Liam Bettis for the boys and Zion Young for the girls kick things off as our feature cover athletes
Weekly Downstate Athlete Spotlight
The weekly downstate athlete spotlight highlights 10 athletes from central and southern Illinois who delivered great performances and deserve recognition.
Week at a Glance
This week's newsletter highlights performances from central Illinois and downstate athletes during the early stages of the indoor season. These performances took place during the club/unattached season, but signal big things ahead for these athletes. Check out some of the athletes who have stood out so far from the downstate area!
Athlete Spotlights-
Liam Bettis - Taylorville HS
Grade: Junior
Event: Mile: 4:15.21, 2 Mile:
Performance Highlight: Liam is coming off a great track season and showed out to open his season at the Misfits' Invite by winning the Tracksmith Mile. This is an athlete to keep an eye on outdoors and clearly looks poised for a major breakthrough this outdoor season. Coming off a stellar cross country campaign, Liam is looking to win his first state title on the track, and all indications are that his preparation for the season is going well!
https://il.milesplit.com/videos/784711/liam-bettis-does-the-talking-with-his-feet
Ali Londrigan - Chatham (Glenwood) HS
Grade: Junior
Event: Mile 4:58.67, 2 Mile: 11:03.28
Performance Highlight: Londrigan took the Chicago area again this winter and threw down some solid times to start the season. After a great XC season, Londrigan looks to improve on and break the school records she set last year and step into a leadership role for a strong Glenwood girls' team that will surprise some people this outdoor season.
Colton Ladage - Chatham (Glenwood) HS
Grade: Senior
Event: 60m Dash 6.92, 200m Dash 22.30
Performance Highlight: The senior from Glenwood excelled during the club season. He has always had great club seasons, but this year he has really taken it to the next level. Colton has set himself up for a great senior year for the Titans of Glenwood, who look to compete at the top of the CS8 and Class 3A.
Will Nohren - Shelbyville HS
Grade: Senior
Event: High Jump 2.10m (6-10.75)
Performance Highlight: Will Nohren may be the best downstate athlete this season. The senior is a big-time talent and proved it last year, earning all-American status at the U20 championships. Nohren should be at the top of the high jump state rankings all season.
Ben Gorsage - Washington HS
Grade: Junior
Event: 800m 1:54.36
Performance Highlight: Corsage has put himself in the conversation for the 800 state title with his stellar performance this winter, running an Illinois Number 1 in the 800 in early January. This athlete has been on the rise the past couple of seasons and has put himself directly in the spotlight for the upcoming indoor season.
Parker Owens - Edwardsville HS
Grade: Sophomore
Event: Pole Vault 4.80m (15-9)
Performance Highlight: The sophomore from Edwardsville is ready to be a state contender for an Edwardsville team that looks to replace some major firepower from last season. Owens steps right into that role for the Tigers, opening his season with a 15-9 vault at the National Pole Vault Summit. The Tigers will need Owens to keep shining as they look to extend their streak of top finishes in 3A.
Paityn Brady - Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
Grade: Sophomore
Event: 800m 2:24.78, 1,000m 3:06.76, 2 mile 11:43.66
Performance Highlight: Paityn Brady has been around for a while, thanks to her exploits in junior high. Her freshman season was spectacular, and she took another big step last XC season. She has taken to the club scene this winter and put down some very solid early-season marks. She will be a key piece on an SHG team that looks to have trophy aspirations in 2A.
Isabella Thurston - Normal (University)
Grade: Junior
Event: Shot Put 11.59m (38-0.25)
Performance Highlight: Isabella Thurston is a legitimate threat to add more state titles to her collection. The defending state champion on the discus opened up her indoor season with a massive throw for early January. Thurston leads a U-High team looking to defend their state title in Class 2A.
Peyton Zeidler - Rochester HS
Grade: Junior
Event: High Jump 1.60m (5-3), Triple Jump 11.00m (36-1.25), Long Jump 5.29m (17-4.25)
Performance Highlight: Peyton Zeidler has taken the next step in her jumping career this indoor season, putting out a solid IL #1 in the high jump early this year. Zeidler burst on the scene last year, and her exploits in the triple jump pushed her to the top of the uber-competitive Central State 8. This year, she will look to expand on her success and take on the best in the state!
Zion Young - Maroa-Forsyth
Grade: Junior
Event: Shot Put 12.91 (42-4.25)
Performance Highlight: Last year's 3rd-place finisher outdoors in the shot put, Zion Young, looks to compete for the state title this season. She popped a big Illinois #1 mark in December and looks to be a force for an up-and-coming M-F team this season.
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Submit stats, results, or highlights to Trae Cotner: tcotner@sps186.org