The Sentinel: Faces from the past, Moments from the Illinois girls' state track meet

Faces from the past, Moments from the Illinois girls' state track meet

Here is a look at a few of the special moments filled with emotion, intensity, and determination from the top high school track & field athletes at last year's state meet.

As The Sentinel prepares to cover this year's IHSA Girls State Track & Field Finals on Thursday, we’re diving into our archives to celebrate the athletes and moments from last year's championship day. Here's a look at the faces of some of the state's top qualifiers and finalists from 2024.

Huntley's Emily Byers hugs teammate Victoria Evtimov after winning a state track title — Huntley's Victoria Evtimov hugs two runners from Prospect High School after running the 4x200m relay. Evtimov, a senior, ended our final prep track appearance with the state title in the event. Running with teammates Dominique Johnson, Emily Byers, and K'Leigh Saenz, the Red Raiders turned in the top time in Class 3A at 1:38.14a.

Huntley Emily Byers celebrates with Victoria Evtimov — Huntley junior Emily Byers shares her joy with teammate Victoria Evtimov after winning the Class 3A state title in the 4x200m relay in 2024. Byers along with squadmate Dominique Johnson return to Charleston to defend their title with the 8th best time in the state heading into the prelims on Friday.

Father McGivney's Elena Rybak crosses the finish line with a roar — Father McGivney's Elena Rybak unleashes a mighty roar as she crosses the finish line in first place for the title in the 4x400m relay. Teamed up with Lilly Gilbertson, Kaitlyn Hatley, and Jane Cummins, the squad finished the race six seconds ahead of the closest competitor at 3:56.97.

Whitney Young's Ella Sweatt runs at state track in the 4x100 — Focused only on the finish line less than 100 meters away, Whitney Young's Ella Sweatt runs anchor in the 4x100. Sweatt along with Simone Bernard, Angelena Bullocks, and Mia Seaton, finished the Class 3A race in second place at 46.67 for the silver medal. Sweatt returns to the EIU campus for a shot at another state title in at least one event.

A state track qualifier walks in silence after a disappointing performance in the 200m dash.

Urbana's Lorelie Yau crosses the finish line at state — Giving her all the last steps of her race, Urbana's Lorelie Yau crosses the finish line running anchor for her 4x400 relay squad. Yau and the Tigers finished in 8th place with a time of 4:05.01 with the help of Marley Yau, Samantha Christman, and Syniyah Quenga.

New Trier senior Gabriela Manzano and the Trevians wait for their score — Emilia Smith, Carly McConnell, Anna Rivera, and Gabriela Manzano wait for the relay squad's time after running the 4x400 relay. The quartet finished the race almost a second faster than their preliminary time a day earlier. The Trevians finished 5th with a time of 3:55.68.

Normal Community track team celebrates silver medal performance at state track — Members of the Normal Community 4x400m relay squad celebrate their second place finish in the Class 3A race.

Kankakee senior Na'Kyrah Cooks on the podium at 2024 state track meet — Kankakee senior Na'Kyrah Cooks poses for a picture while on the podium, waiting to receive her 8th place medal in the Class 3A Long Jump.

Lake Forest's Sophia Lane runs in the state Class 3A 4x800m relay. — Trying to catch the runners ahead of her, Lake Forest's Sophia Lane runs along the backstretch at O'Brien Field in the Class 3A 4x800m relay. The senior, along with teammates Lucy Schlachtenhaufen, Isabella Marisco, and Emily Witte finished 12th in the finals.

Naperville North's Brooke Sawatzky while waiting to receive her second state track medal — After winning the Class 3A Long Jump title with her best attempt at 18' 8", Naperville North's Brooke Sawatzky was back on the podium, this time to receive the silver medal for her 39' 10.5" leap in the Triple Jump.

💬 Did we get a photo of you at last year's state meet? Drop us your name, school, and which event(s) you competed in at state with an email to The Sentinel.

Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, Illinois high school sports, The best from the Illinois state track meet, Winning the state track title, Illinois track stars, State finals qualifers, Huntley track & field, Father McGivney track team, New Trier girls track team, North's Brooke Sawatzky wins two state track medals