Photo: Chloe Lindeman could be the athlete to take over the 1A weight events now that Kathleen Young has graduated (Laura Duffy Photo)

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

This should be a year of transition in this classification’s field events disciplines. Four of last year’s state champions have graduated.

The biggest shoes to fill will be in the Shot Put and Discus. Kathleen Young was the state champion in both events the past four years. We could see a fresh face at the top of the podium by the time we get to Charleston in May.

Here is a look at each of the six field events.

LONG JUMP

Top Returnees

Notes – This event is fairly-open led by defending state champion Paige Yoder of Rockford Keith County Day. Yoder came on strong at the end of last year and was the only 1A athlete to go past 18 feet in this event.

One athlete to keep an eye on is Faith Frye from Casey-Westfield. The junior came on strong during the summer jumping 18-2 in the event at a USATF Regional meet. She failed to go past 17 feet during the regular season. She has already jumped 17-7 indoors. She could challenge for the state title if her season continues to progress.

Kearra Kohrt of Fulton, Brittney Oakley of Warrensburg-Latham, and Lauren Glick of Camp Point Central are the other state medalists returning for 2018. Rebecca Waite of Milledgeville and Lucy Rulon of St. Thomas More are two athletes that have the talent to find their way into the top three this May.

TRIPLE JUMP

Top Returnees

Notes – The story is the same in this horizontal jump event as was in the Long Jump. The event is open with three all-state athletes coming back. 2017 Champion Taryn Mays has graduated. Fifth-place finisher Natasha Bernett has transferred to Lane Tech after her school that she competed in last year Luther North has closed.

It could come down to two athletes to challenge for the state championship. Danielle Taets of Orion is the lead returnee having finished second in last spring’s state meet. Taets came on strong in the final month of the season going past 36 feet in her final five meets. Camren Devries of Lena-Winslow was less than three inches behind Taets at state placing third. Her best jump in the finals (36-10.25) was also her season’s best by more than a foot. Kaelyn Hamalle of Spring Valley Hall earned all-state honors by placing ninth last year and should be a threat for the state title.

Amy McGahey of Robinson did not qualify for the 2A state meet last year but did go past 35 feet twice in May. The move down a classification for her school could benefit her. Grace Alley of Seneca and Whitney Smith of Stewardson-Strasburg both made last year’s state finals and will be athletes to watch for. Sydney Schnitker of Nashville and Lauren Friess of Johnston City should also be watched in this event.

HIGH JUMP

Top Returnees

Notes – This event is loaded with the top eight state placers returning led by 2017 state champion DaeLin Switzer of St. Teresa. Switzer had a strong sophomore season winning state as well as the Illinois Top Times Championship indoors. She cleared 5-6 or higher eight times during her sophomore campaign. All eyes will be on Switzer in this event.

Kiah O’Neal of Alleman cleared 5-9 last spring in her sectional meet and finished second at state clearing 5-5. The sectional performance could take her higher confidence wise this spring. She is an athlete to keep an eye on. Kenli Nettles of Arthur-Lovington, who finished third last year at state, cleared 5-7 twice in her freshman season in 2017. Last year’s season experience could take her to the next level in 2018.

Janiya Collins of Madison, Janika Peitzmeier of LeRoy, and Kaela Wellman of Liberty all had 5-3 season bests last year earning them all-state honors. All three could push for top three state finishes. Lucy Rulon also cleared 5-3 last spring making the state finals. She was consistent at 5-5 during the summer. That could help with her confidence this 2018 season.

POLE VAULT

Top Returnees

Notes – Two-time state champion Kristin Slaughter has graduated leaving a void in this event. This is an opportunity event as only two all-state athletes are back. All eyes should be on Emma Smith of Carlinville who finished third last year at state. Smith is the only returning athlete to go past 11 feet. She did that three times during the season. Most of the year she was in the 10-6 range as she cleared that height six times. She could be tough to beat in Charleston.

Sarah Craig of Danville Schlarman could be Smith’s chief competition as she cleared 10-6 during the season as well as finishing ninth at state. There is a young group behind these two as Micah McWhorter of Teutopolis cleared 10-0 as a freshman, as well as Emily Graves of Paxton-Buckley-Loda and Emma Warner of Vandalia cleared the same height as sophomores. The meet experience that these three went through last year could help them get closer to Craig and Smith. Watch for their progress during this season.

SHOT PUT

Top Returnees

Notes – Who will step into Kathleen Young’s shoes this spring? It will be hard to fill those shoes as the now University of South Carolina Student/Athlete was undefeated in this event for four years. This event should be tough as six all-state athletes are back.

Chloe Lindeman of Fulton could be the one to step into the top spot. The junior finished second at state last year. Lindeman went over 44 feet four times including 47-5 in her sectional win. Lindeman, coming into this season, is five feet ahead of the rest of the competition. Looking at her improvement over the past year, she could get close to 50 feet by the end of this season.

Five other all-state athletes will challenge for the state title led by Chandler Hayden of Pittsfield, Emily Offenheiser of Stockton, and Claire Bushur of Teutopolis. Rachyl Anderson of Salt Fork and Anna Miller of Midwest Central also will push to get back on the podium in Charleston.

Saige Barnett of Bureau Valley went 41-2 in her sectional meet but did not qualify for the state finals. That could motivate her to bigger things her junior season.

DISCUS

Top Returnees

Notes – This event is also tough with seven all-state athletes back. Rachyl Anderson is the top returnee having finished third at state. She has the top returning mark (149-4) that was achieved in a triangular meet as well as going past 140 feet at the News Gazette Honor Roll Meet. That success past 140 feet puts Anderson ahead the rest of the field.

Emily Offenheiser, who threw 137-10 last spring as well as placing fourth at state, could be Anderson’s chief competition. Hope Jackson of Riverdale and Sabrina Martinez of Bismarck-Henning both had seasonal bests over 130 feet and could challenge for a top spot. Chloe Lindeman and Noelle DeJaynes of St. Teresa are some of the other athletes that I would keep an eye on.