IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship 2013

Mr. John Polka was a former long time coach and teacher at Oak Park (Fenwick) High School who produced many outstanding teams and individuals in his 40+ year career. He is also the official meet manager of the Illinois boys and girls state track and field championships.  

I cannot believe it’s over. I ran my last high school race at the IHSA state meet this past Saturday. It was one amazing ride that led to a memorable four years.

Roselle Lake Park won their fourth consecutive state title scoring 63 points to outdistance a surprising New Lenox Providence Catholic who scored 33 pts.  Pekin on the strength of the legs of Cole Henderson (Jr.) took the third place trophy with 31 pts.

Cahokia won their third state championship in a row and fifth in school history scoring an IHSA record 99.50 points to outdistance runner-up East Saint Louis Senior HS who copped 40 pts.  Bloomington earned the third place trophy by tallying 37 pts.

Sterling Newman Catholic won their state title scoring 41 points to hold off Monmouth-Roseville 31.  Erie [Coop] earned the third place trophy tallying 26 pts.

Roselle Lake Park is in line to become one of a few select teams that have won four state championships.  The last team to do was South Holland Thornwood and their famous four-peat moniker from 2001-04.  We will look at the title picture after the prelims.  Let’s look at each event and how it will impact the overall picture.  

The all-time state meet record for team score is 94.33 points set by Cahokia set against E. St. Louis Sr. who copped 48 in 2006.  The rout was in the old 2A system when the depth of talent was centralized.  The overall talent of 2A is still not as good as it was with two classes which makes the Comanches even more deadly.

The girls broke in the brand spanking new blue track that host Eastern Illinois University recently installed last weekend at their championship.  The outcome produced a bevy of great marks including the evaporation of an ancient record (Shelly McBride’s 800m mark).  The boys will now get their turn to test out the digs and see if they can come up with something similar.