3A highlights-
Prospect finally put together their Grade A 4x800 lineup together and demonstrated how tough they really were. The Knights put away a close affair on the third leg and cruised home on the strength of sophomore Lily Ginsberg's 2:13.2 anchor and final tally US#8 9:10.38.
Whitney Young produced a number of top performances that led to their team title. The Dolphins won both the 4x100 (47.84) and 1:40.06. Senior twins Rachel Robinson and Sydney Robinson put on a masterful display by going 1-2 in the 100 (12.03, 12.08). The dynamic duo was second and third in the 200 (Sydney 24.77, Rachel 24.90).
Freshman sensation Katelyn Lehnen of Chatham-Glenwood put a stamp on her first season with three medals. Lehnen faded to third in the 100 (12.23), fourth in 400 (56.43), and first in the 200 (24.75). Lehnen will be someone that we all pay close attention to next year from the outset.
"Ali" Allison Ince completed her sophomore campaign for Normal Community as one of the most controversial and hyped up in state meet history. After many weeks of talk regarding Ince winning four events across a variety of spectrums, she was able to get through the matrix alive and well despite several scrapes. Ince won the 800 (2:10.22), 400 (55.25 IL#1), and third in the team's 4x400 (3:57.82).
Audrey Allman (Sr., Glenbard West) put all of her eggs in one basket and it paid off as she ran completely unopposed after the first lap and won in a personal best 4:49.81. Allman adds to the Hilltoppers collection of state champion performers at the state meet.
Hurdle phenom junior Ana-Liese Torian of Homewood-Flossmoor blazed the field in the 100H (13.82) and won her first 300H crown with a big 42.88.
Evanston topped off the meet with an easy 4x400 win in 3:47.45. The performance was not only a total domination but a top 20 performance in the country and underrated.
Alex Johnson defended her long jump title with less drama than before despite the competition being held indoors for weather-related issues. The junior from Huntley leaped an IL#1 19'8.25" and proved she is indeed the best in the state. Denise Hernandez (Sr., Naperville North) completed the task she set for herself with a runner-up medal 19'2.75".
The University of Illinois bound pole vaulter Mia Morello of Grayslake Central got her title and a state-leading mark 12'3.75" despite indoors.
2A highlights-
Emmi Scales (Jr., Arlington Heights St. Viator) entered the scene this past indoor state meet as someone to watch for. That trend continued in Charleston as she won three events: 100, 100HH, and 300H. Scales add depth to the much-needed sprints and hurdles arena.
The track race of the day produced three top 20 USA marks. The 3200 featured Tatum David (Jr., Richland County), Elia Ton-That (Sr., Chicago Northside Prep), and Mary Grace Hegberg (Sr., St. Viator). The trio plus added cargo Mia Kotler and Delaney Fitzgerald (Sr., Normal University) hit the first mile in 5:09. Kotler hung right in there for the next few circuits before falling off. That's because Hegberg, Ton-That, and especially David were churning out fast laps. But it was all David in the end as she marked her happy return back to Illinois with a time of 10:04.02.
Kankakee was a team favorite coming in and the Kays did not disappoint. Starting with two relay wins 4x100 and 4x200 and punctuated by a slew of timely individual performances made the 74-point total oh so sweet. Nevaeh Lowe (jr) was third in the 100, freshman Naomi Bey-Osborne was victorious in the 400 and 200, and Na'Kyrah Cooks (So) won the long title (17'10.25") on her next to final attempt. The icing on the cake was the victory in the showstopping 4x400 which produced the fastest time in the classification (3:57.93).
One of the hidden gems of the weekend was Becca Heitzig (So., Lincoln). She is multi-talented enough to run the 400 to the two-mile and was an all-star cross country runner last fall. Heitzig completed her undefeated season with a runaway victory and class record 2:09.99. As well she produced the fastest merge time.
The 1600 was similar to the 3200 in that it was action-packed and filled with some of the same co-stars. Enter Ava Parekh of Chicago Latin. The outstanding senior has been marred by nagging injuries which does not help the mindset in championship time. But as a Doberman pincher, one has to remain strong and keep a keen eye on the competition. Parekh joined David and Hegberg in the chase mix. Ton-That was lurking as well. The halfway point was reached in 2:23 and later the 1200 in 3:38. Tatum launched the final lap in 69.2 to separate from Hegberg and too much of a gap for Parekh to cover. The winning time was 4:47.52. Four girls ran 4:55 or faster.
Geneseo did not have the magic that won them a state title last year. But there were a few nice highlights like junior Annie Wirth winning the high jump with a state-best and US#11 5'10".
Class A highlights-
There were several stars in the show here but let's start with senior Alyssa Williams. The former football player from Tuscola was as intense as you can get in a track meet. After a so-so performance in Thursday's prelim, she was hell-bent on competing at maximum level in the finals. Williams took third in the long jump but turned up with three gold medals: 100 (12.31), 200 (25.04), and 4x200 (1:44.11). Tuscola would take the team title over Newark 57-54.
Another standout was basketball star-track star Grace Nelson. Just a sophomore at Altamont, Nelson cruised to the championship in three events. Her bread and butter race is the 100HH and she won it easily in 14.19. It was an ugly affair in the 300H as Nelson lost her steps a few times and knocked over a hurdle from the lane and nearly fell to the ground. Be as it may Cambria Geyer (Jr., Tremont) escaped with the win 44.43-44.81.
Winnebago ran away from the pack early to win the 4x800 in one of the fastest times ever in the classification, 9:28.95.
Anna Perry (Sr., Eureka) spoiled Ahry Comer's (So. Pope County) bid to win multiple events. Perry woke from a season-long slumber and ran a personal best 10:49.98 for the victory. Comer returned to take the 800 in 2:16.07.
Elena Rybak (Fr., Father McGivney) ran away with the 1600 title- the only class kid to break 5:00 (4:59.82)
Megan Williams (Sr., Newark) swept the jumps, taking the long jump (18'6.75") and triple jump (37'0"). Jenae Bothe (Sr., Oregon) finished her season undefeated in the shot put. She launched the ball 43'2.5".
Olivia Campbell (Sr., Pittsfield) got her state title in the discus throw taking down the state leader Cassidy Clark of Mt. Pulaski. Phillips, who is known for the hammer throw, won the DT in a personal best 139'4"
Brooke Probst (Sr., Indian Creek) got her first state title in the high jump with a solid 5'7.75"