2021 IHSA Girls State Track & Field Championships - 2A Teams to Watch

 

By Michael Newman

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The change of format for this year’s meet opens a crater full of possibilities in the Class 2A Championships. Latin School is one of the favorites in this meet relying on two individuals to push the Romans to the title. Geneseo and Rosary have the numbers to bring the championship trophy back home to their school.

 

Mt. Zion and Normal University also have the numbers to position themselves in the first three teams.

 

Here is a look at some of the teams to watch for in the Class 2A State Finals. Teams mentioned are in alphabetical order.

 

 

Aurora (Rosary)

 

Qualifiers: Total = 13; 10 Individuals, 3 Relays

 

Outlook – The Royals advanced 13 to this Friday’s State Finals after winning the Plano Sectional. They have the quantity and quality to contend for a trophy. Their three relay qualifiers should pick some big points. Rosary has the fastest time in Class 2A and the third fastest sectional time. They ran the state best with Lianna Surtz a part of the quartet. She did not run the relay at sectionals. Surtz qualified in the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run and should score some big points.

 

Ann Molenhouse has one of the top times in the 300 Meter Hurdles and will be a factor in that event. The senior also qualified in the 100 Meter Hurdles but is not expected to be slotted in the final section and could still score points in that event. Lauren Roskuszka joins Molenhouse in the Triple Jump where both could pick up some major points. Roskuszka could also pick up points in the Long Jump.

 

Libby Saloga has the third best sectional mark in the Pole Vault and will pick up some big points. Maia Italia and Olivia Kunio will be part of the 4x8. They also will be running in the section of the 800 Meter Run where both may pick up points. The Royals have the top sectional time in the 4x400m Relay and will be the favorite. They do have a team in the 4x200m Relay and could pick u points in that event.

 

Burlington (Central)

 

Qualifiers: Total = 11; 7 Individuals, 4 Relays

 

Outlook – The Rockets finished second behind Rosary at Plano. They have 11 qualifiers that could be in the mix for a trophy. Brooke Barkocy should be doing the major lifting on Friday. She has the top time in both the 100 Meter Hurdles and 300 Meter Hurdles. Barkocy could win both events in her final state meet.  Fiona Pedone will be a big part of the team’s relays. She also qualified in the 100 Meter Dash where she could score some points. Burlington Central is among the top eight teams in the 4x100m and 4x200m Relays and could score points in both. Their 4x400 Relay squad, with Barkocy as anchor, has the third best sectional time and will be aiming for the win. It could be a bonus to pick up points also in the 4x800m Relay.

 

Tia Brennan is a possibility to finish in the top nine in the Pole Vault. Carolina Hintz could finish in the top five of the Discus as well as scoring points in the Shot Put.

 

Chicago (Latin School)

 

Qualifiers: Total = 16; 14 Individuals, 2 Relays

 

Outlook – Latin School easily won in their own sectional bringing 16 to Charleston. It is the largest group in this classification. Two athletes will carry the load for the Romans. They do have other athletes that could pick up points.

 

Marianne Mihas and Ava Parekh will carry the load running in four events each. Parekh will be one of the favorites in both the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. She is also entered in the 800 Meter Run where she could get more points for her team. Mihas is the favorite in the 800 Meter Run and will challenge for the win in the 400 Meter Dash.

 

Latin School has the top sectional time in the 4x800m Relay with Mihas anchoring and will be the favorite. Both Parekh and Mihas will be part of the 4x400m Relay team that will challenge for the win.

 

Bea Parr could pick up some big points in the 1600 Meter Run. Olivia Syftestad is a good bet to finish among the top six in the 3200 Meter Run. Alice Mihas qualified in both weight events. She could score points in both.

 

Eureka

 

Qualifiers: Total = 11; 9 Individuals, 2 Relays

 

Outlook – Eureka finished a close second to Normal University at Kankakee last week but do advance 11 to Friday’s State Finals. The Hornets will score points in the distance events. Anna Perry qualified in the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. The junior should score big in both races. Alexi Fogo should score points in the 1600 Meter Run. She will also anchor the 4x800m Relay that has the fifth fastest sectional time and will be in the hunt for the win. Eureka just missed the final section of the 4x400m Relay. Don’t be surprised if they finish in the top six in this event.

 

Elle Knapp is a possibility to score points in the 800 Meter Run. Ashley Lehman also could pick up points in the Discus. Allison Schrock could reach the top nine in the Pole Vault.

 

Geneseo

 

Qualifiers: Total = 13; 10 Individuals, 3 Relays

 

Outlook – Geneseo dominated their own their own sectional. The 13 qualifiers that made it to Charleston could come back home with a state championship. Geneseo should pick up the bulk of their points in the field events.

 

Annie Wirth is one of the top athletes in this meet in the Long Jump and High Jump. She will be one of the favorites in both of those events. Evie Wilson with a good competition could challenge for a top four finish in the Pole Vault. Hannah Rakestraw could also score in that event. Olivia Marshall is also a possibility to get a couple of points in the Discus.

 

Ali Rapps qualified in both hurdle events. The junior has the second fastest sectional time in the 300 Meter Hurdles and could challenge for the win. Rapps will also be a factor on who wins the 100 Meter Hurdles. Rapps and Wirth will be part of the 4x400m Relay team that will challenge for the win. Geneseo also has a chance to finish in the top five in the 4x200m Relay. They also have a chance to score a couple of points in the 4x800 Meter Relay

 

Mascoutah

 

Qualifiers: Total = 10; 6 Individuals, 4 Relays

 

Outlook – The strength of their relay and the success of them on Friday will determine if they challenge for a top five finish. The Indians are just on the outside of the top 10 in the 4x100m Relay, 4x200m Relay, and the 4x800m Relay. They could score in all three of those events. Their 4x400m Relay is seeded ninth and could score points out of the second section.

 

Jayda Williams will be doing major relay work in this meet. The junior also is among the top five in the 400 Meter Dash and could contend for a top three finish. Katrina Schneider and Olivia Lee are among the top seven sectional performers in the Pole Vault. Both athletes could pick up points in this event. Ellie Lowe is among the top 10 in the Long Jump and could pick up points with a good series of four jumps. Elizabeth Woodruff qualified in the Discus. She could be among the top five finishers in that event.

 

Monticello

 

Qualifiers: Total = 9; 7 Individuals, 2 Relays

 

Outlook – The Lady Sages only have nine qualifiers for this meet. The quantity is not here for them. The quality of the advancers is. Mabry Bruhn qualified in both the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. She could score points in both events. Bruhn has found success this spring in the Pole Vault and could score points in that event as well.

 

Estella Miller qualified in the same distance events as Bruhn. The sophomore could score in both of those races. Rachel Koon should be in the final section of the 800 Meter Run. She could finish in the top five. Koon is also the anchor for her team’s 4x80m Relay that could also place in the first five. Monticello has the sixth fastest sectional time and will be in the final section of that event. They could be within reach of finishing in the first three spots. Rose Talbert qualified in the 400 Meter Dash and could score points there along with contributing on both relays.

 

Mt. Zion

 

Qualifiers: Total = 14; Individuals 11, Relays 3

 

Outlook – The numbers are there for the Braves to challenge for a top three finish. Sarah Addai enters the meet with the top sectional time in the 400 Meter Dash and a top seven time in the 200 Meter Dash. She will be the favorite to win the 400 and finish in the top five in the 200. Addai also qualified in the 100 Meter Dash.

 

Morgan Pilate has the fifth fastest sectional time. The senior could finish in the top three in the 100 Meter Hurdles. Pilate could also score points in the Long Jump and big points in the Triple Jump where she could finish in the top three. Alaina Barr and Lydia Trump are possibilities to score points in the 300 Meter Hurdles. Rhiannon Marshall could finish in the top nine in the High Jump. Mt. Zion qualified three relays. Their best bet to score points is in the 4x800m Relay.

 

Normal (University)

 

Qualifiers: Total = 14; Individuals 10, Relays 4

 

Outlook – The Pioneers looked dominant in their sectional win. U-High qualified 14 with a chance to earn a top three trophy. Alana Barr had a breakout sectional meet qualifying in the 100 Meter Hurdles, 100 Meter Dash, and 200 Meter Dash. The sophomore will challenge for a top three finish in the hurdles. Barr has the fastest 100 Meter Dash time with hopes of a state championship. She is seeded second in the 200 which she could win also. Reese Mitchell is among the top four sectional qualifiers in the 100 Meter Dash and could also pick up some big points.

 

Sawyer Schoon and Lindsey Shouse are among the elite Pole Vault athletes in Class 2A. Shouse will contend for a top three finish. Shouse could finish in the top five. U-High could have success in the 4x800m Relay scoring points. Lizzy Zacharias will be part of that relay. She just missed making the final section of the 1600 Meter Run. She could still finish in the top six in that event. Their 4x200m Relay team could get points in that event as well as the 4x100m Relay and 4x400m Relay.