Paul and Roland qualify in three-events for IESA Class 1A boys’ track and field state meet

By Fred Kroner

Heritage athletes Christian Paul and Clark Roland were each three-event qualifiers for the IESA Class 1A boys’ track and field state meet.

In the Rantoul Sectional, held on Saturday (May 6), seventh-grader Paul won both the 1,600 meters (personal-best 5:21.19) and the long jump (personal-best 16 feet, 1 ½ inches). He also advanced by placing second in the 800 meters (personal-best 2 minutes, 27.86 seconds).

He was the only Heritage seventh-grader to place among the top 10 in any event at the sectional.

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Roland achieved three new personal bests in the eighth-grade portion of the meet.

He was the sectional champion in the 800 meters (2:20.66) and the long jump (18 feet, 6 ¼ inches). His third state berth will be in the 400 meters (second in 58.43 seconds).

Roland also had a runner-up finish in the 100 meters (12.68 seconds), but did not advance to state in that event.

Winners in all 14 events qualified for state as did others who met pre-determined times or distances.

Other top-10 placers for the Heritage eighth-graders at the sectional meet were Colton Thomas (sixth in the discus at 74 feet, 5 inches and seventh in the 110-meter high hurdles in a personal-best 22.86 seconds) and Kaden White (ninth in the 110-meter high hurdles in a personal-best 23.32 seconds).

The Class 1A state meet will be held at the EastSide Centre, in East Peoria, on Friday (May 12) and Saturday (May 13).