The first item on the agenda was the shot put, in which three of the top throwers in the state (regardless of class) resided here. Top-ranked Chelsey Stotler (Sr., Stark County) admitted to feeling some pressure coming in as she fouled on her first attempt and managed just 39'9'25" on her throw. She uncoiled a best of 42'4.25" that was able to hold on throughout the weekend. It was a big relief for her and a huge group of supporters. There were five throwers over 40 feet, the most of any classification.
Staying outside in the field with the discus throw, Hannah Gibson (Sr., Carlinville) pulled off one of the most thrilling upsets in a long time. She ranked #6 in the class and had an effort near the bottom of the qualifiers. But as they say, championships are on the battlefield, not on paper. Gibson put pressure on the favorites with a throw of 141'8" in the prelim round that held up. Opponents of late had been tormented by Brenna Dutcher (Sr., Warrensburg-Latham), mounted a comeback, launching her best throw in the fifth round that sailed 141'3." Gibson would hold on for the big victory.
Alexis Punsalan (So., Somonauk) was the surprise winner in the pole vault, clearing a lifetime best of 12'0." Punsalan only had two misses before attempting 12'3.50."
Future DePaul University heptathlete Aubrey Phillips (Sr., El Paso-Gridley) was a big part of her team's run for the state championship. As part of a unique double, she placed fifth in the shot put (40'0.50") and then won her favorite event, the high jump with a leap of 5'5.75." She also ran on the 4x2 and 4x4 relays.
Saylor Barry (Jr., Mendon Unity) was the heavy favorite coming in with a 19'2" PB. She nearly matched her best with a wind legal 18'11.25."
It was a close battle in the triple jump between the favorite Tori Brown (Sr., Illini Bluffs) and Emma Behrmann (Jr., Nashville). Behrmann maintained her lead from the second jump and won with a personal best wind legal 37'5.25."
Back on the track-
Isabella Keller (So., Effingham St. Anthony) returned from a season-long hiatus because of a leg injury at the sectional round. Keller passed the fitness and post-race soreness test to compete at the state meet. She easily advanced in Thursday's 1600 prelim with a time of 5:03.45 to the final. All systems go for the day's first final on the track, the 3200. As expected, Keller sat behind the leaders Kate Foltz (Jr., Tuscola) and Kyla Babb (Jr., Westmont) for the race's first half. She was itching to take charge, finally seizing the lead on the fifth lap. Holding a slim advantage (6:32.27) with three laps remaining, Keller increased it to five seconds over Babb on the gun lap. There was no announcement of one by the meet announcer, but Keller had the presence of mind to truck it and finish ahead and repeat her title in 10:20.92.
4x800: Shelbyville ran 9:39.76 in the prelim and held the top qualifying mark. For the final, the Rams turned up the heat a bit more on the competition. Anchor Lily Woolery clocked 2:14.58 to lead her team to the victory in 9:23.52.
4x100: After picking up a strong fifth place in the 4x8, it was time to gather some big points for El Paso-Gridley. The Titans got the best of the previous class leader, Maroa-Forsyth, with a strong win in 48.90. They were the first and only team under 49 seconds in the class ranks.
100H: Friends and competitors Lia Patterson (Sr., Tuscola) and Lily Bosnich (Jr., Peru St. Bede) go at it hurdle for hurdle, but it was Patterson first through the finish line in a personal best 14.39 (+2.3). Bosnich clocked 14.43, and the smiles would reign between the pair throughout the awards ceremony.
100: The first sighting of Emma Randecker (Sr., Savannah West Carroll) who was vying for a triple crown (100, 200, 400). Narrowly missing the class record in Thursday's prelim, Randecker was focused as she tore down the track in reverse and broke the class record held by Courtney Sockwell since 2017 in 11.91 (+0.8)
800: Elena Rybak of Father McGivney is back on the scene with a ton of reflection and gratitude. The super senior was the state's top returner in the half mile, but missed the entire indoor season rehabbing an injury from cross country. Feeling fleet and fresh, Rybak showed no rust, hitting the first circuit in 62.6 and miles ahead of the field. She would dash home for the victory in a new class record of 2:08.30.
4x200: Seasonal leader El-Paso Gridley passed through the prelim round with the fastest time of 1:44.56. The Titans put their foot to the pedal and rocked the field with a school record 1:41.96.
400: Randecker polishes off a solid field, including favorites Lilly Gilbertson (Sr., Father McGivney) and Daniella Bumber (Jr., Henry-Senachwine with a personal best 55.78. She wins her second race and needs one more for the Triple Crown.
300H: The two-time defending champion Lia Patterson is back, and it wasn't easy. Patterson maintained the advantage over the field despite a closing Lily Bosnich in the late hurdles. Patterson slightly lost her momentum when she miscounted her step pattern. But she proved too strong and earned the three-peat in 43.16. Bosnich ran a lifetime best 43.40 to finish in the runner-up spot.
1600: Elena Rybak gets the repeat win, but it was a close one with Molly Farrell (Jr., Marshall) nipping on her heels the entire way. Rybak polished off the victory in 4:54.02-4:54.50.
200: Randecker completes the triple crown and takes the class record in 24.33 (-0.3). The future Northern Iowa University recruit managed a smile for a well-done job.
4x400: El Paso-Gridley was going for the relays trifecta, which looked great for three legs. However, Pleasant Plains had other ideas on the anchor leg as Abigail Wolters clocked 57.52 to seal the deal, and the win in 3:59.06. EP ran 3:59.63.