The opening of the 1600m championship
======
RESULTS I VIDEOS I PHOTOS
4x800 relay: Winnebago had been the top team from the onset of the season so it was no surprise to see the Indians easily win another title. This was done in one of the classification's fastest-ever times- 9:22.77. The final two legs were 2:18.53 and 2:19.21.
4x100 relay: The classification's top team was Rockford Christian who ran 49.11 in early April. The Royals were recharged from going 50.05 in their prelim win to dropping to 49.48 and overcoming Monmouth who took second in 49.53.
3200: It was very close between Molly Farrell (Fr., Marshall) and Kate Foltz (Fr., Tuscola) for most of the race. Farrell controlled the tempo as they hit the first half in 5:26 and 5:27. Farrell encountered some resistance from Foltz on the bell at 9:37, but she was able to stretch the previous three-second advance back to that level, and the win 10:50.90-10:53.32.
100H: The Illinois State University-bound Cambria Geyer (Sr., Tremont) went undefeated in an all-conditions best 14.23w [+2.3].
100: Kaylin Moreland (Sr., Meridian) picks up her first Century title in a PB 12.22. The wind was also a legal +0.3
800: The defending champion Ahry Comer (Sr., Pope County) indicated that after her prelim race, she wanted another title in a personal best. She got them both with a convincing 2:12.65 victory. It is the 10th-best time in the state this season.
4x200 relay: The fans love dramatic finishing relays at the state meet. Rockford Christan trailed Seneca on the final exchange until the anchor Avery Demo (Sr) roared home with less than 50m remaining to give the Royals the win in 1:43.85.
400: Ahry Comer won her second title of the weekend in an IL#6 56.85 PB
300H: The hurdles can be a mystery event that is unforgiving and so can pressure. Cambria Geyer opened fast against the field and led comfortably through the first five hurdles. However, a fast-charging Lia Patterson (So., Tuscola) came up on Geyer just after the sixth hurdle and Geyer tripped and fell to the track. Patterson motored home for the win in 43.76- the second-fastest time in the state and a top 100 national mark.
1600: The opening pace wasn't incredibly quick but it seemed to unnerve the field. Elena Rybak (So., Father McGivney) had a two-second advantage on the field in 1:13. The lead stretched to about eight or nine seconds at the halfway point in 2:26. Rybak would coast home for the repeat championship in 5:03.07.
200: Lia Patterson returned to produce her second title of the day in a slightly wind-aided (+2.1) 24.96w.
4x400: Seneca finally got a relay win and cemented the runner-up trophy. The time was a class best 4:02.53.
Pole Vault: On the shelf for most of the outdoor season due to injury, Mya Strahm (So., Elmwood) rose to the challenge of her pre-season outlook. She and four other vaulters cleared 12 feet. Strahm earned the win on fewer misses.
High Jump: The class leader Kiara Wesseh (Jr., Newmark) moved up one spot from a year ago for the win in 5-5.75.
Long Jump: It is a testament Anna Bruno (Sr., Seneca) who improved each of the past several years to finally earn the title. Already the class leader, Bruno leaped 18-0.50 on her fourth attempt for the victory.
Shot Put: Believe it or not, the first winner of the day that sparked Winnebago's state championship run was senior Amanda Gustafson who won the title on her final throw that sailed 39-6.50.
Triple Jump: Kelsey Hutchins (Sr., Sherrard) battled two girls for the crown and won it on the final jump which was a class best personal best of 37-5.25.
Discus Throw: The favorite Laney Lester (Sr., Henry-Senachwine) maintained control throughout the competition and won by four feet with a toss of 130-1.