Elijah Teefey is one of the bright spots emerging in downstate Illinois!
Weekly Downstate Athlete Spotlight
Author: Trae Cotner
The weekly downstate athlete spotlight highlights athletes from the central Illinois and southern Illinois areas who had great performances that deserve recognition.
Week at a Glance
This week's newsletter highlights some very strong performances across the state. This was a big week in the downstate with big meets hosted by both Mt. Zion and Clinton. A few downstate athletes made the trip north to Chicago as well and turned in some very solid results.
Athlete Spotlights
Tip: Keep each athlete section consistent so readers can skim easily
Ali Londrigan - Chatham (Glenwood) HS
Grade: Junior
Event: 1 Mile Run- 4:56.34
Performance Highlight: Londrigan broke the overall school record in the 1600/mile at the Chicago. Londrigan ran 4:56.34 to place 2nd against a very strong field, lowering her mile PR by over two seconds.
Elijah Teefey - Pleasant Plains HS
Grade: Senior
Event: 1600m- 4:21.95
Performance Highlight: Teefey continued his strong run recently, following a breakout XC season, and dominated the 1600 field at the Brazen Brave invite in Mt. Zion, setting a personal best in the distance. Teefey leads a very strong Pleasant Plains team with trophy hopes outdoors.
Aubrey Denning - Effingham(St. Anthony) HS
Grade: Junior
Event: 800m- 2:24.22, 1600m- 5:18.75
Performance Highlight: Denning opened her indoor campaign in 2026 with a double win in Mt. Zion. The junior ran a solid early-season time of 2:24.22 to take down a strong field and came back to win the 1600 as well. The St. Anthony's girls team has a legitimate shot at a state title outdoors, and Denning will look to improve on this solid start throughout the season.
Sophia Shapiro - Edwardsville HS
Grade: Junior
Event: 60m-7.86, 60m- Hurdles 8.98, 400m- 58.72
Performance Highlight: Sophie Shapiro is a key component of a very strong Edwardsville Lady Tiger squad. She finished a strong 2nd in both of the 60m races and came back to win the 400 in a very solid 58.72. If the Tigers have trophy aspirations outdoors, Shapiro is one of the leaders of this extremely talented squad.
Luke Smith - Waterloo HS
Grade: Sophomore
Event: 800 1:59.49
Performance Highlight: Last year's state runner-up in the 800 opened his indoor campaign with a dominant victory at Mt. Zion in 1:59.49. If Smith wants to win the 2A state title, this was a very solid start to bust off the rust. Coach Huffman will have the talented sophomore Smith ready to go outdoors.
Liam Bettis - Taylorville HS
Grade: Junior
Event: 800 1:58.25
Performance Highlight: Liam Bettis continues to show very good form in this early indoor season, taking down the Taylorville Indoor record in the 800 and taking the win at the circuit in Chicago. The speed this young man is showing early is scary for his prospects in the 1600, which looks to be his best shot at a state title outdoors. Although the 2A field is absolutely loaded in all 3 distance events.
Emma Skeate - Marion HS
Grade: Sophomore
Event: Shot Put 12.04m (39-6)
Performance Highlight: Another name to watch in the throws, Emma Skeate, had a very impressive performance in Mt. Zion,
taking the victory in a personal best effort. Add her to the list of talented shot putters in Class 2A.
Shane Box - Collinsville HS
Grade: Senior
Event: Shot Put 17.11m (56-1.75)
Performance Highlight: Stop me if you have heard this before, but Collinsville HS has another talented thrower. Shane Box continues the legacy of the Kahok throws squad, starting off the season with two straight victories at Triad and Mt. Zion. Coach Burgess can flat-out coach the throws, and Box has the potential to add to the all-state count for Collinsville.
Kendall Smith - Mt. Zion HS
Grade: Junior
Event: 60m- 8.04, 60m Hurdles- 8.80, Triple Jump- 11.85m (38-10.5)
Performance Highlight: Kendall Smith has started the season on fire with victories in the 60m, 60 hurdles, and the triple jump in Mt. Zion. Smith looks to be a threat in whatever event she chooses to focus on moving forward, and could be a superstar in the 2A division.
Loyal Patterson - Collinsville HS
Grade: Senior
Event: Triple Jump 14.02m (46-0)
Performance Highlight: This multi-sport talented athlete competes in both the horizontal jumps, but it was his performance in the triple jump that turned heads across the state at Mt. Zion. Jumping 46-0 to set a big personal best and vault himself into the competition for the 2A state title.
Reagan Bishop - Eureka HS
Grade: Junior
Event: Pole Vault 3.83m (12-6.75)
Performance Highlight: Reagan Bishop opened her season at the Clinton Early Bird, vaulting a new personal best of 12-6.75 and placing herself among the contenders in the pole vault this season.
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Submit stats, results, or highlights to: tcotner@sps186.org