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Here is an event by event look at what to watch for at this weekend’s IHSA Girls 3A State Track & Field Meet at Charleston IL. We will also look at some of the teams to watch for to take home the championship trophy.

FIELD EVENTS

Long Jump

2014 3A State Best – 19’ 1 ¾” – Emma Spagnola (SR), West Aurora HS

2014 3A Sectional Best - 19’ 1 ¾” – Emma Spagnola (SR), West Aurora HS

Outlook – It was a great competition at the end of March when Janile Rogers (Minooka HS) jumped 19-10 ¾ to win the 3A Illinois Top Times ahead of Emma Spagnola. The two will meet again in what should be a great state final in Charleston. Since that meet, Spagnola has gone undefeated during the outdoor season going 18-8 or better three times. Her sectional jump was her best jump this season. She is improving at the right time. We could see a jump of 19-6 or better from her. Rogers jumped 19-0 in April on her home runway. You should remember that she jumped over a foot better than her best jump indoors at Top Times. Could we see the same type of improvement this weekend?

This is a tough field. There are a number of athletes that could surpass these two. Maya Neal (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville) jumped 18-7 ½ at Arcadia in March. She went past 19 feet last year. She is capable of winning. Parker English (Evanston Township HS) placed a year ago at in the state finals. She has jumped 18-6 this season making someone to watch in this competition. The surprise that could be in the mix is Hannah Willhite (Rock Island HS). The sophomore jumped 18-6 ¼ in winning her sectional meet last year. That was her best jump of the year by over a foot. Watch for her to perhaps to surprise.

Other athletes that I would watch include Catherine Sherwood (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect), Brittani Griesbaum (Lakes HS, Lake Villa), Kayla Marshall (Collinsville HS), Janae Cox (Bradley-Bourbonais HS), and Briana Driver (Mother McAuley HS, Chicago).

Triple Jump

2014 3A State Best – 39’ 6” - Viki Marmaite (JR), Lemont HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 39’ 0” – LaJarvia Brown (SO), Alton HS

Outlook – At the beginning of the season, this looked like this event could have been a lock for LaJarvia Brown. Through a good part of the season, it looked that way. The sophomore has been undefeated going over 38 feet five times. That was the case until the week of the conference meets when Viki Marmaite jumped 39-6 at her conference meet. Who is Viki Marmaite? She moved into the Lemont school district February of this year after moving from Lithuania. Her jump of 37-9 1/2 at the sectional meet shows that she is the real deal and could contend for the state championship in this event.

There are two other athletes that I would keep an eye on. Kayla Marshall (Collinsville HS) was close behind Brown at the Rock Island Sectional jumping 38-10 ½ for second place. I would also watch for Allison Chmelik (East HS, St. Charles). Even though she only jumped 36-2 at her sectional meet, she has a seasonal best 38-6 that occurred two weeks ago at her conference meet. She could be dangerous in this event.

Hannah Willhite, Courtney Manning (Normal Community HS), Ciara Jones (O’Fallon HS), and Hannah Schilb (North HS, St. Charles) would be other athletes that could place in the top five in this event. With the quality of competition up top, we could see a 40 foot jump in this event this weekend.

High Jump

2014 3A State Best – 5’ 8” – Ololade Ayoola (FR), Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

Julia Junkroski (JR), Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

Kelsey Shannon (SR), Belleville West HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 5’ 7” – Kenna Lonergan (SO), Aurora Metea Valley

Outlook – This event is typically wide open. This year is definitely no exception. Three athletes are a top of the yearly leaderboard. Ololade Ayoola and Julia Junkroski cleared 5-8 at their conference meet two weeks ago. Kelsey Shannon cleared the same height at her county meet at the end of April. All three athletes will be in the mix on who will win this event.

Kenna Lonergan has been in the 5-7 range this season and will be an athlete to watch. Erin Zappia (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) cleared 5-8 indoors and one inch lower outdoors. She could be an athlete to contend with in this meet. Don’t forget about Emma Haugen (Lyons Township HS, LaGrange). She placed second last year at state after winning the event as a freshman. She has jumped 5-6 this season. She is a money jumper who could be there until the end.

Other athletes to watch in this event include Emma Gammaou (Moline HS), Amy Nosek (York HS, Elmhurst), Danielle Griesbaum (Lakes HS, Lake Villa), and Rachel Augius (Yorkville HS).

Pole Vault

2014 3A State Best – 12’ 7” – Brooke Catherine (JR), Normal Community HS

2014 3A Sectional Best - 12’ 7” – Brooke Catherine (JR), Normal Community HS

Outlook – Brooke Catherine cleared her outdoors seasonal best at her sectional meet last week. She has the best clearance outdoors this season by six inches. Right now, she would be the one athlete to watch. Danielle Wojciechowski (Lake Park HS, Roselle) cleared 12-1 at her sectional meet and could be Catherine’s chief competition. Also watch for Hannah Swift (Pekin HS) in this event. Although she has only cleared 11-6 outdoors, remember she cleared 13-0 for the win at Illinois Top Times at the end of March.

Keep an eye as well on Stephanie Mueller (North HS, Naperville), Nicole Ogorek (Normal Community), Julia Junkroski, Mackenzie Gallagher (Normal Community West HS), and Claire Dalman (Central HS, Crystal Lake). Any of these athletes could finish in the top three.

Shot Put

2014 3A State Best – 45’ 8 ½” – Banke Oginni (SR), Hoffman Estates HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 44’ 0” - Banke Oginni (SR), Hoffman Estates HS

Outlook – Banke Oginni enters this event as the favorite. She has gone undefeated all season and has been past 45 feet nine times in 2014. Her best performance was a 48-0 put at the Illinois Top Times meet. She will be tough to beat. One athlete that is new to the ring this season is Courtney Morgan (Metea Valley HS, Aurora). The freshman has a 44-4 best this season and is capable of pulling an upset in Charleston.

Aliyah Covington (Edwardsville HS) finished second a year ago. She would like to go one place higher in 2014. She has a 44-4 ¾ best indoors this season. She has the experience to win this event. Erin Reese (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect), Fiona Kaman (Niles West HS, Skokie), Jennifer Donnell (Conant HS, Hoffman Estates), and Olivia Griswold (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville) are a few of the athletes to watch to break into the top four in this competition.

Discus

2014 3A State Best – 154’ 0” – Holly Julifs (JR), Aurora Metea Valley HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 139’ 11” – Holly Julifs (JR), Aurora Metea Valley HS

Outlook – Holly Julifs has the best throw in the state this year with a 154-0 performance at the end of April. She has three throws over 145 feet this year. Only two other athletes have thrown past that mark this season. Teammate Courtney Morgan has been the only athlete in the state to defeat Julifs this season. Her best of 146-9 two weeks ago at her conference meet puts her in position to bring back a gold medal to Aurora. Erin Reese threw 150-0 early in the season. She was defeated at her sectional meet by Jennifer Donnell. I would not count out Reese in this meet.

Banke Oginni has the second best throw in sectional competition. She could pull a surprise of finishing in the first three or perhaps winning. Also keep an eye on Aliyah Covington, Nikki Freeman (Cary-Grove HS), Lexie Yeley (Pekin HS), and Jennifer Donnell. This is a deep field. It is anyone’s guess on who will walk away from Charleston with the win.

TRACK EVENTS

4 x 800 Meter Relay

2014 3A State Best – 9:17.40 – Palatine HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 9:20.67 – Palatine HS

Outlook – This looks it will be an extremely tight race. The top 10 schools this year on the 3A leaderboard are within nine seconds of each other. Palatine should be the favorite in this race. Led by Cassidy McPherson and Kelly O’Brien, the Lady Pirates have run the two fastest times in the state this season. Downers Grove North has been tight on Palatine’s heals this year. Their sectional time was less than two tenths of a second behind that of Palatine. The Lady Trojans have a quality quartet as well led by Stephanie Urbancik and Emma Moravec.

Yorkville has the third fastest sectional time and could push these two teams. The Lady Foxes have a dangerous weapon in Skyler Bollinger. The sophomore last year gave Yorkville the lead when she led off with a 2:15 split. Nevertheless, this team is good enough to win this race. Fremd ran 9:21 at their divisional championship at the end of April. They too could pull of a surprise. Loyola Academy has come on strong at the end of the year running 9:24 at their sectional last week. The same can be said about Hoffman Estates when they ran the same time to win their sectional race. Both teams could push for the win Saturday morning.

Even though Lane Tech only ran 9:35 at their sectional meet, I would keep a close eye on them. They have a good 1-2 punch led by Alex Martel and Imani Davis that could keep the Indians towards the front. I would also watch for Naperville North, Lockport Township, St. Charles East, and New Trier to be near the front as well. It could take 9:23 to make it into the finals. It will take a time under 9:10 to win this race.

4 x 100 Meter Relay

2014 3A State Best – 46.23 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 47.08 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

Outlook – Defending champion Lincoln-Way East will be a tough team to beat in this event. They are undefeated against Illinois schools the last two years heading into this meet. Alexis Hyshaw and Megan Marias give the Lady Griffins a good nucleus to work from. Their big meet experience will benefit them.

There are two schools that could prevent Lincoln-Way East from repeating. Rock Island ran a season best 47.57 last week to win their sectional race. They will need good handoffs from this team led by Mystique Thompson and LaCresha Linton for a chance to win this event. Homewood-Flossmoor finished second behind Lincoln-Way East at sectionals last Thursday. Antoinette Broughton and Jayla Stewart lead this team that could surprise if they get some great handoffs.

Danville ran 48.29 at a meet on Monday that will make them tough in this event. O’Fallon, East St. Louis-Senior, Belleville West, and North Lawndale will also be in the mix in the finals. It will take a time in the 46’s to win this race.

3200 Meter Run

2014 3A State Best – 10:36.83 – Lindsay Graham (SO), Glen Ellyn Glenbard West HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 10:36.83 - Lindsay Graham (SO), Glen Ellyn Glenbard West HS

Outlook – This could be a great race. Defending 3A Champion Madeline Perez (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn) had not run a race for two months because of an injury. She got her feet wet at last week’s sectional meet running 10:45 in the first section to qualify for state. She slowed down the second mile. You have to remember she had no one to run with in that race. It will be different on Saturday. Her chief competition will be her teammate Lindsay Graham. The sophomore currently has the fastest time in 3A. At last week’s meet, her split were behind that of Perez until the final 800 meters when Graham popped ahead. It will be the first time this year that the two have raced against each other.

There are two runners that have a good chance to be ahead of the two Glenbard runners at the end of the race. Even though Christina Santiago (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect) was 24 seconds behind Graham in the sectional race, she said afterwards she held back just wanting to qualify. You can be sure she will be towards the front Saturday. Mimi Smith (New Trier HS, Winnetka) will be with Santiago. The 3A Cross Country champion has run 10:50 this year doing that mostly by herself. You saw what kind of kick Smith had last fall. That kick may come into play in this race.

A high quality field to say the least. Elly DeTurris (North HS, Naperville) was all-state last year in this event and will be in the front. Gabby Juarez (Streamwood HS) has been a surprise this year dipping under 11 minutes. She could be in the mix in this race. Mary Blankemeier (Oak Park-River Forest HS) could place in the top five in this race. She has run 10:58 this season.

Keep an eye on Ashley Tutt (Minooka HS), Alexa Haff (Central HS, Hinsdale), Vanessa Sanchez (Rolling Meadows HS), and Alexis Grandys (Yorkville HS) to possibly be on the stand at the end of the race. Perez will push the pace early on guaranteeing a fast time. I think we see something in the mid 10:20’s to win in this race. It should be fun to watch!

100 Meter Hurdles

2014 3A State Best – 13.83 – Emma Spagnola (SR), West Aurora HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 14.20 – Emma Spagnola (SR), West Aurora HS

Outlook – This will be a great showdown between Emma Spagnola and Jayla Stewart (Homewood-Flossmoor HS). The two faced each other a month ago at Lockport with Stewart coming out on top 14.33 – 14.46. Stewart’s best time this year was two weeks ago at her conference meet when she ran 14.17. Spagnola sent out a message in her sectional races. She won the event in 14.20 but it was the 13.83 in the prelims that opened everyone’s eyes. The loss to Stewart was Spagnola’s only regular season loss to an Illinois athlete in the last three years. I am sure she will take that memory with her when she steps into the blocks.

Unless Stewart and Spagnola slip up in the race, the battle for the remaining athletes should be third. Keep an eye on Jasmine Berry (Belleville West HS), Katie Shifflet (Normal Community West HS), Macy Tramblay (Huntley HS), and Kristen Dowell (Edwardsville HS) to battle for the next spots. It is going to have to be a sub 14 time to win this race.

100 Meter Dash

2014 3A State Best – 11.53 – Megan Marias (SR), Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 12.09 – Parker English (SR), Evanston Township HS

Outlook – The 2013 final in this event had Lincoln-Way East take the top two spots. Will this happen again? Megan Marias ran the state’s fastest time (11.53) at the end of April at the Sandburg Invitational. Her teammate Alexis Hyshaw has been equally fast running 11.69. The next closest runner is Jessica Watkins (Bolingbrook HS) who is a quarter second behind. She still has a time under 12 seconds (11.93)

The one athlete that could break up the sweep is Parker English. The senior ran the best 3A sectional time last week and seems to be peaking at the right time. Could she be close to the duo from Lincoln-Way East?

Antoinette Broughton has been under 12 this season and could place in the top three. Also watch for Janille Rogers, Mystique Thompson, Brittany Thomas (Bloom Township HS, Chicago Heights), and Nyjah Lane (Highland Park HS) to be challenging for a top spot. The weather will be warm. If there is a tailwind, it could push these runners in the 11.5 range.

800 Meter Run

2014 3A State Best – 2:12.02 – Lauren VanVlierbergen (JR), Algonquin Jacobs HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 2:14.30 - Lauren VanVlierbergen (JR), Algonquin Jacobs HS

Outlook – Lauren VanVlierbergen has choices to make heading this weekend’s state meet. Will she double in the 800 /1600? Will she help her team in the 4x8? If she does that, does she run both of the individual races? The Jacobs junior has been the fastest in the state in this event all season. She ran 2:11.8 at the end of the indoor season. She ran 2:12.02 at her county meet. She is undefeated this year in this event.

VanVlierbergen had company at the DeKalb Sectional where she defeated Morgan Schultz (Cary-Grove HS) by only three hundredths of a second. Schultz will challenge again this week. Michaela Hackbarth (South HS, Downers Grove) had a best open time in the 800 a year ago of 2:26. Her time has dramatically dropped in the last 12 months down to the 2:14.45 that she ran last week at her sectional. She will challenge for the state championship.

Allison Wilson (Waubonsie Valley HS, Aurora) has come on strong this season dropping her PR down to 2:15.80. She is a runner I would watch in this race. Molly Krawczykowski (Willowbrook HS, Villa Park) finished ninth a year ago in the finals. She ran 2:16 to win her sectional last week. She should be in the front as well.

Other runners that I would watch include Taylor Cogdell (East HS, Plainfield), Renee Letz (Sandburg HS, Orland Park), Danielle Griesbaum (Lakes HS, Lake Villa), and Moira McAsey (Minooka HS).

4 x 200 Meter Relay

2014 3A State Best – 1:39.09 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 1:42.27 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

Outlook – It will be hard to bet against Lincoln-Way East in this race. They scorched a 1:39.09 at the Texas Relays at the end of March. Two weeks ago, they ran 1:40.68 at their conference meet. I could see them in the 1:38 range in this meet.

The one team that could challenge them is Rock Island. Last week at their sectional meet, the Rocks dropped the baton on the first exchange. They picked it up and still qualified for Charleston. With good stick handling this week, this team could challenge for the state championship. 1:41.60 is their best time of the season.

Danville could be a surprise in this event after they ran 1:42.43 at the Champaign Honor Roll Meet. Homewood-Flossmoor, Minooka, O’Fallon, and Bloom Township could challenge for a top finish in this race also.

400 Meter Dash

2014 3A State Best – 54.67 – Brittny Ellis (JR), Gurnee Warren Township HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 55.50 – Parker English (SR), Evanston Township HS

Outlook – This could be the best race in the 3A meet. Two time champion Brittny Ellis has the state’s best time this season and will be one of the runners to watch in this event. During the indoor campaign, Briyana DesRosiers (North Lawndale Prep, Chicago) defeated Ellis twice running 55.06. The North Lawndale senior has run 55.09 and could give Ellis her biggest challenge. Ellis runs her best when it counts. As evidence, check out her two state championship races.

Parker English finished third in this event a year ago. She would like to go out in top in her senior season. The 55.50 that she ran at her sectional meet shows she is ready for the challenge.

Jordan Shead (East HS, St, Charles), Foster Ignoffo (Geneva HS), Simone Carr (Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream), and Tamia Rayford (West HS, Aurora) could challenge for top finishes. I seriously believe it will take 54.2 or better to win in the final.

300 Meter Hurdles

2014 3A State Best – 42.95 – Emma Spagnola (SR), West Aurora HS

2014 3A Sectional Best - 42.95 – Emma Spagnola (SR), West Aurora HS

Outlook – Emma Spagnola finished second in both hurdle races at last year’s state meet. I don’t think that will happen this time…at least not in this race. She has been dominant in this race all year running the state’s best time by close to a second. She is in a class by herself in this race. She is technically superior compared to the other athletes in this event.

The closest athlete to Spagnola is Morgan Schultz. She ran 43.67 in winning her sectional race last week. She will be coming back from the 800. Will she be recovered enough to catch Spagnola? Jasmine Berry has also run under 45 seconds this season. She is capable of getting into the 43’s in this meet.

Courtney Dalton (Shepard HS, Palos Heights), Kyla Jimmar (Richards HS, Oak Lawn), Maya Neal, and Mikaela Manson (East HS, Plainfield) all have a chance of placing in the top five in this race.

1600 Meter Run

2014 3A State Best – 4:56.94 – Lauren VanVlierbergen (JR), Algonquin Jacobs HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 5:01.38 – Kathryn House (SO), Winnetka Loyola Academy

Outlook – This will be a wide open race. There are so many scenarios that could take place. Many of them depend on all of the athletes that will be coming back from a race earlier in the day. Lauren VanVlierbergen has the best time in 3A, but she could be coming back from the 800. Mimi Smith will be coming back from the 3200 as will Christina Santiago and defending 3A champion Madeline Perez. All three are capable of winning even after that race earlier in the day.

Let’s talk about the runners that will be coming back from the 4x8 relay. Kelly O’Brien (Palatine HS) has continued her success from the end of the cross country season running 4:57 in the 1600 this spring. Skyler Bollinger has only run 5:03 outdoors, but she ran 4:56 indoors at Top Times. Both of these sophomores could make a difference in the race. Lauren Opatrny (McHenry HS) has run 5:01 this season and could be a surprise in the outcome. Kathryn House has the fastest sectional time. She could run under 5 and challenge for the win. Keep an eye on Anne Zaher (Central HS, Hinsdale). She has been near 5 minutes this season. She could be a surprise.

Also watch for Megan Biddle (Hoffman Estates HS), Casey Jensen (Sandburg HS, Orland Park), Mary Claire Leonard (Marist HS, Chicago), and Torree Scull (East HS, St. Charles) to challenge for the front. There are up to 15 athletes that could win this race. It will take 4:55 or under to win.

200 Meter Dash

2014 3A State Best – 24.08 – Alexis Hyshaw (SR), Frankfort Lincoln-Way East HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 24.64 – Parker English (SR), Evanston Township HS

Outlook – It will be as good of a race as the 400. Some many great runners in one race. It is a shame that there can only be one winner. Parker English looked strong in all three of her sectional wins. She could take the win in this race. Alexis Hyshaw has run the state’s best time two weeks ago at her conference meet. She is going to challenge for the win. Briyana DesRosiers ran 24.12 in April and will be up front in this race. Brittny Ellis will also challenge for the front. The same applies to Megan Marias and Antoinette Broughton. Like I said, it’s a shame there can be only one winner.

Keep an eye on LaCresha Linton, Brittany Thomas, Jessica Watkins, and Norma Abdur-Rafia (Oak Park-River Forest) to challenge for a spot in the finals. This is a power packed race. It could take a time under 24 seconds to win this race.

4 x 400 Meter Relay

2014 3A State Best – 3:57.85 – St. Charles East HS

2014 3A Sectional Best – 3:57.85 – St. Charles East HS

Outlook – Defending 3A champs St. Charles East have the edge in this race. They have a strong squad led by anchor Jordan Shead that could take command in this race. After the Lady Saints, there are ten schools that are within two seconds of each other. It will be a huge scramble to just make it to the finals.

Lincoln-Way East has run 3:59.67 this season and will challenge for the front. Bloom Township has the second fastest sectional time. They will be up front having run under 4 minutes this season. O’Fallon, West Aurora, and Lane Tech have the ability of running under 4 minutes in this race. The battle will be making it to the finals. The fun for those nine qualifying teams will begin after that. It will take 3:54 or under to win this race.

Teams to Watch

Frankfort Lincoln-Way East – Qualified eleven individuals and four relays to Charleston. The defending champions look ready to repeat with some high points coming in many events. The 4x1 and 4x2 relays are favorites. The 4x4 could place again in the top three. Alexis Hyshaw and Megan Marias could score big points in both the 100 and 200. Julia Junkroski will most likely be in the top five in the Pole Vault and challenge for points in the High Jump along with Ololade Ayoola. It will be a bonus if Alexis Pierre-Antoine qualifies in the 300 Hurdles or Asia Brown and Dana O’Grady can make it to the finals in the 400. This team can score points in many different ways. If they go past 60 points, I doubt that ay team will be able to catch them.

West Aurora – Qualified eight individuals and one relay to Charleston. Last year, the Blackhawks missed a trophy by one point. They have a good shot of bringing home some hardware from this meet. It will come down to the shoulders of Emma Spagnola who has the sectional best performances in both hurdle races and the Long Jump. Tamia Rayford has a chance of getting her team some points in the 400 Meter Dash. Maya Marion will be counted on to get her team some points in the Shot Put. Kyla Walton has qualified in the Long Jump and the 300 Hurdles. It would be a bonus if she could get points in one of those events. It could come down to the 4x4 where West Aurora has one of the top sectional times if they can win a trophy.

Evanston Township – Qualified nine individuals and three relays to Charleston. Just like West Aurora, it will come down to one individual to boost their team into the top three. Parker English will score big points in 200 and 400. She has the ability to place in the top three in the Long Jump. She also has the top sectional time in the 100. It would be a big plus if she places in the top three. Remy Amarteifeo could get her school points in the 100 Hurdles. Their 4x2 and 4x4 have the talent to make it to the finals. The 4x1 scoring points would be a bonus.

Rock Island – Qualified six individuals and three relays to Charleston. The Rocks could return back to their school with a team trophy. Both their 4x1 and 4x2 should place high in both of those events. LaCresha Linton has qualified in both the 100 and 200. She is capable of getting points in both of those events. Hannah Willhite has one of the top performances in both horizontal jump events. She could place in the top five in the Long Jump and get some points also in the Triple Jump. Mystique Thompson will help in the relays. She could also score points in the 100.

O’Fallon – Qualified eight points and four relays to Charleston. This could be a surprise squad that could leave the state meet with a trophy. Their 4x8 team has a good chance to score points. The other three relays all have a chance to get points. Aleasha Jones has had a breakout senior season. She could make the finals in either the 100 or the 400. Ciara Jones could also get her team points in either the 100 Hurdles or the Triple Jump.

St. Charles East – Qualified four relays and three individuals for Charleston. The Lady Saints will need to rely on the success of their relays in order to place in the top three. Their 4x4 relay has the fastest sectional time and will be the favorite in that event. They could place high in the 4x8 also. It would be a bonus for their other two relays making it to the finals. Jordan Shead has a chance to place in the top four in the 400. Allison Chmelik will help in the relays. She could also pick up points for her team in the Triple Jump. Torree Scull has qualified for the 1600. She has a good chance to get her team points in that event.

Aurora Metea Valley – Qualified five individuals to Charleston. Even though they finished fifth in their sectional, this team could rely on two events to get the points that could earn them a state trophy. Holly Julifs and Courtney Morgan are seeded high in both the Shot Put and Discus. Both could place in the top four or better in this meet. Kendall Cast has a chance to get a couple of points in the 3200. They will have to stick around till the end to see if they will be taking a trophy back to Aurora with them.

Cary-Grove – Qualified twelve individuals and one relay to Charleston. The winners of the DeKalb Sectional, they have an outside chance of finishing in the top three. Morgan Schultz has qualified in the 800, 300 hurdles, and the 200. She could place in the top three in both the 800 and 300 Hurdles. Nikki Freeman could give her team some points in the Discus. Freeman and Olivia Roehri have a shot to place in the Discus.