Zach Fuchs steps in for a volley during his match against France's Antoine Ghibaudo Tuesday afternoon. Eliminated from singles at the ITF tournament, the 23-year-old will be back on court Wednesday with an eye on winning the doubles title.
CHAMPAIGN - Zach Fuchs came up just short in a gripping second-round qualifying match Tuesday at the Neitzel Family Open, falling to Antoine Ghibaudo in a decisive 10-point tiebreak at the Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign. The final score: 2-6, 6-4, 8-10.
Fuchs trailed 6-3 early in the breaker but fought back point by point to cut the deficit to 8-7 before Ghibaudo sealed the match with the final two points, advancing to Wednesday's first-round main draw.
The 23-year-old Fuchs, currently ranked 1376 by the ITF, opened the tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Saheb Sodhi in Monday’s first round of qualifying.
The Neitzel Family Open marked the final leg of a productive summer for Fuchs, who posted a 3-3 record across three tournaments in Tunisia. His three wins overseas combined with a solid showing at the Witchita Tennis Open back in mid-June highlights the hard work he has put in to improve his singles game.
The main draw competition starts on Wedenday at 10 am with four matches.
Later in the afternoon, Fuchs teams up with Wally Thayne for a doubles match against Mikael Arseneault and Alexander Brown.
This fall, one of the Rockets' most-decorated athletes, a medalist in track & field and cross country, plans to continue making strides in athletics and academics at Ball State.
by Dan Chamness
At one point during the last 18 months, recent Tolono Unity graduate Emily Decker did not know if she wanted to continue her collegiate athletic career in cross country and track and field.
But, the Ball State University coaching staff can be very convincing.
Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unity's Emily Decker crosses the finish line of the Class 2A 1600m Run. The senior earned a medal, finishing fourth in Class 2A with a time of 5:02.99. With several options to choose from, the Rockets' four-year varsity runner decided to continue her running career at Ball State.
"I chose Ball State because they really made me feel wanted," said Decker of the Muncie, Indiana-based school. I did not know for sure if I wanted to continue, but the coaches and my future teammates understood my apprehension about competing in college."
Indiana State University and Illinois State University, also NCAA Division I teams, also showed interest in the multi-sport Rocket athlete.
"Since I was undecided for a bit, it limited the number of schools that I spoke with," said Decker. "I am currently on a training plan that my coaches at Ball State (Adrian Wheatley, Rachel Nichwitz) have sent me. I am trying to stay fit mentally and physically. Right now, I am running six days a week. I also cross train, usually biking. I also lift weights three or four times a week."
Decker put herself on the map of any college watching the state finals in either cross country or track from her freshman year. She would help Tolono Unity win three cross country state championships in the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Finals. They were second during her senior season.
Two of those state title wins were in dominating fashion. As a sophomore, she finished 19th and was the second scoring runner. The Rockets would win by 101 points, scoring only 84 points. Chicago-based DePaul College Prep finished with 185 points to take second. They would make it a three-peat in 2023, scoring 109 points to win by 48 points. Anna-Jonesboro took second with 157 points.
"When we won my freshman year, it was pretty sweet, because no one expected us to win," recalled Decker.
Three years and approximately six months after helping the Lady Rockets earn a trophy every year of her career in cross country, she would be instrumental in helping them earn their first track trophy of her career. They would finish second in the state in the IHSA Class 2A Finals. The only girl's team in the state of Illinois in Class 2A Division was fellow Central Illinois team, Normal University High. Unity would finish with a total of 49 points, while University High had 64.
Personally, Decker entered the track state finals her senior year with a medal count of six, three in cross country and three more in track and field. By the time the state meet was over at 5 p.m. on May 24, Decker had upped her career medal count to nine. She would not only collect her fourth consecutive medal in the 3,200-meter relay, as the Rockets started their running day with a state title in the event. Individually, she would finish third in the 3,200-meter run and fourth in the 1,600-meter run as a senior.
While most of the athletes on the Ball State women's cross country team are from the state of Indiana, there is one from Illinois currently on the team in Batavia's Jenna Schifferer, who is slated to return for her senior year. There is no men's cross country team at Ball State, only a women's team. The same for track as the Cardinals only have a women's team.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Decker runs with the main pack in the title race of the 1600m run at the 2025 IHSA state meet.
Of the 12 runners contributing on varsity for the Ball State cross country team, only four were seniors. Eight are slated to return.
In 2024, in the sport of cross country, the BSU Cardinals finished seventh of the 12 teams in the Mid-American Conference. They would finish 17th of the 32 teams in the NCAA Division I Great Lakes Regional. In the winter of 2025, they were fourth of the dozen teams in the MAC Indoor Championships. In outdoor, they finished eighth.
"I am eager to run those collegiate distances and also try out some different events," said Decker. "The 3,000-meter steeplechase is an event that looks cool and I might try that. I have always liked the further distances and I am eager to see how I do at them."
The daughter of Bill and Julie Decker of Philo will be seeking a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Besides her athletic exploits in running, she was also a member of the Lady Rocket basketball team and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). At Unity, she has received an academic letter for all four years for her achievements in the classroom.
"The entire community was geared toward helping us succeed," said Decker. "That is what I will miss the most. The unwavering support from everyone, the community, my teammates, the entire school and the coaches. I can't imagine anyplace being more supportive overall."
Jun 11, 2025 10:58 pm .::. Area football players to play in all-star football game June 21ST. JOSEPH - Two of central Illinois’ top high school football talents and other members from the Illini Prairie Conference will join an elite group of players from across the state for one final game in their prep careers.
Coy Taylor of St. Joseph-Ogden and Robert Boyd-Meents of Paxton-Buckley-Loda will take the field June 21 at Tucci Stadium in Bloomington for the 51st Annual Illinois High School Shrine Game. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., with pregame ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the gate.
Jun 11, 2025 06:49 pm .::. Commentary |From Holocaust Remembrance to Gaza: Scholars raise genocide alarm
Dorothy Shea, the acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, recently vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza." This veto was issued despite the resolution’s description of the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic," and in the face of unanimous support from the council's other 14 members.
Jun 09, 2025 12:45 pm .::. Bill allows Illinois highway cameras to be used to investigate other crimesSPRINGFIELD - A bill passed in this year’s legislative session would rewrite the definition of a “forcible felony” to allow Illinois State Police to use images obtained from automatic license plate readers in cases involving human trafficking and involuntary servitude.
Jun 06, 2025 12:15 pm .::. Snoring Could Signal a Hidden Stroke Risk – Here’s WhyURBANA - Here’s another reason to pay attention when your partner complains that you’re snoring or gasping for air at night: sleep apnea – repeated episodes of stopped or slowed breathing during sleep – and stroke go together in more ways than you think.
Jun 05, 2025 07:50 pm .::. State Rep to hold satellite office hours for St. Joseph, stops in Vermilion County also setST. JOSEPH - State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is ready to hear from his constituents. Earlier this week, Niemerg announced "Satellite Office Hours" for St. Joseph, Homer, Fairmount and Georgetown on Tuesday, June 10.
This popular program provides opportunities for constituents to meet with legislative staff to receive help and discuss state issues and concerns.
Jun 05, 2025 01:06 pm .::. OSF to merge Urbana, Danville hospitals in overhaul for 2026URBANA - OSF HealthCare announced a major transformation in its east central Illinois operations Tuesday, revealing plans to merge two regional hospitals into a single entity with dual campuses.
Jun 05, 2025 11:26 am .::. Microplastics: Why you should worry about in our food supply?URBANA - From news reports to social media blurbs to medical studies, they’ve been in the public eye a lot lately. And experts say that likely won’t change.
We’re talking about microplastics or nanoplastics, incredibly small pieces of plastic that can get into our body.
Jun 05, 2025 03:48 am .::. Guest Commentary |Bitcoin King: From luxury townhome to jail
Would a million dollars make you happy? Would you be satisfied knowing you could eat well and do whatever you wanted? A million dollars isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still a huge sum of money. You could earn about $40,000 a year in interest. But wait—what if you had $100 million? You would be one of the richest people in the world! Can your mind even comprehend having that much money? Would you be satisfied? What about $100 million in bitcoin?
Jun 05, 2025 02:23 am .::. Updated: Urbana to host two 'NO KINGS' protests on June 14
After the courthouse protest, a free community dinner will be served at 6 p.m. at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center in Lincoln Square Mall, sponsored by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Jun 04, 2025 11:43 pm .::. U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Illinois congressman’s appeal of mail-in votingSPRINGFIELD - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal on a lawsuit led by Illinois Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost challenging Illinois’ mail-in voting law.
Bost and a pair of Illinois primary delegates for President Donald Trump sued the Illinois State Board of Elections in 2022, arguing that the state’s law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted after Election Day violates the federal law establishing an “Election Day.” Both a lower federal trial court and federal appeals court have ruled Bost lacked standing to sue.
Jun 04, 2025 10:58 pm .::. Book Review |Sky High: A Soaring History of Aviation
Humans have dreamed of flying since the beginning of time. Now that transcontinental air travel is common, flight is often taken for granted. Sky High: A Soaring History of Aviation by Jacek Ambrożewski traces the grand story of humanity's pursuit of flight, beginning with ancient legends passed down through cultures and ending with the historic journey of the solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2 in 2015–2016.
Jun 04, 2025 09:27 pm .::. Amid uncertainty in Washington, Illinois lawmakers pass slimmed-down Medicaid packageSPRINGFIELD - Nearly every year, Illinois lawmakers pass a package of measures dealing with the state’s Medicaid program, the joint federal and state health care program that covers low-income individuals.
Known as the Medicaid omnibus bill, it sometimes includes bold components, like a 2021 initiative that made millions of dollars available to local communities to help them plan and design their own health care delivery systems. Other packages have focused on smaller changes like guaranteeing coverage for specific conditions and medications or adjusting reimbursement rates for different categories of health care providers.
Jun 04, 2025 02:14 pm .::. Opening your home, opening your world: Families invited to host exchange students this fall
As families across the country plan for the school year ahead, one nonprofit is inviting them to take part in a cultural exchange that reaches far beyond the classroom. World Heritage International Student Exchange Programs is currently seeking host families willing to welcome international students into their homes for the upcoming school year.
Jun 04, 2025 01:24 pm .::. Don't forget the tip: Why your hotel housekeeper deserves a little extra during your stay
Vacation season is here, and travelers everywhere are packing bags, booking hotel rooms, and looking forward to a break. But while you’re relaxing poolside or enjoying a freshly made bed, there’s someone working hard behind the scenes to make your stay more comfortable: your hotel housekeeper.
Jun 03, 2025 03:35 pm .::. If you love food, here are the top cities you need to move to this year
For anyone who truly enjoys good food, choosing where to live can shape everyday happiness. Certain places offer incredible meals on every corner, from street stalls to high-end restaurants. Finding cities you should move to if you love food means looking for diversity, quality, and unique local flavors.
Jun 03, 2025 02:40 pm .::. Challenges to Illinois gun laws could go before the Supreme Court
Challenges to local and state gun bans in Illinois could be the next case in front of the U.S. Supreme court on the “AR-15 issue.”
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a challenge to Maryland’s ban, The Center Square reported. In the order, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said whether a state can ban an AR-15 is a question he expects the court to take up, but not right now.
May 28, 2025 12:57 pm .::. Book Review | I Fuel, How Energy Powers Our Busy World
"As dinosaurs thump about, my life begins," opens I Fuel, Kelly Rice Schmitt’s attempt to explain to children the complex web of energy topics.
Where do gasoline and jet fuel come from? How do our lights turn on? Why do we seek alternative energy sources? These questions are answered at a young child’s level in this 2024 picture book. Schmitt starts by describing the formation of crude oil, then delves into the ...
May 28, 2025 02:41 am .::. State-Bound: Local tennis players ready for IHSA Finals this weekendCHAMPAIGN - Three singles players and three area doubles teams are set to represent the Champaign-Urbana area at the IHSA Boys Tennis State Finals, which begin Thursday across the Chicago suburbs.
May 27, 2025 07:11 pm .::. Officials find first instance of West Nile virus in IllinoisCHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Public Health said the first positive test for West Nile virus in 2025 has been detected in Winnebago County near Rockford.
Health officials warned people in the infected area and elsewhere to take precautions to avoid the mosquito-borne disease, which is expected to spread across the state. Last year, Illinois reported 69 cases of West Nile, with 13 reported human deaths.
Father McGivney's Omar Avalos celebrates on third base after hitting a line drive to right field. The sophomore collected the team's first RBI, tying the score at 1-all. The Griffins went on to defeat the Indians in four innings 16-1, advancing to the Class 1A title game against Marquette High School. Avalos finished the game 3-for-4 with one run and 2 RBI.
Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Left: Freshman Gavin Greer lays down a bunt to third base in the first inning. He scored the team's only run on a Coy Clarke hit to center field later in the frame. Middle: Kannon Kamp is welcomed to home plate after his grand slam shot over the right field wall with Evan Koontz, Ty Etcheson, and Reilly Sutberry. The four-run homer put the Griffins up 5-1 on the scoreboard. Right: Pawnee pitcher Riley McElroy, who took the loss for Pawnee, unloads a pitch in the bottom of the third inning. The senior gave up seven hits in semifinal loss.
CHAMPAIGN - The Sacred Heart-Griffin baseball team mug teammate Tommy Lauterbach after he drilled the game-winning RBI deep into left field during their Class 2A championship baseball game against Teutopolis. The Cyclones defeated the Wooden Shoes 5-4 to take home state title for the first time four decades thanks to Lauterbach walk-off heroics in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was SHG's third state baseball title since 1987.
Left: Sacred Heart-Griffin's Andy Antonacci celebrates his home run at the plate with Mike Groesch and Drew Ward in the first inning. Middle: Tommy Lauterbach poses for a photo with the Cyclone's state trophy. Lauterbach hit the game-winning RBI to break a tie in the seventh inning. Right: Ty Springer celebrates with teammates after piling on Lauterbach. Want to see more Sentinel photos from this game? Let us know by email at sports@oursentinel.com.
Tagged: SHG State Baseball Champions, High School Sports, Baseball, State Baseball, SHG Baseball
Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day. Senior medaled in three events at Saturday's state track finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
North Shore Country Day's Brian E. Smith turns to acknowledge the roar of the crowd after winning the Class 1A 400m Dash title on Saturday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals in Charleston. CHARLESTON - North Shore Country Day senior Brian E. Smith II closed out his high school track career with a historic finish at the IHSA Track and Field State Finals, held May 29–31 at Eastern Illinois University. Smith claimed the Class 1A state championship in the 400-meter dash, turning in a winning time of 48.47 seconds, good for the third-fastest 400m time across all three IHSA classes.
With the title, Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day, a private school of just over 500 students in Winnetka. His performance came during what proved to be one of the driest and mildest weather weekends the state finals have seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith advanced to the 400m finals after posting his personal-best time of 48.12 seconds in Thursday’s qualifying round. In the championship race, he outran Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley’s Evan Landers-Kristensen, who placed second at 49.06 seconds, and Casey-Westfield’s Hayden Parcel, who took third in 49.36.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Running past Cumberland's Reid Carlen, Smith runs to a second place finish in heat 2 of the 100m Dash prelims on Thursday. He qualified for the championship race with the sixth fastest time at 10.89 after running a 11.10 at sectionals. Read more 2025 Sentinel state track coverage here.
Smith also competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, placing in both to cap a rare triple-threat showing. In the 100m final, he finished fifth with a time of 10.99 seconds. Morrison junior Brady Anderson won the event in 10.74, followed by Lena-Winslow’s Alec Schlichting (10.78), Morrison’s Levi Milder (10.92), and Red Bud’s Gavin Baldwin (10.96).
Later in the day, Smith took on the 200m dash and finished seventh with a time of 22.19. Milder secured his second gold medal of the meet with a personal-best 21.44 in the event.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Smith stands above the 400m Dash finalist during the awards
Smith was one of only two athletes in the state to place in all three sprint events—an accomplishment that underscored his consistency, versatility, and determination in a highly competitive field.
North Shore Country Day’s representation at the state meet wasn’t limited to Smith. Sophomore Kaeden Ackley advanced to compete in the triple jump, gaining valuable experience on the big stage. On the girls’ side, junior Reese Meyers earned a sixth-place finish in the Class 1A 400-meter dash a week earlier, clocking in at 57.94.
“We’re incredibly proud of all three student-athletes for representing North Shore on such a competitive level,” said Athletic Director and coach Patrick McHugh. “It was truly an amazing performance.”
Smith’s 400m state title marked a memorable conclusion to a spring season built on personal milestones, steady progress, and a strong sense of school pride.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Smith crosses the finish line the Class 1A 200m Dash prelims. The senior and one other runner ran in all three short-distance races in the 2025 state finals.
Tagged:North Shore Country Track & Field, State Track, Boys Track & Field, State Champion, Class 1A Sprinter
CHARLESTON - Ignoring the plight of Prairie Central's Tage Fehr next to him, St. Joseph-Ogden's Kyler Swanson clears a hurdle while running in 110 High Hurdle prelims on Friday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals. Swanson, a senior, turn in a time of 15.84, finishing sixth in his heat and 24th overall at O'Brien Field to cap his track & field career for the Spartans.
Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA boys state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, SJO Track and Field, St. Joseph-Ogden track, State track qualifier
CHARLESTON - Dwight's Graham Meister throw the shot during the Class 1A Shot Put preliminaries. Meister led the field of 36 competitors at the end of the first day of competition with his longest throw of 17.81m.
St. Thomas More’s Hunter Madigan wins sectional title; leads local field to IHSA state tennis finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Thomas More's Hunter Madigan plays in last year's park district Labor Day tournament. The junior won last weekend' sectional title and heads to the IHSA state tournament this weekend to face the best players in Illinois. CHAMPAIGN - Three singles players and three area doubles teams are set to represent the Champaign-Urbana area at the IHSA Boys Tennis State Finals, which begin Thursday across the Chicago suburbs.
St. Thomas More junior Hunter Madigan headlines the local contingent after capturing the Class 1A sectional singles title last weekend at Centennial High School. Madigan cruised through the bracket, dropping just two games in three straight-set victories. He opened with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Luke Abadeer of Cornerstone Christian Academy, then handled Urbana University's Swapnil Kumar 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals.
In the championship match, Madigan faced University High’s Jameson LaFave in a highly anticipated battle between two of the area’s top four singles players. Madigan prevailed 6-3, 6-1 to claim the sectional crown.
"My opponent played very well," LaFave said recounting the championship match. "Hunter Madigan hit some great shots, stayed consistent, and ran me out of the match."
Despite the loss, LaFave showed maturity beyond his years after the loss.
"It was a good fight in the opening set. He was just the better player that day. It was a tough loss," he said. "You got to learn from them and move on to state."
LaFave, a freshman in his first varsity season, still secured a state berth along with three U-High teammates. Senior Robert Gao and junior Kyle Fan qualified for the doubles draw, while Kumar advanced with a third-place singles finish.
Madigan will open state play against Dunlap's Harmin Patel. LaFave, seeded No. 15 in the 1A bracket, draws Brother Rice freshman Nathan Miller. Kumar faces Andrew Mumford of Marmion Academy in the first round, while Gao and Fan will take on Wauconda's Sean Lenhart and Marshawn Gallego.
Chargers' doubles team joins area players at state
Centennial seniors Tyler Luchinski and Ryder Perry also punched their ticket to state, placing second in doubles at their home sectional. They begin the tournament against Althoff Catholic seniors Joe Hamilton and Braden Gasawski.
Three Maroons ready to battle for a podium spot
Central senior Abel Vines enters the tournament with momentum and a sparkling 29-1 record. Vines dominated the Springfield sectional without dropping a game in eight sets and opens his state run against Oswego East's Pranav Kannan.
Rounding the list of high school players heading to state are Central’s doubles team of Daniel Canivez and Sohum Gurrapu, who also secured a spot at state after winning the sectional title. They’ll face Minooka's Eli Chavez and Evan Lundeen, who finished third at the Lincoln-Way East sectional.
Tagged: IHSA Boys Tennis State Finals 2025, Champaign-Urbana high school tennis, Hunter Madigan tennis St. Thomas More, Abel Vines Central High tennis, Illinois high school tennis tournament, U-High Jameson LaFave state tennis
Chelsey Stotler of Stark County wins Class 1A shot put at IHSA State Finals with a 12.91m throw, improving from 4th last year. Nashville’s Makayla Gajewski falls just 0.08m short of defending her 1A shot put title, takes 2nd at 12.83m.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Making her third throw during Thursday's prelims, Stark County's Chelsey Stotler tosses her shot this year's top distance. Moving up from a 4th place finish in 2024, Stotler, a senior, ends her prep career on a championship note. CHARLESTON - Stark County senior Chelsey Stotler delivered a championship throw of 12.91 meters to win the Class 1A shot put title Saturday at the IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals at Eastern Illinois University, capping a steady climb from last year’s podium.
Stotler, who placed fourth in 2024 with an 11.80-meter effort, improved by more than a full meter in her final high school appearance. She entered the state series with the third-best sectional mark at 12.51 meters but found another gear in the finals to edge out a deep field that included several returning state qualifiers.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Hornets' Makayla Gajewski unloads a long throw while attempting to defend her 2024 IHSA shot put title. Heading into the state meet, the sophomore posted the best throw out all 14 sectionals.
Nashville sophomore Makayla Gajewski, last year’s state champion with a 12.11-meter throw, came within inches of repeating. She finished second at 12.83 meters, just 0.08 meters shy of Stotler’s winning mark. Gajewski’s 13.06-meter sectional throw led the state this spring, and her silver-medal finish suggests she’ll remain a contender for years to come.
Maroa-Forsyth’s Zion Young, also a sophomore, earned her second consecutive top-three finish with a 12.41-meter throw to take third. She placed third in 2024 as well, throwing 11.83 meters as a freshman representing Decatur St. Teresa. Her progression signals a strong upward trajectory in the event.
Vandalia junior Hannah Brown rounded out the top four with a personal-best 12.34-meter throw—nearly a full meter improvement from her ninth-place finish a year ago (11.22 meters). Brown qualified this year with a 11.29-meter sectional mark and found her best form when it mattered most.
The top four athletes in this year’s finals all returned from last year’s state field, making their improvements and consistency stand out in a discipline that demands technical precision and raw strength. Each surpassed their previous state finals marks by wide margins—demonstrating year-over-year growth that underscores the level of competition in the small-school division.
Left to right: Nashville senior Ellie Bartling makes her first throw during the prelims. Second: Hannah Brown throws the put 12.34m for a new PR. Third: Carlinville's Hannah Gibson reacts after her second foul. Fourth: El Paso-Gridley's throws the shot 11.62m on her third attempt.
Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Maroa-Forsyth sophomore Zion Young throws the shot 11.99m on her third throw. She also finished third in the final standings her freshman season.
While no athlete approached the state record of 15.55 meters set by Kathleen Young in 2016, this year’s results highlight the competitive depth and promise of a new generation of throwers.
The 1A field also featured several other athletes who returned from last year’s finals, including Warrensburg-Latham’s Emma Whightsil (6th, 12.14m in 2025; 10th, 11.16m in 2024), St. Teresa’s Addison Johnson (10th, 11.50m; 6th, 11.56m in 2024), Nashville’s Ellie Bartling (9th, 11.72m), and Carlinville’s Hannah Gibson (12th, 11.12m), each of whom continued to show consistency at the state level.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Watseka's Megan Martin throws the shot to her longest distance for the day to 10.41m from the circle. She finished 22nd overall out of 36 competitors.
IHSA 1A girls shot put 2025, Chelsey Stotler shot put state champion, Illinois high school track and field finals, 2025 IHSA girls track field results, Class 1A shot put results Charleston, Makayla Gajewski Nashville track and field, Zion Young Maroa-Forsyth shot put, Hannah Brown Vandalia shot put performance
West Carroll's Emma Randecker accelerates down the middle of the track ahead of Flanagan's Abbi Armstrong and ROWVA-Williamsfield Haven Manning in the 200m Dash prelims on Thursday at the IHSA Girls State Track & Field Finals. Two days later, Randecker took home the Class 1A state titles in both the 100m and 200m Dash.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
IHSA Girls 100m dash delivers speed and excitement; Emma Randecker leads top four at last weekend's state track & field meet for Illinois. Here is the list of the top high school sprinters in Illinois.
CHARLESTON - The 2025 IHSA Girls State Track 100 Meter Dash final at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium showcased a thrilling sprint showdown, with Savanna’s Emma Randecker powering to the championship in a wind-aided 11.91 seconds. The event, often regarded as track fans’ favorite for its electrifying speed and precision, lived up to expectations with a close race among the top four finishers.
Randecker, a senior from West Carroll, maintained her top form from the prelims, where she clocked a swift 12.11 seconds. Her winning time in the final was a significant improvement on her 2024 finals time of 12.22 seconds, marking a strong season progression. Randecker’s sectional qualifying time of 11.95 seconds had already signaled her as a contender for the state crown.
Finishing second was Jaida Reed of El Paso-Gridley, a sophomore who set a personal record of 12.09 seconds in the final, improving on her prelim time of 12.16 seconds and last year’s state finals time of 12.53 seconds as a freshman. Reed’s quick rise places her firmly among the state’s elite sprinters, and her 2024 qualification shows continued consistency. Her second place finish was key in EPG winning this year's Class 1A team title.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
West Carroll's Emma Randecker and Mendon Unity's Saylor Barry pull ahead Newman Catholic's Elaina Allen and the rest of the field in the championship race for the 100m dash on Saturday. Randecker took first and Barry finished second in the Class 1A race.
Unity’s junior Saylor Barry took third place with a final time of 12.17 seconds, a slight drop from her 12.03-second sectional qualifier but an improvement over her 2024 state final performance of 12.32 seconds. Barry’s prelim time this year matched her final time from last year, demonstrating steady competitive output.
The 100-meter dash remains a fan favorite for three reasons: the event showcases raw speed and explosive power over a brief but intense sprint; its unpredictability keeps spectators on edge as races can be decided by hundredths of a second; and it serves as a fundamental test of sprint mechanics, often predicting future stars in the sport.
Rounding out the top four was senior Lilly Gilbertson from Father McGivney, who ran 12.27 seconds in the final, shaving time off her prelim 12.39 and comfortably improving on prior benchmarks this season.
Several runners qualified for the state finals in both 2024 and 2025, illustrating a strong core of returning talent. Notable among these are Randecker, Reed, Barry, Gilbertson, and Elaina Allen from Sterling, who placed seventh this year with a 12.37 final time.
This year’s 100-meter dash also highlighted some freshmen to watch. McKenna Van Tilburg of Wilmington, who set a personal record of 12.31 seconds to place fifth, and Madison Yazel of Maroa-Forsyth, are among the promising newcomers. Reese Hoene from Effingham's St. Anthony's and Abbi Armstrong from Flanagan also posted strong times, hinting at a deep field in coming years.
Avoiding holiday acid reflux is a cinch; Dr. Greg Ward explains how
The advice from Greg Ward, MD, is sure to raise some eyebrows.
But he’s serious. It’s one way to prevent reflux, an ailment that’s painful and annoying in mild cases and can necessitate surgery in advanced instances. And it's something to be aware of during holiday eating.
Learning by leading: Building teen entrepreneurship and real-world business know-how
Already on Tiktok or Instagram? Teens can get real-world skills by blending business and their social media platforms into a unique venture this summer where they can learn valuable business experience as entrepreneurs.
Rybak wins state track title, next stop Notre Dame
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Father McGivney's Elena Rybak and St. Anthony's Isabella Keller embrace after running in the Class 1A 1600m Run on Saturday at the Illinois High School Association's Girls Track & Field State Finals.
