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

Illinois IHSA Track & Field State Championships – 1A Girls Preliminaries Recap

Winnebago leads all team qualifiers with 10; Comer, Patterson, Johnston, and Wesseh qualify to finals in four individual events

By Michael Newman

Charleston, Ill – Winnebago had close to a perfect day during the Class 1A Girls Preliminaries at the IHSA State Track and Field Championships Thursday afternoon at Eastern Illinois University. The Indians advanced ten to the finals in eight events.

Eureka had some hits and misses in this preliminary sessions qualifying eight total including all four of their relays. Seneca had 15 entries entering Thursday’s competition. They ended up advancing seven to the finals including having the fastest times in all four relays.

There are other teams that are still in trophy consideration. Father McGivney and Stark County advanced six to Saturday’s finals. Henry-Senachwine and last year’s second-place team finisher Newark advanced five to Saturday.

There were a number of athletes that were hoping to qualify in multiple events in the finals. Many of those wishes came to fruition. Ahry Comer of Pope County advanced to the finals in the 400 Meter Dash, 800 Meter Run, and 1600 Meter Run. She will also compete Saturday in the 3200 Meter Run to start her day.

Lia Patterson of Tuscola also had a big day on Thursday qualify for Saturday in all four events she was entered in. The sophomore had the fastest time in the 100 Meter Dash (12.27) and the 300 Meter Hurdles (44.51), was second in the 10o Hurdles and the 200 Meter Dash. Lindley Johnston of Stark County could contend for four state titles in the High Jump and all three sprint races.

Kiara Wesseh of Newark also qualified in the High Jump along with the 100 Meter Hurdles, 100 Meter Dash, and the 300 Meter Hurdles.

Here is a recap of the 17 preliminary events that took place on Thursday.

Track Events

4x800m Relay – Top seeds Father McGivney and defending two time state champion Winnebago made it to the finals in this relay setting up for a great finals race on Saturday morning. The first four qualifying teams in the event ran within four seconds of each other. Seneca set the pace winning the first heat with the fastest time of the day (9:50.77). Chicago Christian and El-Paso-Gridley also made it to the finals from that heat. Father McGivney had the advantage throughout the second heat of this event running 9:51.50 for the win. Eureka was a close second…