By Fred Kroner
Thanks to the exploits of Clark Roland, the Heritage eighth-grade boys’ track and field team finished 14th in the IESA Class 1A state meet on Saturday (May 13) at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria.
Roland was a three-event placer, highlighted by a second-place finish in the 800 meters (personal-best 2:11.0). His time beat the previous state record and will stand as the second-best all-time mark in Class 1A.
In the long jump, he wound up fifth, matching his personal-best from sectionals at 18 feet, 6 ¼ inches.
Roland also recorded his best-ever time in the 400 meters (56.46 seconds), running sixth.
Heritage’s state point total was 15.
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Christian Paul turned in three top-eight performances on Saturday (May 13) in the boys’ seventh-grade Class 1A state track and field meet at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria.
Paul ran seventh in the 800 meters (personal-best 2:21.52). He finished eighth in both the 1,600 meters (5:24.80) and the long jump (15 feet, 6 ½ inches).
Heritage placed in a tie for 33rd at state with four points.
