The all-time great Morgan Zacharias has taken her talent to U of Louisville (Sabrina Mendoza photo)
Pole Vault-
2015 State Champion: Morgan Zacharias (Reed-Custer) 13-0
Key returners: Nicole Bagwell (Jr., Tolono Unity), Kristin Slaughter (Jr., Effingham St. Anthony), Hanna Atwood (Jr., St. Joe-Ogden), Emma Meyer (Jr., Vandalia), Jenna Ring (Jr., Downs Tri-Valley), Katie Denby (Sr., Carlinville)
Outlook: We said that Morgan Zacharias was the truth when it came to the pole vault in the previous year's preview. Indeed it was true as she set the classification record and tied for the second best effort in IHSA history. Zacharias is now at the University of Louisville. There are a ton of returners back from the state meet final- nine performers to be exact. Despite Nicole Bagwell being the runner-up there is no big favorite going into this season as none of the returners have cleared the bench mark 12-feet. Be sure to keep an eye on Katie Denby, the younger sister of former boys great Jack Denby. Katie missed the final but she topped 11-feet last season.
2015 State Champion: Morgan Zacharias (Reed-Custer) 13-0
Key returners: Nicole Bagwell (Jr., Tolono Unity), Kristin Slaughter (Jr., Effingham St. Anthony), Hanna Atwood (Jr., St. Joe-Ogden), Emma Meyer (Jr., Vandalia), Jenna Ring (Jr., Downs Tri-Valley), Katie Denby (Sr., Carlinville)
Outlook: We said that Morgan Zacharias was the truth when it came to the pole vault in the previous year's preview. Indeed it was true as she set the classification record and tied for the second best effort in IHSA history. Zacharias is now at the University of Louisville. There are a ton of returners back from the state meet final- nine performers to be exact. Despite Nicole Bagwell being the runner-up there is no big favorite going into this season as none of the returners have cleared the bench mark 12-feet. Be sure to keep an eye on Katie Denby, the younger sister of former boys great Jack Denby. Katie missed the final but she topped 11-feet last season.
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13-0 | 2015 | ||
| 2 | 11-9.75 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 11-3 | 2015 | ||
| 4 | 11-0 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 11-0 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 11-0 | 2018 | ||
| 7 | 10-9 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 10-9 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 10-9 | 2017 |
High Jump-
2015 State Champion: Karissa Roman (Kewanee-Weathersfield) 5-6
Key returners: Hope Toews (Sr., Pleasant Plains), Jamie Hammond (Sr., Anna-Jonesboro), Aleeka Gentzler (Sr., Paxton-Buckley-Loda), Ellie Niermann (Jr., Litchfield), Laura Beckett (Moweaqua Central A&M), Billi Fox (Sr., Illini Bluffs), Lucy Rulon (So., Champaign St. Thomas More)
Outlook: Two-time defending state champion Karissa Roman has graduated on to the University of Missouri. The field will now open up for a number of solid jumpers such as the prime target Hope Toews who placed third in the state championship last year. Her best effort was reportedly 5-6 in a dual meet. If so, she could easily reach the 5-8 range at some point during the season.
2015 State Champion: Karissa Roman (Kewanee-Weathersfield) 5-6
Key returners: Hope Toews (Sr., Pleasant Plains), Jamie Hammond (Sr., Anna-Jonesboro), Aleeka Gentzler (Sr., Paxton-Buckley-Loda), Ellie Niermann (Jr., Litchfield), Laura Beckett (Moweaqua Central A&M), Billi Fox (Sr., Illini Bluffs), Lucy Rulon (So., Champaign St. Thomas More)
Outlook: Two-time defending state champion Karissa Roman has graduated on to the University of Missouri. The field will now open up for a number of solid jumpers such as the prime target Hope Toews who placed third in the state championship last year. Her best effort was reportedly 5-6 in a dual meet. If so, she could easily reach the 5-8 range at some point during the season.
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-6 | 2015 | ||
| 1 | 5-6 | 2015 | ||
| 3 | 5-5 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2015 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2015 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 5-4 | 2018 |
Shot Put-
2015 State Champion: Kathleen "KD" Young (Jr., Warrensburg-Latham) 48-10.25
Key returners: Young, Rachel Clowers (Sr., Pleasant Hill), Katie Hise (Sr., Decatur St. Teresa), Mikah Maples (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Emily Offenheiser (So., Stockton), Katie Gonterman (Sr., Auburn), Jamesha Western (Sr., Red Hill), Emma Johnson (Sr., Reed-Custer), Abby Nicholson (Sr., Jamaica Sidell)
Outlook: The All-American KD Young is back for another great season in which toured the country last year to prove herself time and time again. Young is the state's best thrower by a landslide. Don't forget that she broke the Top Times all-time meet record last year and then went on to join the 50-foot club outdoors. What is next in store for the already legendary KD Young? Can she reach 52-feet this season? How about Olympic Trials or competing in the World Juniors in Poland? The sky is the limit for sure... a competitive field will feature seven returners who surpassed 40-feet last year.
2015 State Champion: Kathleen "KD" Young (Jr., Warrensburg-Latham) 48-10.25
Key returners: Young, Rachel Clowers (Sr., Pleasant Hill), Katie Hise (Sr., Decatur St. Teresa), Mikah Maples (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Emily Offenheiser (So., Stockton), Katie Gonterman (Sr., Auburn), Jamesha Western (Sr., Red Hill), Emma Johnson (Sr., Reed-Custer), Abby Nicholson (Sr., Jamaica Sidell)
Outlook: The All-American KD Young is back for another great season in which toured the country last year to prove herself time and time again. Young is the state's best thrower by a landslide. Don't forget that she broke the Top Times all-time meet record last year and then went on to join the 50-foot club outdoors. What is next in store for the already legendary KD Young? Can she reach 52-feet this season? How about Olympic Trials or competing in the World Juniors in Poland? The sky is the limit for sure... a competitive field will feature seven returners who surpassed 40-feet last year.
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50-10 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 42-6 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 40-10 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 40-7 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 40-7 | 2016 | ||
| 6 | 40-2.5 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 40-2 | 2016 | ||
| 8 | 39-9 | 2015 | ||
| 9 | 39-7.5 | 2015 | ||
| 10 | 39-4.75 | 2015 |
Triple Jump-
2015 State Champion: Nichyria Byrd (Chicago Ogden International) 38-11.75 [+1.2]
Key returners: Annie Carlson (Sr., Westmont), Tarynn Mays (Jr., Duquoin), Madison Leysaht (So., Peoria Christian),
Outlook: Three-time state champion Nicky Byrd is now at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville along with her legacy as one of the best ever to come out of Illinois. Third placer Annie Carlson now has an opportunity to stamp herself as the queen of the triple jumper.
2015 State Champion: Nichyria Byrd (Chicago Ogden International) 38-11.75 [+1.2]
Key returners: Annie Carlson (Sr., Westmont), Tarynn Mays (Jr., Duquoin), Madison Leysaht (So., Peoria Christian),
Outlook: Three-time state champion Nicky Byrd is now at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville along with her legacy as one of the best ever to come out of Illinois. Third placer Annie Carlson now has an opportunity to stamp herself as the queen of the triple jumper.
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 39-11.5 | 2015 | |||
| 2 | 36-6.75 | 1.0 | 2016 | ||
| 3 | 36-6.5 | 2.2 | 2015 | ||
| 4 | 36-5 | 0.3 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 36-4.5 | 1.9 | 2017 | ||
| 6 | 35-11 | 1.8 | 2018 | ||
| 7 | 35-9 | 0.0 | 2015 | ||
| 8 | 35-8.75 | 2.1 | 2017 | ||
| 9 | 35-6.5 | 1.9 | 2017 | ||
| 10 | 35-6 | 2015 |
Discus Throw-
2015 State Champion: Kathleen "KD" Young (Jr., Warrensburg-Latham) 143-11
Key returners: Young, Rachel Clowers (Sr., Pleasant Hill), Mikah Maples (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Mazi Walker (So., Winchester), Abby Nicholson (Sr., Jamaica), Megan McElroy (Jr., Illini West)
Outlook: KD led the state with a 152-4 phenomenal effort that rated #25 in the country. The discus is Young's secondary event and one that she has admitted to not putting in the same work ethic as her beloved shot put. Nine state finalists return including Rachel Clowers who tossed the plate a very good 142-10 (third best in all of Illinois). It is safe to say that Class A is healthy in this event for 2016.
2015 State Champion: Kathleen "KD" Young (Jr., Warrensburg-Latham) 143-11
Key returners: Young, Rachel Clowers (Sr., Pleasant Hill), Mikah Maples (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Mazi Walker (So., Winchester), Abby Nicholson (Sr., Jamaica), Megan McElroy (Jr., Illini West)
Outlook: KD led the state with a 152-4 phenomenal effort that rated #25 in the country. The discus is Young's secondary event and one that she has admitted to not putting in the same work ethic as her beloved shot put. Nine state finalists return including Rachel Clowers who tossed the plate a very good 142-10 (third best in all of Illinois). It is safe to say that Class A is healthy in this event for 2016.
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 152-4 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 142-10 | 2016 | ||
| 3 | 139-3 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 133-0 | 2016 | Tuscola Open1st | |
| 5 | 131-7 | 2016 | ||
| 6 | 131-4 | 2017 | ||
| 8 | 125-0 | 2015 | ||
| 9 | 124-3 | 2016 | ||
| 10 | 123-4 | 2018 |