2014 Class 2A Girls Field Events Pre-Season Preview

Highland's Lena Giger will seek the 50-foot mark and all-time record this season


The more things change the more they stay the same. It is true that some familiar and very talented young ladies who have elevated the field events in 2A to prominent status have graduated.  But at the same time there are a few top draws to look out for. The shot put, triple jump, and pole vault appear to be the top events on the docket.  Lena Giger of Highland will be the spotlight athlete in this arena, but she will not be alone.  Watch for Haleigh Knapp do her magic in the high jump pit all season long.

Long Jump-
2013 State Champion: MaShayla Kirksy (Sr., Melrose Park Walther Lutheran) 19-1.75 [+0.0]
Key returners: Taylor McCammon (Sr., Kankakee McNamara), Brittani Griesbaum (Jr., Lake Villa Lakes), Lexy Duncan (Sr., Dixon), Dasha Thomas (So., Cahokia), Gillian Urycki (So., Metamora), Leona Burton (So., Morris), Lauren Zick (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland).
Outlook: The two-time winning state champion MaShayla Kirksy has taken her jump show to Depaul University.  Now there is an opportunity for someone else to become the long jump queen.  If form charts hold true then it means that Taylor McCammon is in line to become the heir apparent by virtue of her 18-5 personal best and second place finish in last spring’s state final. If she can’t get the job done this spring then look for several fresh faces in Dasha Thomas, Brittani Griesbaum, and perhaps Lexy Duncan to step up. Thomas could be a surprise here since she comes from the Cahokia jumps factory that has produced so many boys champions over the years... Kyla Jimmar (So., Oak Lawn Richards) didn't register in this event in 2013 but has already hit the richter scale with a 17-0 jump in December 2013.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 18-4.75 Taylor Mccammon Kankakee McNamara High School 2014 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
2. 17-10.75 Raynesha Lewis Cahokia High School 2016 07/11/2013 USATF Region 9 Championship (Missouri Valley)
3. 17-10.5 Brittani Griesbaum Lakes High School 2015 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
4. 17-9.5 Lexy Duncan Dixon High School 2014 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
5. 17-9 Dasha Thomas Cahokia High School 2016 05/09/2013 2A Triad Sectional (Girls)
6. 17-8.75 Lauren Zick Kaneland High School 2014 05/03/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Girls Conference Championship
7. 17-5 Molly McGraw Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2014 05/11/2013 2A Bloomingotn Central Catholic (Girls)
8. 17-3.5 Mackenzie Mcclintock Chatham-Glenwood High School 2015 04/22/2013 Glenwood Titan Invitational
9. 17-3 Leona Burton Morris High School 2016 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
10. 17-2.25 Elizabeth Pagan Hampshire High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
11. 17-1.75 Dana Turner Walther Lutheran High School 2014 04/06/2013 Lisle Megameet
12. 16-11.75 Sydney Shanks Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2016 05/11/2013 2A Bloomingotn Central Catholic (Girls)
13. 16-11 Sydney Jones Jersey High School 2015 04/22/2013 Glenwood Titan Invitational
14. 16-8.25 Edwards Lilia Sycamore High School 2015 05/03/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Girls Conference Championship
15. 16-7.25 Jasonna Pealer MacArthur High School 2015 04/26/2013 Ubana Girls Invitational
16. 16-6.5 Jacquesia Hart Champaign Central High School 2014 04/17/2013 Danville vs Central
17. 16-6 Vicky Gruzska Peoria Notre Dame High School 2016 04/05/2013 Galesburg Girls Silver Streak Invitational
18. 16-5.5 Emily Kim Dunlap High School 2015 04/26/2013 Meet of Champions
19. 16-4.5 Edquinette West North Lawndale Charter High School 2014 05/09/2013 2A Jones Sectional (Girls)
20. 16-3.5 Abby Lealaimatafao Freeburg High School 2014 05/01/2013 Cahokia Girls Conference Championship


Pole Vault-
2013 State Champion
: Sarah Bell (Bloomington Central Catholic) 12-9
Key returners: Kassadee Ifft (So., Prairie Central), Claire Buck (Jr., Troy-Triad), Lindsey Murray (Sr., Harrisburg), Christina Delach (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), Laryn Sapetti (Jr., Rochester), Tuley Maeve (So., Lake Villa Lakes).
Outlook: Now that the living legend Sarah Bell is now at Vanderbilt University vaulting, it is time for the next up and coming vaulter to shine. Kassadee Ifft is the premier choice after several defections (will be explained later)- has popped the 12-foot barrier in 2013 as well as earned a third place medal at the state meet.  She recently cleared 11-10 in the Reno Pole Vault Summit, making sure her chief opponents know the title is going to be hard to earn.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 12-1 Hannah Swift Canton High School 2015 06/07/2013 AAU Area 14A National Qualifier
2. 11-6 Lindsay Murray Harrisburg High School 2014 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
3. 11-3 Claire Buck Triad High School 2015 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
4. 10-6 Laryn Sapetti Rochester High School 2015 05/09/2013 2A Jacksonville Sectional (Girls)
5. 10-0 Maeve Tuley Lakes High School 2016 05/02/2013 North Suburban Girls Conference Championship
6. 10-0 Christina Delach Kaneland High School 2014 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
7. 10-0 Elissa Craft Clinton High School 2015 06/07/2013 AAU Area 14A National Qualifier
8. 9-6 Kenesha Taylor East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2014 04/25/2013 St. Clair County Girls Championship
9. 9-6 Peyton Sledge Charleston High School 2014 04/26/2013 Ubana Girls Invitational
10. 9-6 Becky Tollackson Mahomet-Seymour High School 2016 04/26/2013 Ubana Girls Invitational
11. 9-6 Chelsea Hill Freeburg High School 2014 05/01/2013 Cahokia Girls Conference Championship
12. 9-3 Mattie Carter Greenville High School 2014 05/09/2013 2A Jacksonville Sectional (Girls)
13. 9-3 Taylor Ostermeier Rochester High School 2014 05/09/2013 2A Jacksonville Sectional (Girls)
14. 9-3 Madissyn Horack Illinois Valley Central High School 2015 05/09/2013 2A Dunlap Sectional (Girls)
15. 9-3 Nicole Aldridge Illinois Math and Science Academy 2015 05/10/2013 2A Glenbard South Sectional (Girls)
16. 9-0 Macie Drum Mattoon High School 2015 04/05/2013 Annies Invitational
17. 9-0 Emma Hartness Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2016 04/26/2013 Eastern Relays
18. 8-6 Kaitlin Rutz Highland High School 2014 04/05/2013 Triad Lady Knight Invitational
19. 8-6 Sierra Storm Princeton High School 2015 04/06/2013 Don Gooden Invitational
20. 8-6 Gabby Anglin Metamora High School 2015 04/11/2013 Tim Broe Fresh/Soph Invitational


High Jump-
2013 State Champion: Haleigh Knapp (Sr., Morris) 5-8
Key returners: Knapp, Molly McGraw (Sr., Bloomington Central Catholic), Gillian Urycki (So., Metamora), Addison Ely (Jr., Bloomington Central Catholic), Christina McNab (So., New Lenox Providence Catholic).
Outlook:  Haleigh Knapp has an opportunity to become a three-time state champion and possibly a shot to elevate into the 5-10 stratosphere this season. Oh but Molly McGraw will be a strong challenger not because she returns with the second best mark of 5-7, but rather because she only placed sixth in last year’s state final.  Needless to say, she will be extra motivated this year.  
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 5-8 Haleigh Knapp Morris High School 2014 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
2. 5-7 Molly McGraw Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2014 04/22/2013 Bloomington/Normal Intercity Classic
3. 5-5 Chritina Macnab Providence Catholic High School 2016 04/26/2013 Plainfield Central Hunt Invitational
4. 5-4 Raynesha Lewis Cahokia High School 2016 04/13/2013 Corey Siebert Invitational
5. 5-3 Danielle Griesbaum Lakes High School 2015 05/02/2013 North Suburban Girls Conference Championship
6. 5-2 Mary Claire Davis Jersey High School 2014 04/12/2013 Jersey Girls Panther Invitational
7. 5-2 Tanerra Dooley Rochester High School 2015 04/20/2013 Rochester Rocket Invitational
8. 5-2 Jena Argubright LaSalle-Peru High School 2015 04/22/2013 Redstorm Relays
9. 5-2 Dasha O'shea Normal University High School 2016 04/26/2013 Ubana Girls Invitational
10. 5-2 Anna Auten Monticello High School 2015 05/03/2013 Okaw Valley Girls Conference Championship
11. 5-2 Isreal Evans Peoria High School 2015 05/09/2013 2A Dunlap Sectional (Girls)
12. 5-2 Morgan Zuidema Sterling High School 2015 05/10/2013 2A Burlington Central Sectional (Girls)
13. 5-1.75 Mariah Madison Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Academy 2014 05/04/2013 CPS Co-Ed Championships
14. 5-0 Taylor Smith Rockford Christian High School 2015 04/06/2013 Charger Nation Invitational
15. 5-0 Jamie Defauw Geneseo High School 2014 04/05/2013 Galesburg Girls Silver Streak Invitational
16. 5-0 Addison Ely Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2015 04/06/2013 Saber Invitational
17. 5-0 Grace Cronin Fenwick High School 2016 04/13/2013 Argo Girls Invitational
18. 5-0 Alexa Schmitt Grayslake Central High School 2016 04/20/2013 Carol Koszola Classic
19. 5-0 Tonette Lawson East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2016 04/20/2013 Windy City Classic Relays
20. 5-0 Lunden Henry Springfield Southeast High School 2016 04/24/2013 Springfield Girls City meet


Shot Put-
2013 State Champion:
Lena Giger (Sr., Highland) 47-9
Key returners: Giger, Gabi Jacobs (Sr., Normal University), Abby Lealaimatafao (Sr., Freeburg), Daisha Townsend (Sr., Cahokia), Ranija Turner (Sr., Champaign Central), Lashonda Brewer (Sr., Cahokia).
Outlook: Lena Giger will be a premier target in all of Illinois track and field this season now that she has sewed up her dream college (Stanford University). The two-time state champion can just hover in the throwing ring and heave the put all season long. Giger has already in early January put up the second farthest indoor throw in Illinois history (48-7.5 at a meet in Missouri)- only the 49-1 by former Edwardsville legend Emmonnie Henderson stands in the way.  It is a safe bet to go ahead and crown Giger as the best putter in the state this season, but she now has an opportunity to be arguably the best putter of all-time.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 48-10.75 Lena Giger Highland High School 2014 04/05/2013 Triad Lady Knight Invitational
2. 44-6 Gabi Jacobs Normal University High School 2014 04/22/2013 Bloomington/Normal Intercity Classic
3. 41-3.25 Daisha Townsend Cahokia High School 2014 04/13/2013 Corey Siebert Invitational
4. 40-10.5 Ranija Turner Champaign Central High School 2014 05/03/2013 Big 12 Girls Conference Championship
5. 40-5 Abby Lealaimatafao Freeburg High School 2014 04/17/2013 Mascoutah Girls Invitational
6. 40-2.25 Lashonda Brewer Cahokia High School 2014 04/13/2013 Corey Siebert Invitational
7. 39-8 Aaliah Herron East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2016 04/25/2013 St. Clair County Girls Championship
8. 38-5.25 Dasha Thomas Cahokia High School 2016 04/20/2013 Champaign Central Girls Invitational
9. 38-5 Shaniera Wilson Springfield Southeast High School 2014 04/24/2013 Springfield Girls City meet
10. 38-3.75 Christina Meinhardt Wauconda High School 2015 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
11. 37-8 Cassir Brashear Salem High School 2014 04/05/2013 Annies Invitational
12. 36-7.75 Kyliah Huges Freeport High School 2015 05/10/2013 2A Burlington Central Sectional (Girls)
13. 36-1 Nicki Wright Chatham-Glenwood High School 2014 04/26/2013 Collinsville Girls Invitational
14. 36-0 Allie Simmons Triad High School 2015 05/09/2013 2A Triad Sectional (Girls)
15. 35-5.5 Elizabeth Willis Mendota High School 2016 04/29/2013 Big Northern Conference Fresh/Soph Girls Meet
16. 35-3 Audrey Anderson Geneseo High School 2014 04/13/2013 Rock Island Girls Invitational
17. 35-0.5 Lexi Obermeyer Clinton High School 2015 05/03/2013 Okaw Valley Girls Conference Championship
18. 34-11 Ali Richter Triad High School 2016 04/12/2013 O'Fallon Girls Invitational
19. 34-10.5 Mireya Arellano Rock Falls High School 2014 05/10/2013 2A Burlington Central Sectional (Girls)
20. 34-10.5 Elle Tattoni Kaneland High School 2015 05/10/2013 2A Burlington Central Sectional (Girls)
  • Complete List



Triple Jump-
2013 State Champion: Brion Portis (Springfield Southeast) 39-3.75 [+0.8]
Key returners: Raynesha Lewis (So., Cahokia), Vicky Gruszka (So., Peoria Notre Dame), Dasha Thomas (So., Cahokia), Jordan Irvin (Sr., Manteno), Hailey Hollinshead (So., Rochester), Sydney Jones (Jr., Jersey).
Outlook: The numbers don’t lie when it comes to Raynesha Lewis. As a freshman she placed second in the state to multiple state champion Brion Portis. In addition, Lewis also has the top overall best returning marks legal and wind-aided of 38-9.5 and 38-0.25. However, winning a state championship will not be a piece of cake with a deep cast of young and talented jumpers returning.  Lewis has competition in her own pit with fellow sophomore Dasha Thomas who has a personal best of 37-0. Vicky Gruszka placed one spot behind Lewis at state returns as a serious threat and should not be counted out.  She frog jumped 37-4.5 twice last season and over 36-feet on another occasion.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 38-0.25 Raynesha Lewis Cahokia High School 2016 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
2. 36-11.75 Dasha Thomas Cahokia High School 2016 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
3. 36-5 Ciara Lohman Breese Central High School 2014 04/17/2013 Mascoutah Girls Invitational
4. 36-0.5 Hailey Hollinshead Rochester High School 2016 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
5. 35-8.5 Vicky Gruzska Peoria Notre Dame High School 2016 04/05/2013 Galesburg Girls Silver Streak Invitational
6. 35-7.5 Porter Mercedes Rantoul High School 2014 03/30/2013 Champaign County Meet
7. 35-7.5 Dynesha Powell East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2014 04/06/2013 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Relays
8. 35-6 Molly McGraw Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2014 05/11/2013 2A Bloomingotn Central Catholic (Girls)
9. 35-5.75 Sydney Jones Jersey High School 2015 05/09/2013 2A Jacksonville Sectional (Girls)
10. 35-5.25 Bailey Leitschuh Highland High School 2015 04/17/2013 Mascoutah Girls Invitational
11. 35-4.5 Ninaa Edwards Rich South High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
12. 35-1 Taylor Smith Mattoon High School 2015 05/11/2013 2A Bloomingotn Central Catholic (Girls)
13. 35-0.25 Claire Buck Triad High School 2015 03/29/2013 Belleville West Lady Maroon Invite
14. 35-0 Mackenzie Mcclintock Chatham-Glenwood High School 2015 04/26/2013 Collinsville Girls Invitational
15. 34-7 Edwards Lilia Sycamore High School 2015 04/12/2013 Minooka Invitational
16. 34-7 Abby Lealaimatafao Freeburg High School 2014 05/01/2013 Cahokia Girls Conference Championship
17. 34-6.5p Deja Lindsey North Chicago High School 2014 05/16/2013 IHSA Girls State T&F Championships
18. 34-3.5 Nikki Dumoulin Hampshire High School 2016 05/06/2013 Fox Valley Girls Conference Championship
19. 34-3 Aleayha Allen Rich South High School 2016 04/02/2013 Larry Roland Girls Invitational
20. 34-1 Tyler Bakarich Triad High School 2014 04/05/2013 Triad Lady Knight Invitational


Discus Throw-
2013 State Champion: Lindsay Herra (Rockford Boylan) 138-2
Key returners: Gabi Jacobs (Sr., Normal University), Lena Giger (Sr., Highland), Shauniera Wilson (Sr., Springfield Southeast), Daisha Townsend (Sr., Cahokia), Elle Alexander (Jr., Chatham-Glenwood), Nicki Wright (Sr., Chatham-Glenwood), Elle Tattoni (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland), Karlie Wondolofski (Sr., Jersey).
Outlook: If there is a chink in Lena Giger’s armor it would have to be the discus throw. For an elite thrower she is considered average with a personal best of 143-6.  However, things may change this season.  Giger entered 2013 only throwing 130-feet before elevating another dozen feet.  If she can improve to 150-feet she will be very difficult to defeat.  Gabi Jacobs is the top returner from the state meet with a 131-1 mark after placing third ahead of Giger.  Jacob’s best mark last season was 136-9.  Keep an eye on Shauniera Wilson and Daisha Townsend this season as they both could surprise the favorites.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 143-6 Lena Giger Highland High School 2014 05/02/2013 Missouri Valley Conference Girls Championship
2. 136-9 Gabi Jacobs Normal University High School 2014 04/12/2013 Bloomington Girls Invitational
3. 127-9 Daisha Townsend Cahokia High School 2014 04/06/2013 Timberland Invitational
4. 126-3 Shaniera Wilson Springfield Southeast High School 2014 05/02/2013 CS8 Girls Conference Championship
5. 124-2 Elle Alexander Chatham-Glenwood High School 2015 04/22/2013 Glenwood Titan Invitational
6. 119-6 Nicki Wright Chatham-Glenwood High School 2014 04/22/2013 Glenwood Titan Invitational
7. 119-2 Elle Tattoni Kaneland High School 2015 04/26/2013 Kane County Invitational
8. 116-3 Karlie Wondolofski Jersey High School 2014 05/02/2013 Missouri Valley Conference Girls Championship
9. 114-2 Christina Meinhardt Wauconda High School 2015 05/02/2013 North Suburban Girls Conference Championship
10. 113-6 Alexus Handy East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2014 05/09/2013 2A Triad Sectional (Girls)
11. 111-8 Kasey Firnbach Vernon Hills High School 2015 05/09/2013 2A Grayslake Central Sectional (Girls)
12. 110-5 Mia Bennett Lakes High School 2014 04/25/2013 Lake County Girls Invitational
13. 110-5 Christy Hayden Benton High School 2014 05/09/2013 2A Triad Sectional (Girls)
14. 110-4 Hannah King Urbana High School 2014 04/26/2013 Ubana Girls Invitational
15. 109-2 Sarah Heuermann Limestone High School 2015 04/05/2013 Galesburg Girls Silver Streak Invitational
16. 107-5 Nicole Holland Princeton High School 2015 04/06/2013 Don Gooden Invitational
17. 106-8.5 Victoria Cisneros Mattoon High School 2014 04/16/2013 Mattoon Girls Invitational
18. 106-2 Lauren Schertz Metamora High School 2014 05/09/2013 2A Dunlap Sectional (Girls)
19. 105-7 Chloe Knight Limestone High School 2014 04/26/2013 Meet of Champions
20. 105-6 Elizabeth Willis Mendota High School 2016 04/20/2013 Plano Track & Field Dreams Invitational