Illinois IHSA Outdoor State Championships – News – 2023 IHSA State Track & Field Championships

2023 IHSA State Track & Field Championships – 1A Girls Teams

By Michael Newman

The teams that have the most qualifiers to the IHSA State Meet sometimes are not the favorites for the team title. It is technically not the case heading into Thursday’s 1A Preliminary session. Seneca has quality points plus a large group of qualifiers that makes them one of the favorites in this meet. Winnebago has finished second and third the past two years. They should go back to Winnebago on Saturday night with some more hardware.

Defending champion Tuscola does not have the same lineup. They will have two athletes that could carry the Warriors to a team title.

Here is a look at some of the teams that will challenge the Class 1A title this weekend.

Teams to Watch

Seneca – 15 Total, 11 Individuals, 4 Relays

Outlook – The Irish have the numbers and could have the quality points to get them to the top of the podium. Seneca qualified in 13 and could score in 10 of them. Evelyn O’Connor will be one of the runners to watch in the 800 Meter Run. O’Connor will be part of the top seeded 4x400m Relay that should have Anna Bruno as their anchor. O’Connor is the anchor for Seneca’s team in the 4x800m Relay that could finish in the top five. Bruno has the top mark in Class 1A this season. She will be busy in all three of the sprint relays. Their 4×2 and 4×4 relays have the top time in the state heading into this meet. Caitlyn O’Boyle should be among the top five in the 100 Meter Hurdles and should make the finals in the 300 Meter Hurdles. O’Boyle is ranked third this year in the Triple Jump. She could give her team some big points in that event.  Teagan Johnson has cleared 3.65m in the Pole Vault this season. She could be among the top five finishers in that event.

Winnebago – 12 Total, 9 Individuals, 3 Relays

Outlook – Winnebago finished second in 2021 and third in 2022. They would like to finish the trophy collection with a win this weekend. The Indians qualified in nine events for the state meet. They could score points in seven of those events. Their strength and points once again will come from distance events. Their quartet in the 4x800m Relay will look for their third straight title in the event. Big points are expected from that event. Their 4x400m Relay is one of the best in Class 1A. Bago should be among the top three in the event. Grace Erb, who will be a part of both relays could be among the top three runners in the 800…