Jackson Gilbert (middle) represented himself and Urbana HS well in the 2A 200m final
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4x800: History was set here for the Chicago Public League and of course Payton for winning this one. The Grizzlies mauled their way to the finish line by staying in the lead or near the front of the pack until the anchor position. Evan Rainville (Sr) bolted away with a 1:53.25 carry that secured the victory in a school record 7:53.59. Last year's champion, Lincoln, took second in 7:54.94.
4x100: Herrin's star sprinters Chris Nelson (So) and Kyrese Lukens (So) are the main reason the team rocked their opponents and the crowd with a toasting 41.66. The time rates #3 overall in the state and second fastest in a merge over the weekend (#1- Homewood-Flossmoor).
3200: Multiple kids running under 9:10 at the state meet doesn't happen in this classification. Ethan Hogan (Jr., Columbia) and Dale Johnson (Jr., Sterling) clocked 9:02.22 and 9:08.77 They were virtually locked in step until the final lap when Hogan ditched Johnson for the six-second win.
110HH: Jaden Bossie (Sr., Chicago Mt. Carmel) had the top seed but he would take fifth overall. Ajani Rush (Sr., Country Club Hills Hillcrest) won an emotional final in 14.26-14.28 over Keshawn Lyons (Sr., Cahokia). Rush busts his emotions toward his fans in the stands and perhaps his fallen twin brother.
100: Braydon Waller (Sr., Chicago Heights Marian) was among the elite speedsters during the indoor season. Coming into the championship final, all eyes were on the defending champion Chris Nelson who clocked a wind-aided 10.44 in his prelim. Waller got the bead on his competitors once again and sped off for the win in 10.75 (-1.0). Nelson took second in 11.07.
800: Patrick Hilby (Jr., Aurora Central Catholic) showed his true colors over the final 200 which separated the men from the boys as they say. The final time was a state leading and US#15 1:50.49.
4x200: Herrin was back at it again seeking and searching for another relay victory. Chris Nelson got the crowd on its feet as he took the baton on anchor and turned a close affair into a distant one as the Tigers won in an IL#3 1:27.25
400: With the ominous disqualification of state leader Jackson Gilbert (Sr., Urbana) set up a quality matchup between juniors Davion Montgomery of E. St. Louis Sr and Deangelo Hughey of Mahomet-Seymour. Montgomery maintained an early lead that was severely tightened by Hughey in the final meters. The final time was a personal best 48.17 for Montgomery. For Hughey, he clocked 48.42 but was grateful after originally being ruled DQ'ed in Friday's preliminary.
300H: Demarlynn Taylor (Sr., E. St. Louis Sr) completed an undefeated season and collected a personal best IL#3 37.85 in the process.
1600: For the second straight day, Gavin Genisio (Jr., Benton) set a ridiculous pace and sped away from his competitors. He hit the first two circuits in 58.6 and 1:59.8. He slowed on the third lap but still comfortably ahead in 3:02 at 1200m. There would be no sub 4:00 time but a consolation 4:08.68- the second fastest time in the state.
200: In his last open high school race, it was bittersweet for arguably the state's top overall speedster who was denied two previous medals (DQ- 400, FS- 4x1). Gilbert Jackson viciously maintained his slight advantage for the win in 21.64.
4x400: The race on the track was exciting as E. St. Louis Sr held off Urbana 3:18.73-3:18.92. Jackson's 47.1 got the crowd on its collective feet.
Pole Vault: Paul Migas (Jr., Lakes) earned his second title in a row along with a personal best of 16-1.25.
High Jump: Unhearded despite being a winner (2023 basketball), baseball pitcher, and now the outdoor title to his resume. Drew Tucker (Sr., Metamora) eclipsed 6-7.50 at the right time to distance himself away from a flight of 6-5 and 6-6 performers.
Long Jump: Jayden Jones (Jr., Macomb) completes an undefeated outdoor season and collected a PB 22-11.75. Jones also won the unofficial indoor state title in March.
Shot Put: Chase Crawford (Sr., Cahokia) got the coveted state title that he yearned for since last year. His 63-3.25 was the best mark merged over the weekend.
Triple Jump: It was an easy win for Nicholas Deloach (Sr., Cahokia) despite fouling on his first two attempts and only getting on the board twice. His legal mark of 46-0 in the fourth round was the difference.
Discus Throw: Caleb Smith (Jr., Salem) produced one of the biggest turnarounds from one year to the next. He finished 25 in the prelims of '22 to the victory podium this time. Smith avenged his two losses to JehChys Brown (Sr., Centralia) in a PB 182-3. Smith also finished second in the shot put.