Girls' 2023 IHSA State Preview: We're All the way Back!

May 17, 2023

Grace Erb anchored Winnebago to a 4x800 title in 2022, and is a major part of the title hopes in 2023. Photo by Charles Green.

1A - Is this Seneca's Year? Does Winnebago continue the trophy streak? What new stars will emerge?

The 2022 trophies went to Tuscola, surprise Newark, and Winnebago. Winnebago's team trophy was for the second straight year, and in 2023, the Indians are in line to make a run at their third straight trophy. This is a crucial year for Winnebago, who will graduate Grace Erb, Kaylee Woolery, Campbell Schrank, Amanda Gustafson, and Marissa Roggensack this year. The points can be plentiful for the Indians, and will likely start with the 4x800 where they are favored to finish at least in the top-2. With Gustafson in the throws, Schrank in the hurdles, and Erb, Woolery, Roggensack, and improving freshman Morgan Capriola, Winnebago has 60-point potential and it will take a genuinely balanced, powerful team to prevent from winning this year.

Enter Seneca. The Fighting Irish have shown to be that exact kind of team with a consistent, balanced season breaking out, especially at Top Times. The show of Seneca's depth begins with the relays, where all four have major scoring potential, particularly the 4x200 and 4x400. Then, add in Anna Bruno (Sr.) and Teagan Johnson (Jr.), who cover the LJ, TJ, and PV and could combine to score as many as 20 points. Evelyn O'Connor (So.) will score in the 800 and Caitlyn O'Boyle (Sr.) is a hurdle scorer as well. For Seneca to overtake Winnebago, the relays will have to show out. It will be the first title for one of these two teams.

The field has work to do to catch these two teams, but if anyone can do it, it'll be Tuscola and Fr. McGivney. For Tuscola's part, the majority of the points will come from the quad of star Lia Patterson (So.) in the 100, 200, 100h, and 300h. Patterson is a favorite in each of the hurdles but has her work more cut out for her in the sprints when you consider Lindley Johnston (Sr., Stark County), Kaitlyn Vahling (Jr., Teutopolis), Kaylin Moreland (Sr., Meridian), Cambria Geyer (Sr., Tremont), and Kiara Wesseh (Jr., Newark). Patterson is supported by Kate Foltz (Fr.), who is entered in the 3200/1600, and thrower Natalie Hasting (Jr) who can score in both throws. Fr. McGivney's trophy approach begins immediately in the 4x800, where they are the field's best chance at taking down Winnebago.

The McGivney 4x800 has run 9:33, better than Winnebago's 9:35. This relay and the 1600 are all that Elena Rybak (So.) will be contesting, while Lilly Gilbertson (So.) runs the 200 and 400. Kaitlyn Hatley (Sr.) will run the 800. Mia Range (Fr.) rounds out Fr. McGivney's scoring chances (in the HJ) in addition to their 4x400, so they will have to score big in those events to narrow the gap to Seneca and Winnebago.

Vahling and Jada Buehnerkemper (Jr.), as well as the 4x100, are scorers for Teutopolis, especially Vahling who will contest the 4x100, 100, 200, and 400. She will be tested throughout a long day of Saturday competition, but her being on her game can produce a 40-point total for Teutopolis. Eureka, Henry-Senachwine, Eureka, Pope County, Stark County, Monmouth United, Maroa-Forsyth, Marshall, Rockford Christian, and Tremont will all vie for positions in the top 10.

Ahry Comer won the 1A 800 in 2022 despite her heavy event load. In 2023, she is entered in the 3200, 800, 400, and 1600.

Notes on Individual Races and Other Storylines -

-This can be a coming-of-age party for Molly Farrell (Fr., Marshall) in the 3200 and the 1600. Farrell's 10:37 2-mile best from Distance Night in Palatine is the best 1A distance performance of the season. She's the favorite in the 3200. She returns in the 1600, where she is on the shortlist of potential winners, but that task will be more difficult with Ahry Comer (Jr., Pope County) and Elena Rybak in the mix in that race. The distances abound with athletes choosing to double or triple. Eden Mueller (Sr., Mercer County), Arianna Neisen, and Kate Foltz are notable 3200/1600 entries. Joining Comer in the distance triple for the second straight year is Kennady Andersen.

-To say that Comer is doing a triple is actually only partially the truth. The Pope County junior is also entered in the 400 and is the third overall seed in the quarter, which means finals qualifications will result in seven individual races during the weekend for Comer. She is the defending 800m champion, and will have her work cut out for her with the heavy event load should she elect to contest everything.

-Henry-Senachwine has high point total hopes on the backs of two stellar athletes. The first, Laney Lester (Sr.), is more established and has the potential to win both throws on Saturday in 1A. The other, Daniella Bumber (Fr.), competes in her first IHSA state meet and can ascend to immediate relevance in the classification with strong races in the 100, 200, and 400. Bumber had success during middle school and in the summer track season and competed often during the outdoor high school season but saved her best performances for her sectional triple. She's the #1 overall 400 seed.

- The hurdles in 1A have been well-defined by Cambria Geyer and Lia Patterson, especially with Altamont junior Grace Nelson out for the season. Kendall Stewart (Jr. Litchfield) and Makhiya Stephen (Jr., Maroa-Forsyth) are both potential spoilers in the hurdles and deserve mention here with strong late-season performances entering the state meet.

- Mya Strahm (So., Elmwood) was the first 13' vaulter of the year, doing it in Texas back in December. After suffering an injury at The Misfits Invitational in January, however, her scholastic season was in danger of ending before it began. A swift recovery puts Strahm back on the runway after a 2.77m clearance got her to Charleston. Without the reps from a normal season, her prospects are unclear, and if she wants to win state, she will have to do it from Flight 2, whereas favorites Reagan Gibson (Jr., Indian Creek) and Payton Carter (Jr., St. Joseph-Ogden) face-off in Flight 1.