The IHSA girls track and field finals are taking place this weekend at O’Brien Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston. Class 1A was first up yesterday, with Class 2A today and Class 3A tomorrow.
United High School’s Bridget Brokaw was seeded 14th going into the 800 meter run yesterday. She qualified for the state finals in her sophomore year as a part of a 4×400 relay team that placed sixth and was looking for a return trip last year but tore her ACL during a basketball game early in her junior year in 2019, which would’ve taken her out of the track season in last spring. As it was, covid-19 would’ve done that anyway. After placing 3rd in the 800 meter in the Class 1A Knoxville sectional meet last week, she was seeded 14th going into the finals. The top nine places at each event in the state finals earn a highly coveted medal. Brokaw needed to improve her position by at least five spots. She did that, and more, placing 4th in the event.
The winner of the tough field at the Knoxville sectionals, BPC/WP senior Maleigha Huston, took the top seed into yesterday’s race and that’s where she finished, as Huston claims the state championship in the event.
West Central senior triple jumper Sadie Lenz brought home medal, as she placed 9th.
Sherrard’s Mattie Kindelsperger earned a state championship in the 3200 meter run. Ridgewood freshman Miranda Reed was 7th in the same race.
Four different relay teams from Knoxville High School competed yesterday. The best finishing team was the 4×800 quartet. They got a top-five placement, getting a 5th place medal.
Today, it’s Class 2A turn on the famous blue track at O’Brien Field. Monmouth-Roseville senior Ryley Huston will take part in the shot put and Galesburg’s Kaylee Allen will compete in the 200 and 400 meter dashes. She is also a part of two Galesburg relay teams, as well. Macomb will be represented by three young ladies in the 2A finals. Kyleigh Diggs will run in the 400 meter dash, Laine Torrance will high jump and Madeline Benson will compete in the pole vault.
