fred@mahometnews.com

Whatever the distance, Spencer Wilson can cover it quickly.

“I don’t know if his best event is the 200 (meters), the mile or something in-between,” St. Joseph-Ogden track and field coach Jason Retz said.

The running versatility of Wilson – a recent St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate – made him an attractive recruit for college coaches.

He will soon start his collegiate career at Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston. Wilson will participate in cross-country in the fall as well as track and field in the spring.

“I have always had a dream of running track at the next level after the state meet my seventh-grade year,” Wilson said. “After battling through a few injuries during my high school career, I entered my senior year wanting to prove to myself what I was truly capable of doing.”

Wilson not only proved to himself – but to others as well – that his potential was great.

“As a senior, he started training for track in the fall and saw that pay dividends,” Retz said. “At the (Illini Prairie) Conference meet (late April) , he ran a 1:55 to anchor the 4-by-8 to victory.

“In the next event (the 4-by-1), he ran 11-flat (as the Spartans placed third).”

Shortly later, Wilson ran an all-time personal-best of 50.56 and took third in the 400 meters. His split was even faster (50.00) in the meet-ending 4-by-4 relay.

“It was the most amazing day I’ve ever had one athlete have,” Retz said. “He saw what he could do moving forward.”

A two-time all-stater in track, Wilson was part of three relays that qualified for the Class 2A state meet in 2024.

He had the team’s fastest 800-meter split (1:56.73) at state for the 3,200-meter relay, which ended in 14^th place.

“After this meet, dreams started to become a reality and (EIU) Coach (Erin) Howarth’s conversations with me started to become more serious,” Wilson said. “I did not know how to feel except very blessed for the opportunity and thankful for the talent God had blessed me with.”

Ironically, Wilson only ran cross-country one year at SJ-O. As a freshman (when sports returned from a COVID-induced break, cross-country did not conflict with soccer.

A standout on the pitch, Wilson scored 12 goals and had a team-best 23 assists as a senior for the Spartans.

There was no slowing him down for his final track season either.

“After soccer season was over, I got straight to work hitting the weight room six days a week and trained the way Coach Retz had advised me to do,” Wilson said. “I was able to perform at a higher level than normal throughout my indoor season and workouts seemed to become easier over the course of time.

“This really boosted my confidence in wanting to compete at the next level. After a few sit-down conversations with Coach Retz, I knew that he believed in me and knew what I was capable of accomplishing. I had to believe in myself and do what was needed throughout the rest of my senior season to get to the next level.”

Until then, Wilson would have predicted that his collegiate future would come in soccer.

“I found my love for track and field in November of 2023 when my friends and I started training together,” he said. “The hard work started paying off in the indoor season.” 

Retz never doubted what was possible for Wilson.

“There was something special about him,” Retz said. “It was a matter of getting him to believe in himself.

“He continued to progress and soared with his performances senior year. He’s a very coachable kid.”

Wilson and three teammates from SJ-O – Lance Retz, Aden Armstrong and Carson Maroon – placed fourth in the 3,200-meter relay (8:04.26) in the Emerging Elite division at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June at Eugene, Ore.

They participated as the Spartan Running Club.

Wilson considered several universities before he settled on EIU, where an assistant coach is former SJ-O athlete Rylie Baker.

“I was able to narrow my decision down very easily after a college visit with Coach Baker a few days after my senior track season ended (in May),” Wilson said. “When I got on campus, I was very happy with the facilities and the layout of the campus. I was also very pleased with the business building and how nice the faculty and staff were to me.”

Though he also had contact from coaches about playing soccer in college as well, Wilson was confident in the direction he was going.

“Eastern Illinois felt like home to me because it is close to home,” he said. “I wanted to stay close to my family and friends when attending college.

“I was also very happy with the training facilities and the coaching staff that will be there every step of the way in my career.”

Wilson called the recruiting process “very stressful,” and added, “There was a point in my season where I decided to enjoy what was left of my senior season and let my remaining race times prove that I could compete at the next level.”

Jason Retz believes there is an opportunity for him to be a key contributor for the Panthers.

“He wanted to go somewhere and help and not go somewhere and participate,” Retz said.

Wilson is anxious to get started.

“I am looking forward to meeting all of my new teammates, making new friends, and connections,” he said. “I am also looking forward to new beginnings with Coach Howarth and Coach Baker leading the way.

“I see myself fitting in with my teammates right away with my ability to make friends and connections easily throughout team bonding time.

“When talking with Coach Howarth and Coach Baker, they have not set any goals for me to reach and/or tell me what they expect out of me.”

The EIU staff wants to see Wilson progress at a natural rate.

“They do not want to put any pressure on me as a freshman athlete,” Wilson said. “With hard work and training, they know the results will come and then goals will be set and hopefully broken.

“After talking with both Coach Howarth and Coach Baker, they want me to focus on the middle distance events and potentially move into the longer distance events and/or develop more speed to do some sprints.

“They feel right now I am in the middle and do not have an exact plan for me, but it will come once the training and lifting start to show.”

EIU has won back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference titles in cross-country and opens the 2024 season with its only home meet on Friday (Aug. 30) in the Walt Crawford Invitational.

Wilson is viewing his upcoming running career on a step-by-step basis.

“Once I get to college, it is going to be something very new to me and I will have to settle into over time,” he said. “Once I get there and get into a routine, the weight room, pool, recovery room, and the track will all be huge parts of my track and field career.

“These things can help me to grow, not just as an athlete, but also as a person. I love the feeling that I am going to have to give it my all every day to be successful on my team and contribute at a high level.

“The biggest goal is to contribute to the team as soon as possible and take home hardware when it is earned.

“Nothing is given to you, everything is earned through hard work and dedication. Every day is going to be a different challenge to get to where I would like to be as a student-athlete.”

He is no stranger to hard work and making a commitment to achieve goals.

“The biggest key to my development has been the miles of training and the abundant hours of lifting in the weight room,” Wilson said. “Another huge factor in my training was swimming in the pool and riding a bike to relieve some of the stress on my body.”

He has worked with numerous coaches and mentors, who all made an impact on his development.

“Throughout my journey, I have had an amazing support system and lots of great coaches along the way that have helped me get where I am today,” Wilson said. “During my years in middle school, I was coached by Corey Plotner, Michele Guido, and Zach Steele.

“These three coaches had a big impact on setting a foundation for the future of my running career and always motivating me to do well in every race. They have also supported me throughout my high school career.”

In high school, Wilson was primarily under the tutelage of  Jason Retz and Matt Umbarger.

“Throughout high school, these coaches were always there for me helping me after practice was over, getting a few extra reps in and helping me with block work,” Wilson said. “These coaches also continued to build my confidence when competing and set a very structured training program for me to follow to compete at a higher level.

“Coach Retz also put in numerous hours helping me recover after practices were over and provided lots of help with my recruiting process. Retz has always helped me with race strategies and helped me to understand the sport of track and field more and more.

“He would send me videos, articles, and would occasionally watch my own race with me.”

Another coach who played a prominent role as Wilson was getting introduced to running was his next-door neighbor.

“Thad Trimble helped me get started in the weight room,” Wilson said. “We did a lot of off-season speed work along with explosive exercises to help me in my high school career.

“He has also given me a lot of advice and encourages me to do my best every time I toe the line. I also give a lot of credit to my family and friends who support me in everything I do.

“These people show up to all of my sporting events no matter the conditions. They always have my back. They will always be the first ones after the meet to give me a hug and the first ones to tell me how proud they are.”

Wilson said his spiritual beliefs have helped him along the path to success.

“I am thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Wilson said. “He has blessed me with this opportunity to run at the next level and without him I would not be in this position today.

“He has given me the gift of being able to run. He has also given me all of these amazing people who are my support system and the reason I train and do my best every day I wake up.

“All in all, these people have helped me get to the point where I am today and without their support and dedication to me and the sport I love, I would not be in this position today.”

Wilson is especially appreciative for the strong support network that surrounds him.

“I know this did not happen because of what I have done,” he said. “It was done because of a lot of different people.

“I would like to first thank my parents (Darci Wilson and Shannon Wilson), who have always supported me in everything I have done.

“They have made sacrifices time and time again ensuring I was getting to practice on time and performing at the highest level I was capable of. They ensured I had everything I needed and would put me above themselves at all times.”

Wilson doesn’t need to be pushed to do his running workouts.

“The appeal of running for me is the competitive nature it brings out of me,” he said. “While running, I always want to be better than the person next to me and that is my motivation to keep going every day.

“I also love competing and meeting new people in races. I enjoy traveling to different places, which is also a huge reason why running is enjoyable to me.”

He has also always been known as a finisher.

“In track and field, my biggest strength is having a strong mindset and staying positive when times get tough,” Wilson said. “I also feel that having a solid kick in the last couple hundred meters before the finish line gives me something to rely on.”  

Wilson plans to major in Business Management because, he said, “of how broad the degree is.

“I feel I can get a good understanding of the business world and then narrow down what I plan on either double-majoring in and/or minoring in.

“Once I graduate, I would love to go into the business world and meet a lot of new people to help me succeed and give back to the ones close to me.

“In 10 years, I hope to have a steady job, hopefully in marketing where I meet new people, and find success for myself and the company I am working for.”

Helping Wilson solidify his decision to attend EIU is the distance from his home (approximately 50 miles).

“I think that living close to home is going to make the transition to Eastern a lot easier than if I picked an out-of-state university,” Wilson said. “An easy commute along with abundant support, the transition to Eastern should be a lot less stressful and will make me feel more comfortable when living on campus.

“I am very close not just with my immediate family, but also grandparents along with aunts and uncles.

“We all live very close to each other, which is another reason why I wanted to stay close to home. Our family likes to come together especially around the holidays and we always have a good time.

“Being close and being able to still do those things is a blessing to me. Living close to home will make the move to Eastern a lot easier and knowing that my family is just under an hour away makes me very comfortable.”

The post Spencer Wilson to run at EIU appeared first on .

Lance Retz, Spencer Wilson, Aden Armstrong, and Carson Maroon placed fourth in the 4×8 relay Emerging Elite section, crossing the finish line at 8:04.26. 

Recent graduate Payton Carter placed 21st overall in the pole vault with a 3.73m (12-02.75) jump. 

The post St. Joseph-Ogden Athletes Shine at 2024 Nike Outdoor Nationals in Oregon appeared first on .

Fred@mahometnews.com

Both of St. Joseph-Ogden’s athletes in the IHSA Class 2A boys’ track and field state meet who reached the finals participated in the same event.

Junior Jackson Ennis earned his first state medal, capturing eighth with a career-best toss of 154 feet, 9 inches on Saturday (May 25) at Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston.

Ennis’ mark carried over from the Friday (May 24) preliminary round. He was sixth after the prelims.

Senior Brandon Trimble was just behind his teammate, finishing 10^th with a top mark of 154 feet, 5 inches, also achieved on Friday. He was five inches shy of earning one of the nine state medals issued in the event.

They were the only Spartans competing in the finals on Saturday.

SJ-O pole vaulters Charlie Schmitz and Jack Wear placed in a tie for 23^rd after both cleared 12 feet, 5 inches.

In the 1,600 meters, Lance Retz ran 5:05.69 and ended in 47^th place,

The Spartans’ best relay was the 3,200-meter squad, which took 14^th place.

Sharing the baton were Colin Wayland, Aden Armstrong, Spencer Wilson and Carson Maroon. Their combined time was 8:11.00.

The other two SJ-O state relays ended in 22^nd place.

The 800-meter relay featured Tim Blackburn-Kelly, Wayland, Logan Smith and Wilson. Their cumulative time was 1:30.82.

Also coming in 22^nd was the Spartans’ 1,600-meter grouping of Wayland, Blackburn-Kelly, Logan Smith and Wilson They posted a 3:30.34 clocking.

SJ-O totaled one point at state and ended in a tie for 72^nd place. A total of 76 schools scored points in the Class 2A division.

Team champion East St. Louis ended with 50 points.

The post Jackson Ennis Clinches First State Medal at IHSA Track Finals, Leading St. Joseph-Ogden appeared first on .

Eli Franklin placed 10^th on Saturday (May 18) in the boys’ IESA Class 3A state track and field meet at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria.

His time in the 1,600 meters was 4:59.21.

Franklin was the Panthers’ lone state-qualifier in the eighth-grade division.

—

St. Joseph seventh-grade Adam Bello placed 12^th in the boys’ IESA Class 3A state track and field meet in the pole vault.

Bello cleared 7 feet, 10 inches.

He was the school’s lone seventh-grade state-qualifier.

The post Eli Franklin and Adam Bello Stand Out as St. Joseph’s Sole State Qualifiers in IESA Track Meet appeared first on .

fred@mahometnews.com

St. Joseph Middle School eighth-grade Vivian Smith placed second on Saturday (May 18) in the discus at the IESA Class 3A girls’ track and field state meet at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria.

Smith’s top toss was 100 feet, 5 inches.

She also secured a top-10 finish in the eighth-grade shot put. Smith took ninth at 30 feet, 7 inches.

Teammate Tessa Walker wound up eighth in the 1,600 meters (5:45.56).

In the team standings, the Panthers ended in a tie for 25^th place with nine points. Team champion Manteno totaled 34 points. Overall, 53 schools scored points at state.

—

Kennedi Dean was the top placer for St. Joseph Middle School seventh-grade squad on Saturday (May 18) in the IESA Class 3A girls’ track and field state meet.

Dean cleared 7 feet, 7 inches and ended fourth in the pole vault.

She was also a state-qualifier in the 400 meters and wound up 14^th at 1:05.03.

St. Joseph had entries in three other events at state.

In the 200 meters, Brynn Randolph registered a personal-best 28.06 seconds and finished 15^th.

In the 800, Tabby Brown was 25^th (2:42.95).

The Panthers’ 1,600-meter relay grouping of Dean, Tenley Damler, Charlene Barbee and Brown were 19^th (4:46.88).

St. Joseph placed in a tie for 33^rd in the seventh-grade girls’ team standings with five points. Meet champion Robinson totaled 41 points. Overall, 52 schools scored points at state.

The post Vivian Smith Shines with Second Place in Discus at IESA State Meet, St. Joseph Middle School Makes Mark appeared first on .

St. Joseph-Ogden captured 10 IHSA state-meet berths on Wednesday (May 15) in the 17-school Rantoul Class 2A Sectional.

The Spartans had two qualifiers in the 1,600 meters, two in the discus and two in the pole vault.

Distance runners Carson Maroon (second in 4:31.41) and Lance Retz (sixth in a personal-best 4:33.60) were state-qualifiers in the 1,600 meters.

Also continuing their seasons were pole vaulters Charlie Schmitz and Jack Wear, both of whom tied for second place at Rantoul.

They each cleared 13 feet, 2 inches, which for Wear was a personal-best.

In the discus, Brock Trimble was third (156 feet, 2 inches) and Jackson Ennis was fourth (145 feet, 10 inches).

All four SJ-O relays moved on to state.

The 400-meter grouping of Grant Smith, Colin Wayland, Logan Smith and Tim Blackburn-Kelly were clocked in 43.82 seconds. They placed seventh.

In the 800-meter relay, Blackburn-Kelly, Wayland, Logan Smith and Spencer Wilson teamed up for a final time of 1:31.18 and placed fifth.

The 1,600-meter foursome featured the same four athletes as in the 800. They ended in third place with a combined time of 3:28.78.

Sharing the baton on the 3,200-meter relay were Retz, Aden Armstrong, Wilson and Maroon. Their time of 8:11.00 positioned them in fourth.

Five SJ-O runners, who were among the top-10 in their events, recorded personal-best times, including two 300-meter hurdlers: Kyler Swanson (third in 42.96 seconds) and Colton Overstreet (ninth in 45.24 seconds).

Also establishing new top times were Joe Griebat (eighth in the 800 meters in 2:03.39), Nate Farney (seventh in the 3,200 meters in 10:41.02) and Overstreet (fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles in 17.03).

Other Spartans who garnered finishes among the top 10 included three field event performers.

In the shot put, Ennis was sixth (44 feet, 5 inches) and Cam Wagner was eighth (43 feet, 2 inches). High jumper Tanner Siems cleared 5 feet, 7 inches and tied for ninth.

The team’s other leading runners were Swanson (seventh in the 110 high hurdles in 17.12 seconds) and Waylon Jones (eighth in the 400-meter dash in 54.88 seconds.

The SJ-O state qualifiers will return to action on Thursday (May 23) at Charleston in the Class 1A semifinals. Those who advance to the state finals will return to Eastern Illinois University on Saturday (May 25).

The post St. Joseph-Ogden Secures 10 State Meet Berths at Rantoul Class 2A Sectional appeared first on .

Prairieview Ogden seventh-grader Dorian Davenport placed fourth in the IESA boys’ Class 1A state track and field meet in the 400 meters.

Davenport ran the race in a personal-best 59.89 seconds.

He also ran a leg on the 10^th-place 1,600-meter relay. He was joined in that event by Kaden Flessner, Kavin Vanetta and Waylon Vaughn. Their time was 4:25.60.

PVO placed in a tie for 28^th in the team standings with five points. The seventh-grade team state titlist was Stwardson-Strasburg with 41 points.

—

Lucas Waters was the lone Prairieview Ogden eighth-grade boys’ state placer, finishing eighth in the discus (113 feet, 4 inches).

The two-day state finals, held at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria, ended on Saturday (May 11).

PVO had two other state entries.

Airin Rash took 10^th in the high jump (5 feet, 3 inches).

The school’s 400-meter sprint relay ended in 14^th place in 52.84 seconds.

Sharing the baton were Davenport, Waters, Royce Loschen and Rash.

The post Prairieview Ogden’s Dorian Davenport Places Fourth in 400 Meters at IESA State Meet; Lucas Waters Eighth in Discus appeared first on .

In the IESA Class 1A seventh-grade girls’ state track and field meet, Prairieview Ogden finished 20^th with 10 ½ points. The team state crown went to Washington St. Patrick with 34 points.

Seventh-grader Ella Mohr was victorious in the shot put with a state winning effort of 31 feet, a personal-best.

Teammate Kelsie Harms tied for eighth in the high jump (4 feet, 3 inches) in the finals at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria, in  the two-day meet, which ended on Saturday (May 11).

Two of the school’s relays ended among the top 15 in the state.

The 400-meter foursome, featuring Mohr, Alea Rash, Harms and Caylah Roberts finished 13^th in 58.26 seconds.

Sharing the baton for the 14^th-place 800-meter relay were Chloe Bressner, Reagan Blakely, Charlie Sjuts and Lyli Vilven. Their cumulative time was 2:06.28.

—

In the IESA Class 1A eighth-grade girls’ state meet, PVO produced a state-runner-up in Atleigh Miller.

Miller leaped 16 feet, 3 inches to clinch the runner-up medal in the long jump.

Miller also competed in the finals at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria, in three other events in the two-day meet, which ended on Saturday (May 11).

Miller teamed up with Grace Bressner, Bella Frerichs and Kellyn Irwin for a third-place finish in the 400-meter relay. Their cumulative time was 54.97 seconds.

In the 100-meter hurdles, Miller ended ninth in 18.14 seconds. She also ran the 100-meter dash and took 14^th in 14.09 seconds.

In the 48-school meet, PVO finished in a tie for ninth with 16 points. Team state champion Springfield Christian amassed 59 points.

PVO had state-meet competitors in seven other events.

The other runner was Bressner, who finished ninth in the 400 meters with a personal-best 1:04.86 clocking.

PVO produced two top-15 placers in the discus.

Greta Goldenstein was seventh in the discus (85 feet, 9 inches) and 15^th in the shot put (27 feet, 4 inches).

Korinne Travis took 15^th in the discus (79 feet, 7 inches).

Irwin captured ninth in the long jump (14 feet, 5 inches) and Frerichs was 14^th in the high jump (4 feet, 4 inches).

The post Prairieview Ogden’s Ella Mohr Wins State Shot Put Title; Atleigh Miller Shines in Long Jump at IESA State Meet appeared first on .

Franklin was second in the 1,600-meter run in a personal-best 4:58.11.

He also ran third in the 800 meters with a personal-best, but non-qualifying, time of 2:17.66.

Also in the 800 meters, teammate Nathan Hinkel took eighth in a personal-best 2:31.78.

Dalton Trotter finished fifth in the 200 meters (personal-best 25.50 seconds), Liam Carter was sixth in the discus (112 feet, 9 inches), McCannon was sixth in the 1,600 meters (personal-best 5:20.70), Brandon Grindey was tied for seventh in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches) and Trotter captured a ninth-place finish in the long jump (15 feet, 9 inches).

Three St. Joseph relays turned in times that placed them among the top eight.

The 800-meter unit of Logan Umbarger, Grindley, Colin Gill and Trotter was timed in 1:46.17.

The 400-meter grouping of Kenny Gonzalez, Draven Black, Maddys Martin and Mason Osterbur were timed in 54.37 seconds.

The 1,600-meter relay captured seventh (4:17.68). The runners were Trotter, McCammon, Hinkel and Eli Franklin

Monticello earned the team title with 80 points. Runner-up Toledo Cumberland gained 74 points and seventh-place St. Joseph scored 36 ½ points.

–

Seventh-grade St. Joseph pole vaulter Adam Bello (who finished seventh at the Tuscola IESA Sectional at 7 feet, 7 inches), advanced to state with his performance.

Teammate Toby Reed-Thompson collected third- and fifth-place finishes on Saturday (May 11) in the 15-team Class 3A boys’ track and field sectional at Tuscola.

Reed-Thompson was third in the 100 meters (personal-best 12.86 seconds) and fifth in the 200 meters (personal-best 27.00 seconds).

Other runners who fared well were Camden Fisher (fourth in the 1,600 meters in a personal-best 5:17.08), Camden Fisher (seventh in the 800 meters in a personal-best 2:32.78) and Bello (eighth in the 1,600 in a personal-best 5:27.28).

The team’s field events leaders were Aiden Eldridge (fifth in the shot put at 32 feet, 3 inches), Isaac Hernandez (eighth in the discus at a personal-best 96 feet, 1 inch) and Fisher (eighth in the high jump at a personal-best 4 feet, 6 inches).

Three St. Joseph relays nabbed top-10 finishes, including the fifth-place 800-meter unit of Grant Clark, Jaxson Morris, Carson Van Bellehem and Bello. Their cumulative time was 1:50.09.

The 1,600-meter relay featured Reed-Thompson, Fisher, Kelton Pruemer and Bello, Their combined time was 4:26.00.

The 400-meter relay ended in 10^th place (1:00.00). The runners were Henry Beeler, Isaac Hernandez, Gage Tranel and Rowan Wright.

In the chase for a team title, Shelbyville edged Arthur, 96-90, for first place. St. Joseph was eighth in the 15-team field with 32 points.

The state-qualifiers will return to action starting on Friday (May 17) at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria.

The post St. Joseph Middle School Athletes Shine with Personal Bests and State Qualifiers at IESA Sectional appeared first on .

fred@mahometnews.com

St. Joseph Middle School eighth-graders Olivia Edington, Vivian Smith and Tessa Walker all earned championships on Saturday (May 11) in the IESA Class 3A sectional track and field meet at Tuscola.

Edington cleared 8 feet, 5 inches to win the pole vault. Walker won the 1,600 meters (personal-best 5:35.06).

Smith was one of 24 competitors in the discus, which she dominated. Smith’s top toss was 104 feet, 9 inches, which  placed her 15 feet, 4 inches ahead of the runner-up.

Smith also notched a second state title by winning the shot put (personal-best 31 feet, 2 inches). Her winning toss was 3 feet, 7 inches ahead of her closest pursuer.

Smith qualified for state in both of her events while Walker advanced in the 1,600 meters and Edington in the pole vault.

Teammate Ainsley Dirksmeyer was eighth in the shot put (24 feet, 6 inches).

St. Joseph also had double placers in the 800 meters.

Walker was the Class 3A sectional runner-up (personal-best 2:40.12) and teammate Avarie Dietiker was third (personal-best 2:41.06).

The other St. Joseph individual placer was Marissa Smith, who was seventh in the 100-meter hurdles (18.95 seconds).

Three of the school’s relays garnered top-10 finishes, led by the seventh-place 800-meter foursome of Smith, Sophia Douglas, Jacelyn Daniel and Edington. Their combined time was 2:06.07.

The St. Joseph 400-meter relay was timed in 59.71 seconds and took eighth. Sharing the baton were Dirksmeyer, Addison Knight, Brooklyn Stevens and Kenley Ray.

Finishing in ninth place was the 1,600-meter relay grouping of Emma Wilson, Kylie Kerner, Aubrey Matheny and Aubrey Profancik. Their total time was 5:08.91.

Monticello prevailed in a tight three-school race for team supremacy, ending with 65 points. Runner-up Teutopolis had 62 points and third-place St. Joseph ended with 60 points.

–

St.Joseph’s Kennedi Dean advanced to state in two individual events on Saturday (May 11) in the IESA junior high seventh-grade girls’ sectional meet at Tuscola.

Dean was the winner in the pole vault, clearing a personal-best 8 feet, 5 inches. She also qualified in the 400 meters, running fourth in a personal-best 1:05.08.

St. Joseph had state qualifiers in three other events, including the 1,600-meter relay where Dean was joined by Tenley Damler, Charlene Barbee and Tabby Brown. The foursome placed third with a time of 4:36.43.

Brown advanced in the 800 meters, taking third at the sectional in a personal-best 2:37.58.

Brynn Randolph is the school’s other state-qualifier after placing fifth in the 200 meters (personal-best 28.48 seconds).

St. Joseph had eight other individuals finish among the top 10 in an event at the sectional, including Avery Carter, Claire Dirksmeyer and Candice Wright in two events each.

Dirksmeyer was fifth in the 1,600 meters (personal-best 6:09.24) and eighth in the 800 meters (personal-best 2:48.49).

Carter placed ninth in both the shot put (22 feet, 1 inch) and the discus (63 feet, 3 inches) and Wright ended seventh in the 100 meters (14.01 seconds) and 10th in the long jump (personal-best 13 feet, 6 inches).

The other St. Joseph leaders were Riley Mohr (eighth in the discus with a personal-best 64 feet, 6 inches) and Damler (10th in the 400 meters in 1:08.14).

The 800-meter relay placed second with a time of 2:00.83. Sharing the baton were Randolph, Daimler, Barbee and Ainsley Freeman.

The 400-meter relay finished ninth in 59.04 seconds. The relay featured Emma O’Herron, Alissa Knight, Sophia Chahine and Wright.

Shelbyville captured the team title with 99 ½ points. St. Joseph took sixth in the 15-school field with 47 points.

State-qualifiers return to action starting on Friday (May 17) at the Eastside Centre, in East Peoria.

The post St. Joseph Middle School Dominates IESA Class 3A Sectional Track Meet with Multiple Champions and State Qualifiers appeared first on .