By Michael Newman, ILXCTF.com Editor

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Warrensburg-Latham would like to take one more step up to the top of the 1A mountain this weekend after finishing second in 2016. The pieces are there to accomplish that with 10 qualifiers heading to Charleston. 

It could be St. Anthony or St. Joseph-Ogden that would like to take home the top prize. St. Anthony has Anna Sophia Keller and Kristin Slaughter that could repeat as individual state champions. St. Joseph-Ogden has some strong relays that could get them at the top spot.

Here is a look at some of the teams that will challenge for the 1A state championship this weekend.

1A Teams to Watch

Warrensburg-Latham

2^nd – Shelbyville Sectional

Qualifiers – 10 Total (8 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – The Cardinals finished second in Class 1A last year and are in position to for the state championship with 10 qualifiers. Kathleen Young is the six-time champion in the weight events (Shot Put / Discus) and will be the favorite in both events this weekend. Taylor George will be a key to her team’s success on the track. She is tied for the top 1A sectional time as well as picking up points in the 100 Meter Dash. Their 400 and 800 Meter Relays should pick up big points. Their 800 Meter Relay is the fastest in 1A (1:46.14) by almost two seconds. Freshman Brittany Oakley could give her team some big points in the Long Jump. This team has the athletes to win the 1A state title. A good preliminary round on Thursday could solidify that.

Effingham St. Anthony

3^rd – Newton Sectional

Qualifiers – 7 Total (6 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – This team has the potential to score between 38 to 45 points. That could be enough to get them a trophy perhaps the 1A state championship. Anna Sophia Keller will end her storied high school career with the possibility of winning her eighth and ninth state track & field titles. She is the favorite in both the 3200 Meter Run and the 1600 Meter Run. Kristin Slaughter is the defending champion in the Pole Vault. She has the highest clearance in 1A this year and could defend her title. Slaughter also qualified in the 400 Meter Dash. It would be a bonus if she makes it to the finals. Both Keller and Slaughter are part of the Bulldogs’ 1600 Meter Relay that has the fastest 1A sectional time. They could also pick up points in that event. This school only has seven qualifiers so no mistakes is a necessity. If everything clicks, a trophy could be in the cards.

St. Joseph–Ogden

1^st – St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional

Qualifiers – 14 Total (10 individuals, 4 Relays)

Overview – The key for success at this state meet for the Lady Spartans could be in the relays. They have the fastest sectional time in the 400 Meter Relay and could pick up some big points. SJO qualified in the 3200 Relay and are in the middle of the sectional qualifying pack. This team ran 9:56.58 with the second fastest 1A time in the state. We could see big points from this event for this squad. They have the 1A time in the state in the 1600 Meter Relay and second fastest in the Relay. Some good points could also come from those two relays. Frankie Izard will be part of those relays. She could also get points in the 100 Meter Dash. Parker Francisco has the fastest 1A time in the 100 Hurdles and will be one of the favorites in that event. It would be a bonus if Zea Marron gets her team points in the 300 Hurdles. Hanna Atwood is in the top five in the Pole Vault this year and should give her team points.

Chicago Luther North

1^st – IC Catholic Prep Sectional

Qualifiers – 12 Total (10 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – Three athletes comprise nine of the ten individual qualifiers. With the 1A preliminary round on Thursday and the finals on Saturday, this team could surprise some if everything goes right in the prelims. Kayla Armstrong should qualify for the finals in the 100, 200 and 400 Meer Dash. She should pick up points in all those events. Jada Williams has the second fastest sectional time in the 100 Meter Dash. and could be one of the favorites in that event. Williams also qualified in the other two sprint events and could get her team points in those. Natasha Bernett qualified for the 100 and 300 Hurdles. She could score ten or more points total in those two events. All three are part of Luther North’s 400 Meter Relay that right now has the fifth fastest sectional times. This school rises to the occasion in big meets. They could contend for the event title.

Decatur St. Teresa

1^st – Shelbyville Sectional

Qualifiers – 7 Total (6 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – The numbers show that his team could contend for a top five finish in Charleston if everything works hey way they need it to. It could all come down to DaeLin Switzer who qualified for three individual events. Switzer is the defending champion in the High Jump and will be one of the favorites. She is among of the top ten sectional qualifiers in the 100 Hurdles were should could be among the top four. Switzer also qualified in the 300 Hurdles. She could get bonus points for her team. Switzer will also be a part of their 400 Meter Relay that could finish among the top five. Noelle DeJaynes could be a surprise in the Discus picking up bonus points.

Seneca

1^st – Seneca Sectional

Qualifiers – 15 Total (11 Individuals, 4 Relays)

Overview – The Irish have 15 qualifiers going to Charleston. They have the numbers o possibly get into one of the top five positions. All four of their relays qualified for state. The best bet for big points are in the 3200 and 1600 Meter Relays. Their 3200 Relay is among the top five sectional times. Their 1600 Meter Relay is second among sectional performances. One or both could end up state champions. Cora Wilkerson could get points in the Triple Jump while Emily Woods could finish in the top five in the Long Jump. Eva Bruno will be part of two of the longer relays. She could also be among the top nine in the 400 Meter Dash.

Pana

3^rd – Shelbyville Sectional

Qualifiers – 8 Total (5 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Overview – Do not be surprised if you see this team finish in the top five. Claudia Magnussen finished second last fall at the 1A state cross country meet. She could pick up big points in both the 3200 and 1600 Meter Run. Daylee Denton qualified in both horizontal jumps. She could pick up points in the Long Jump. Hollie Johnson finished third in the 400 Meter Dash in her sectional meet. She could be a surprise in the top six. Pana has the second fastest 1A sectional time in the 800 Meter Relay and should pick up big points. Both their 400 and 1600 Relays made it to Charleston. They could do some damage on Saturday if they can get out of the Thursday prelims.

Teutopolis

1^st – Newton Sectional

Qualifiers – 11 Total (7 Individuals, 4 Relays)

Overview – Most of T-town’s points will come from relay events. They are among the top five sectional teams in the 1600 Meter Relay that are within a second of each other. They could come away with the event title. Their 3200 Meter Relay could also score points. Freshman Claire Bushur has come on strong this outdoor season and could get points in both the Shot Put and the Discus.

Milledgeville

2^nd – Bureau Valley Sectional

Qualifiers – 7 Total (5 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – Rebecca Waite qualifying for state in four events is one of the reasons why her school is listed here. She has the fourth fastest sectional time in the 100 Meter Dash and will be one of the favorites. She has the fastest 1A sectional time in the 400 Meter Dash. Watch for big points from here in that one-lap race. Waite could also pick up points in the 200 Meter Dash as well as the Long Jump. Both their 800 and 1600 Meter Relays have a chance to pick up points if they can advance to Saturday.