For the first time in the history of Illinois, we produce national champions of the same race of both genders simultaneously
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RESULTS I PHOTOS I VIDEOS
Boston--The final day of competition moved to the New Balance Track & Field Center. The athletes did not disappoint, setting many records from a personal and team perspective.
US#1 800m runner and New Balance N.I.L. signee
Patrick Hilby (Sr., Aurora Central Catholic) was ready to display his status. Finally, after nine sections, the anticipation was here. Hilby indicated that he wanted to control the tempo, and he did. The first 200 was in a blistering 24.54. He continued to press the pace and passed through the 400 in 52.38.
Colin Abrams of Bullis HS was still in contention on the bell lap. Hilby's strength prevailed, and he pulled away for a comfy win 1:48.47. The time established a personal best and an all-time indoor state record.
"Alli" Allison Ince (Sr., Normal Community) had been preoccupied with her team's deep basketball run this winter. None of the few competitions she competed in were of her bread and butter 800m. The recently minted New Balance NIL signee would change that. The defending champion waited through nine sections before taking center stage. She holds the meet record of 2:04.77 from last year. What would this year hold?
Ince did not disappoint.
The nation's top half-miler immediately pressed the pace and grabbed the pole in 29.91. Ince led the first half in 1:00.74.
Olivia Cieslak (Jr., Haverford, PA) trailed only a short distance, but it was clear that Ince was in control.
On the bell, Ince stretched her margin by over a second to 1:31.62. Later, it was a thrilling but easy victory in a national-leading 2:03.85 PB.
Other top notch performances-
Elena Rybak (Jr., Father McGivney) made her national championship debut successful. She missed All-American honors but won section 8 in a US#11 2:09.27.
Ahry Comer (Sr., Pope County) cemented herself as one of state history's best 800m indoor performers. She won section 7 in a personal best 2:11.92.
Gavin Genisio (Sr., Benton) returns 24 hours after a monster DMR anchor leg to earn All-American honors in the mile. Genisio ran a strong tactical race in the final section 9. He motored home with a final 60.7 to run a state-leading 4:07.25.
Camyn Viger (Sr., Plainfield South) doubled back from the 4xMile to run a sizzling mile in an IL#2 4:08.85.
Julian Baker (Sr., Mt. Zion) made his trip to Boston count with a section 3 winner and mile PB 4:16.40.
Will Kozlowski (Sr., Chicago Lane) return less than 12 hours from the 5K and clocked 4:20.49 in the mile.
Dedrick Richardson Jr (Sr., Lincoln-Way East) just missed the long jump final, but he achieved a top 50 mark nationally (23'0")- good for 9th place.
Parrish Hartley (Jr., Chicago Kenwood) is the state leader but placed 16th with a leap of 22'5".
Paul Migas (Sr., Lake Villa Lakes) earned a tough fourth place in the pole vault with a clearance of 17'0.75". An attempt at 17'4.50" would have moved him to second had he made it.
Isaiah Whitaker (So., Bloomington Central Catholic) entered the starting height as the top dogs (15-9) and made it on his first attempt. He bowed out at the next height, 16-2.75, and had to settle for eighth place.
Mya Strahm (Jr., Elmwood) continues her great indoor season with another state record in the pole vault. She took 4th in 13-7.25. The bar was raised to 13-11.25, and she had an opportunity to win it had she cleared the second attempt.
Chelsea Wetzel (Sr., Dunlap) was also in the girls pole vault and finished ninth (12-9.50)
For the first time in the history of Illinois, we produce national champions of the same race of both genders simultaneously