Triple Jump competitor Keenan Powell (Jr., Litchfield) soars to a third-place finish
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4x800: Elgin Christian Harvest had their trump card on anchor despite having the lead. Senior Daniel Winkelman blazed home in 1:53.41, the overall time of 7:58.35- the only Class A team under 8:00 this season.
4x100: It was a day of surprises here. Some thought Bloomington Central Catholic or Madison would take the title. BCC, who are the class leaders, did not make the final. Madison had some mishaps which opened the door for Forreston to take the win in 42.91.
3200: Tommy Murray (Sr., Port Byron Riverdale) has been relatively quiet most of the season, got his first state title by using a huge negative split, and powered himself to victory in 9:14.77.
110HH: Senior Nathan Kirby of Salt Fork was on the team last year but was able to contribute as much as he liked because of injuries. This season, he was on a mission and helped his squad earn another state title. Kirby got the job done with a personal best 14.28.
100: Peyton Locke (Sr., Rockridge) beat a great field and earned the gold medal in 10.86.
800: Julian Aske (Sr., Evanston Beacon Academy) moves up one spot over last year to the gold medal status. Aske sealed his win just before the 600 mark and won in a PB 1:53.53.
4x200: Nathan Kirby earns his second gold medal by anchoring his mates who turned back Madison 1:28.69-1:28.99.
400: Reece Curtis (Jr., St. Anne) is a pretty good and well-rounded athlete who won the state crown in 49.28 PB.
300H: Jackson Kern (Sr., Auburn) was the defending champion but yet some thought the great Daryl Okeke (Sr., Judah Christian) would be victorious. Kern had other plans as he used his best-ever performance and dropped the second fastest time in the state of 37.80.
1600: Tommy Murray returned and despite being spent, had enough juice to hold on for the win over Isaiah Hill (Jr., Elmwood) in 4:19.24.
200: Supreme Muhammad (Jr., Winnebago) was disappointed in losing the 100, but got a measure of revenge against Peyton Locke in a class-best 21.60.
4x400: Ridgeview got their first relay win of the weekend, squeezing past Shelbyville in 3:22.03.
Pole Vault: The Isaiah Whitaker era is here! The freshman from Bloomington Central Catholic did not let the pressure of stardom get to him. He set the class record 16-8.75. Whitaker is already the state leader at 16-9.25 and #1 freshman in the state.
High Jump: The state's top jumper and the only one to clear 7 feet this season is Mason Kooi (Sr., Springfield Lutheran). Kooi avenged his only defeat in 2023 against Noah Gilmore (Jr., Robinson). Kooi topped his adversary with a clearance of 6-8.75.
Long Jump: K.J. Davis (Sr., Palestine Co-op) won a tight battle that featured several competitors whose season best was over 22 feet. However, it came down to who wanted it more and Davis' 21-4.75 was the best of the lot.
Shot Put: Garrett Taylor (Sr., Salt Fork) is known more for his discus throwing but gets his first state title here and a 60-7.25 toss as well.
Triple Jump: The state leader Cabott Craft (Sr., St. Thomas More) was not in the field which opened the door for the unlikely winner Max Milbrath (Jr., Pecatonica) to win his first title with a leap of 44-10.25.
Discus Throw: Garrett Taylor is the state's best thrower and he earned his second title in a row with a ringer that touched down at 183-7.