The girls shot put has been the center of attention for the Illinois Top Times over the years (Angela Kerndl photo)
KD Young's entrance and exit met with strength and humility sets the tone for a good girls meet-
The girls shot put has been the event to set the theme at the Illinois Top Times over the past four years. In KD Young's final appearance of her storied IHSA career, she has never failed to meet her own expectations. Little known to those outside of her camp, she was ill leading up to the meet and it caused some concern whether or not she would be able to compete. "KD actually missed a few days of school because she was so sick," said her father Brett Young. KD did not waste any time throwing over 48 feet in first attempt. She was not able to re-establish a new meet record or touch 50 feet, she won easily and took the victory with grace. "I felt good enough to come and compete," said KD with satisfaction.
One of the favorites in the girls pole vault Kristin Slaughter (Effingham St. Anthony) did not compete due to illness. This left the door open for Maddie Kelly (Bloomington Central Catholic) to come and shine. Kelly improved from a 9-0 vaulter and a no name from a year ago.
The upstart Daelin Switzer (Decatur St. Teresa) won her first indoor title with a 5-5 effort. Switzer had a 5-7 and IL #3 best 5-7 prior to the contest.
The triple jump class leader Tarynn Mays (DuQuoin) did not surpass her classification best 37-2 but she did come away as a winner in 37-0.75 and almost two feet better than Danielle Taets (Orion).
Cora Wilkinson (Seneca) was the only jumper over 17 feet as she won with a 17-2.25.
Courtney Sockwell was full aware that she was not having the Grade A indoor season she was wanted in her pre-season goals. It did not matter when prime time arrive. The short sprint specialist senior from Rockford Lutheran blazed the field in her 60m prelim heat with a solid 7.83. The final was more of the same as Sockwell rocketed away from the competition and won in a near season best 7.81. The time tied Sockwell's meet record from last year. The feeling of satisfaction filled her spirit as she moves on to the outdoor season... Parker Francisco (St. Joe-Ogden) improved on the classification best in the 60HH with a 9.11 clocking in the final. It was also the 8th fastest time in the state.
Kayla Armstrong (Chicago Luther North) and Taylor George (Warrensburg-Latham) traded victories in the 400 and 200. Armstong used a strong surge on the final curve and slingshoted to victory 1:00.58-1:00.93. Middle-distance specialist Audrey Harrod (Hinckley Big Rock) finish third on very tired legs from the 800 in 1:00.95. It was not long before George chased down Sockwell and then Armstrong in the 200 over the final meters to win by the slimmest of margins 26.27-26.29.
Anna Sophia Keller (Effingham St. Anthony) closed our her historic career with two victories. The first was in uncharacteristic come from behind form in the 800m. Harrod had stormed out to a big lead in 64 seconds for the first 400. Keller began to claw back with less than 500 remaining. Finally, it was just less than 100 that Keller took the lead and stormed home with the win in 2:17.92. It was Keller's second straight victory in her tertiary event... the 1600 is an event that Keller has shown complete dominance in at the Top Times. The opening pace was not as fast as Keller wanted, but she was able to get rolling after the 800 and open up a big lead entering the final 400. Keller tried in vain over the final lap to break 5:00 but came up a tad short in 5:02.51. Claudia Magnussen (Pana) placed a distant second in 5:11.90... long time Keller foe and standout distance runner Daly Galloway ran the 3200m without any opposition. Galloway competes for coop Gardner- S. Wilmington in the fall for cross country and Dwight in track. Same school system but two names. Whatever the name of the program is, success for Galloway was the same. She weathered minimal resistance from Katelyn Robbins (Liberty) before gradually increasing her lead in the second half and eventually winning in 11:05.86.
St. Joe Ogden came in as the favorite and departed as the favorite in the 4x200 easily beating Clifton Central 1:48.87-1:50.24... Clifton Central closed out the meet as a winner in the 4x4 clocking 4:12.20- #1 time in the classification... earlier in the contest St. Thomas More of Champaign used a 2:22 anchor leg to come from behind and win the 4x800 in a class best 10:00.68. St. Joe Ogden and Springfield Lutheran had traded leads up until the latter stages of the race.