could get points in both the 100 Meter Dash and 400 Meter Dash. She will also be a part of the team’s 400 Meter Relay and 800 Meter Relay squads that could earn all-state honors. Martice Brooks might be someone to watch for in the 100 Meter Dash.



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History for Illinois IHSA Outdoor State Championships
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2023 1 52 32 3044  
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2021   84 28 1396  
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