Being undefeated in a track event is a hard thing to do over the course of two years. It's even harder when the state you run in is the always strong distance state of Illinois. Well, Mat Smoody (Palatine, IL) (pictured left by Paul Kwak) accomplished just that two weeks ago, wrapping up his Illinois season with his second consecutive state 800m title. The Wisconsin-bound senior came into the season ranked ninth among returnees nationally, but with some major accomplishments this season and a stronger base, Smoody is looking towards Greensboro, North Carolina and winning a national title. See what Smoody has to say on his tactical state race, how he got into running and what exactly his shoulder tattoo is of.
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The regular season is quickly coming to an end as over a dozen more state meets take place this weekend. States like Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington and Oregon all hold their last contests of the season. MileSplit will keep you up to date with all the top state meet performances, and the few other non-state meets, throughout the weekend, so make sure to keep checking back. (Pictured left: Missouri's Maurice Mitchell wins 100m, 200m & 400m at state, pictured by Tracy Rollins) **Johannes Swanepoel (KS) sets soph. class record in javelin with toss of 221-02!!! Top Boys Weekend Highlights - Maurice Mitchell (MO) wins 100m, 200m, 400m & 4x1 at MO State - North Penn (PA) wins state 4x800m relay in U.S.#1 of 7:38.79 - Jordan Clarke (AK) improves U.S.#1 shot put with 71-03 mark - German Fernandez (CA) runs 8:45.08 3200m, 4:07.62 1600m - Mat Smoody (IL) runs 1:50.71 800 at Illinois State Meet - Raymond Butts (CA) leaps 24-10.50 in long jump in CA - Dominguez (CA) blazes 3:11.50 4x400m relay in California - Rob Finnerty (MN) runs 4:08.76 in 1600m at conference meet - Sam Crouser (OR) tosses javelin 199-06 at Oregon State Champs. Top Girls Weekend Highlights - Laura Roesler (ND) wins 100m, 200m, 400m & 800m at ND State - Alishea Usery (MO) runs 24.43 200m, 54.53 400m at MO State - Chanelle Price (PA) runs 2:02.90 800m to win PA State - Christine Babcock (CA) blazes 4:36.57 1600m run in CA - Fawn Miller (PA) throws soph. class record javelin in 167-02 - Gwynned Mercy (PA) runs 9:04.35 4x800m relay at PA State - Vashti Thomas (CA) 20-05 Long Jump, 43-01.50 TJ & U.S. #1 - Cydney Ross (MO) runs 2:09.88 800m, 4:55.23 1600m at MO State - Stephanie Foreman (AR) vaults 13-06.25 to win PV at AR MOC - Tynita Butts (VA) leaps 20-04.50 in LJ at regional meet in Virginia - Jacquelyn Coward (TN) runs 13.48 100mH, 41.11 300mH at state - Kathy Kroeger (TN) runs 10:49.89 3200m, 4:55.62 1600m in TN
The final day of the IHSA boys track and field season is finally here. The long-awaited meet always provides some amazing highlights and this year should be no different. Keep checking back throughout the day for results, highlights and much more. Top State Meet Highlights - Kevin Havel (IL) wins 3200m run in 9:01.37 - St. Charles North wins boys 4x8 in IL #1 of 7:45.97 - Dan Block (Lake Park) throws 63-03.75 SP on Friday, wins AA - Matt Eader (West Frankfort) wins A shot put in 60-00.75
It's finally here. The Illinois Boys State Track and Field Championship is finally upon us. Despite windy, cold and wet conditions over the course of the outdoor season, the weather finally looks perfect just when it's needed most. As the top athletes assemble in Charleston this coming weekend, speculation abounds over most of the events. Will Dan Block throw 210 feet in the discus, can Kraig Appleton break the state record in the 300m hurdles and how about Chris Derrick having a shot to win both the 1600m and 3200m? Those are the questions, add in nearly a dozen more, competitive fields all around and a tight team battle and we have the making of one of the best state track and field championships Illinois has ever seen. Start getting excited and check out our AA state preview.