Byron's Kelsey Hildreth will be looking for two titles in Charleston this weekend (Colin Boyle photo)
There are two big stories of the afternoon that could erupt over the course of six hours on Thursday that should amaze fans at the famed O’Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.
The first one would be the exploits of long jump field general Amelia Glueck (Sr., Tremont) who by the way happens to be a three-time state champion.
The second one is courtesy of long distance freshman phenom Anna Sophia Keller of Effingham St. Anthony.
Glueck looks to click on all cylinders in Charleston and bring home a team title-
Glueck has been to Charleston four straight years and came home each time with a boatload of individual medal hardware.
But Glueck and the Turks have never won the team title.
For the first time in school history that could change. Glueck and company appear to be the early bird favorites with the potential to score in the 50-60 point range.
Glueck, the two-time defending state long champion, is also the reigning Century champ. She leads all qualifiers running 12.45 last Thursday. Glueck also ranks #1 in the classification at 11.93.
Glueck is perhaps at her best in the long jump where she has won two titles and leads all entrants with seasonal best of 18’4” and second best coming in at 18’0”. Glueck will have a challenge to overcome in sectional leader Madison Meyer (So., Carterville) and her 18’1” mark.
Glueck should provide some fireworks in the 200m as she is the classification leader at 25.36. Glueck sits third among qualifiers but that will more than likely change when Saturday arrives.
Finally, the 4x100m relay would need to click on all cylinders for Glueck and company. The Turks only have the sixth fastest time (51.12) behind state leader Aurora Christian 49.79.
Anna Sophia Keller is more than a unique name-
They say the first significant signage on being a human being is your name. Your name is your identity to the world. In Anna Sophia Keller’s case she has taken her name and made it a household name immediately during the cross country season. Keller produced some amazing marks out of the gate that resulted in her winning a state title and being among the very best in the state of Illinois.
Keller has been compared to the incredible Mary Cain, who is her contemporary and on the world stage as a teenager. Keller is not quite on that level plain yet, but she is good in Illinois terms. The wonder kid ran 11:09 (3200m) and 5:03 (1600m)- records for Illinois Elementary Association levels.
So far this season Keller has been injury free in large part because she is a swimmer and the racing schedule has been light. Swimmer is a best friend on a runner’s legs in the long term (long with icing and other injury preventive measures). Keller is very young and still maturing so attending stressful, high caliber competitions may not be wise now.
Going into the state final, Keller has produced an Illinois leading 4:52.70 and IL#3 10:37.00. She is going to have her hands full with senior Kelsey Hildreth of Byron. Hildreth has the top time in Illinois in the 3200m at 10:32.02. Hildreth is not a fluke as she has the second best mark of 10:35.95 on her resume. Both the 1600 and 3200 is going to be barnburners on Saturday.
State elements to consider-
Here are several items throughout the preliminary session to keep an eye on:
• Morgan Zacharias (Jr., Reed-Custer) has the sectional best of 12’3” coming in which is over two feet better than Katie Denby (So., Carlinville). However, the 13’0” is the #1 clearance in the state of Illinois.
• Cassie Mundekis (Jr., Midwest Central) had been low-key since winning the Illinois Top Times 800m title in March in 2:16.94. The two month layoff was enough time for her foes to play catch up… until she dropped a classification banger 2:15.94 at the Tremont Sectional. Mundekis is now the heavy favorite to win her second state championship.
• The 300H should interesting with Jenny Kimbro (So., Jamaica) and Miranda Marry (Sr., Fisher) dueling. Kimbro ran a sectional leading 45.66 and also has a classification best 44.57 to boast about. Marry on the other hand has a stout resume to show off. She clocked 44.91 during the regular season and has dreams of running faster. The winner could potentially go as low as 43.00. Add Sarah Bindel (Sr., Chester) to the mix. She got under 46.0 with a respectable 45.97.
• The defending 400m champion Amanda McClain (Jr., Sullivan) will duel against sectional leader Madison Meyer. Meyer ran 58.31. McClain rocked 57.69 at an invitational several weeks ago. Sophie Keith (So., Pinckneyville) is #2 in the classification with a 58.04 mark.
• Kimbro has the top overall classification best in the 100HH at 14.90. Erin Johnson (Jr., Trenton-Wesclin) leads the sectional qualifiers with a 15.28. Cydney Long (Sr., Oregon) ran 14.98.
• The relays look swift as Aurora Christian has a classification best 49.79 in the 4x1 and sectional top mark of 50.61- which is a half-second better than Erie Coop; Aurora Christian will look to double up in the 4x2 as the class leading 1:45.78 indicates; Erie-Prophetstown ran 4:06.84 to lead the class league. Erie held off Central A&M for the sectional best 4:10.19-4:10.55; Tolono Unity has the sectional leading 9:51.90 in the 4x8.
• Freshman Kathleen “KD” Young (Fr., Warrensburg) was one of the best throwers on the state middle school circuit. She has now taken her talents to the high school level and the returns are coming in favorably. She leads Class A discus (142-5) and shot put (44-5.25).
• Karissa Roman (Jr., Weathersfield-Kewanee) is the Class A leader in the high jump at 5’7.50” from the regular season. Tessa Holland (Jr., Fieldcrest) has also hit on 5'7" during the year and is the sectional leader.