Emma Randecker wins 100m dash in class 1A, four newcomers have a bright future ahead

Emma Randecker leads the field in 100m dash prelims
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.

West Carroll's Emma Randecker and Mendon Unity's Saylor Barry sprint to the finish line in 100m Dash
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.


Illinois' top sprinters in the 100m Dash


1 Emma Randecker, West Carroll, 12.11
2 Jaida Reed, El Paso-Gridley, 12.16
3 Saylor Barry, Unity, 12.17
4 Bree Schneiderman, Forreston, 12.24
6 McKenna Van Tilburg, Wilmington, 12.34
5 Elaina Allen, Newman Central Catholic, 12.38
7 Lilly Gilbertson, Father McGivney, 12.39
8 Calie Field, Carrollton, 12.46
9 Daniella Bumber, Henry-Senachwine, 12.5
10 Madison Yazel, Maroa-Forsyth, 12.55
11 Reese Hoene, St. Anthony, 12.58
12 Kaelyn Swift, North Mac, 12.63
13 Jordyn Ballard, Rockford Lutheran, 12.64
14 Nevaeh Scott, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, 12.7
15 Miraya Pessman, Fulton, 12.71
16 Lily Bosnich, St. Bede, 12.72
17 Adi Foss, Camp Point Central, 12.78
18 Lucy Gargani, Rockford Christian, 12.8
19 Gabby Totten, Okaw Valley, 12.85
20 Gabriella Davis, Rockford Lutheran, 12.88
21 Kiara Holmes, Timothy Christian, 12.92
22 Abbi Armstrong, Flanagan-Cornell, 12.95
23 Aubrey Crispen, Athens, 12.96
24 Carleigh Clifton, Shiloh, 12.99
25 Brooklyn Thoms, Fulton, 13
26 Jaliyah Wright, Momence, 13.02
27 Lera Schmeink, Carlyle, 13.04
28 Micaela Riadi, Astoria, 13.06
29 Faith Wingert, Virginia, 13.08
30 R'Legend Hamilton, Maroa-Forsyth, 13.1
31 Abby Packer, Metro-East, 13.1
32 Karly Davenport, Marquette, 13.11
33 Paige Stevens, Farmington, 13.11
34 Stella Schackmann, Newton, 13.14
35 Brycie Hird, Salt Fork, 13.19
36 Samaria Thomas, Christ the King, 13.23
37 Madison Curless, Havana, 13.25
38 Lilly Trettenero, Staunton, 13.31
39 Kaylee Wolf, Okawville, 13.35
40 Maggie Carter, Stockton, 13.35
41 Emmie Gurley, Vienna, 13.38
42 Kadi Bain, Webber, 13.46

Tagged: Illinois high school track, IHSA, Girls State Track, High School Sports

Published on

Maroons test their speed in relay prelims at state

Champaign Central Londyn Grant fires out the blocks at state track meet
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - Champaign Central's Londyn Grant fires out of the blocks to start the Maroons' shot at securing a spot in the 4x400m relay in Saturday's IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals. Grant, running with teammates Sarah Donahoe, Milka Bwandundu, and Julia Bilsbury, finished the prelims in 33 place out of 40 teams on Friday with a time of 4:07.05. While the four runners did not advance this year, the good news is three of the four runners will return next spring to likely qualify for another trip back to state.

.::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.
Tagged: Central Maroons, Central Athletics, Sports, IHSA state meat, State-qualifier, State Track, Central runs at state track meet, 4x400m relay
Published on

Chargers' Noelle Hunt competes at state track

Centennial's Noelle Hunt competes in the Class 2A long jump at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - Centennial's Noelle Hunt sails through the air during her second jump while competing in the Class 3A Long Jump on Friday. The senior's best jump went 17' 5.5" for a 14th place. Hunt also ran on three of the Chargers' state-qualifying relay squads, including leadoff for the 4x200m and 4x100m, and anchor on the 4x400 relay team. .::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.
Tagged: Centennial Chargers, Centennial Athletics, Sports, IHSA state meat, State-qualifier
Published on

Decker going the distance, Unity senior in the running for state medals

Unity's Emily Decker competes in the 1600m run at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - Unity's Emily Decker runs her second lap of the Class 2A 1600m Run during the prelims at the 2025 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals on Friday. Decker advanced to the championship race after finishing seventh out a field of 30 with a time of 5:04.23. She will also run in 3200m Run and in the 4x800m relay for the Rockets on Saturday at O'Brien Field. .::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.
Tagged: Unity Athletics, Sports, IHSA Girls State Track Meet, High School Sports,
Published on

EPG leads the small school division in 4x400 relay prelims at IHSA state meet

EPG's Jaida Reed takes the baton from Teagan Tibbs
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - El Paso-Gridley sophomore Jaida Reed takes the baton from Teagan Tibbs, a freshman, while running in the second heat of the 4x400m relay prelims at Thursday's IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals. The Titans turned in the top time of the day at 4:05.62 ahead of Pleasant Plains (4:05.89) and Lena-Winslow (4:06.02) with the third best time in Class 1A. The anticipation for an exciting title will be high with these three teams in contention for the top three spots on the podium on Saturday.

.::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, State track qualifier, El Paso-Gridley sports, Girls Sports, EPG Titans

Published on

Tuscola's Clodfelder leaps into Class 1A finals at state track

Tuscola's Kenna Clodfelder long jumps in the Class 1A prelims at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - Tuscola's Kenna Clodfelder sails down the runway during the preliminary round at Thursday's IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals. The senior advanced to Saturday's championship competition with her best leap of 16' 10", four inches longer than her previous PR of 16' 6" from her sectional performance last week.

.::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, Tuscola High School, Tuscola Athletics, Tuscola Warriors, Long Jump, State track qualifier

Published on

Valmeyer senior takes her shot at a state title

Valmeyer senior Ava McClellan competing in the state long jump
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - Ava McClellan jumps 15' 11" on her second attempt during the Class 1A Long Jump at the IHSA Girls Track & Field Finals on Thursday. The Valmeyer senior finished third her flight with her best of three jumps at 16' 07.25".

.::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, Valmyer High School, Long Jump, State track qualifier

Published on

Commentary |
Six ways Trump's budget will damage rural Americans' way of life

Republicans in Congress are jamming through a sweeping bill to fund handouts to the rich - at the cost of jobs, health care, and food in rural America.
Rural American farm at sunset
Photo: Jakob Owens/Unsplash
by Michael Chameides
      OtherWords

Right now, Congress is working on a giant, fast-track bill that would make historic cuts to basic needs programs to finance another round of tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations.

As the Communications and Policy Director for the Rural Democracy Initiative, I’ve been hearing from rural leaders across the country about the devastating impacts this bill would have.

The good news is it’s not too late. But there’s little time to spare.

This dangerous, unpopular bill would increase costs for rural working families by thousands of dollars per year, leaving millions hungry and without health care — all to provide tax breaks and handouts to the wealthy and special interests.

Here are just six of the worst provisions.

1. It guts rural healthcare.

The bill would drastically cut Medicaid and impose new barriers to care. It would take healthcare away from 13.8 million Americans and increase the cost for millions more. In some states, 50 percent of rural children get healthcare from Medicaid. Millions more rely on access to clinics and hospitals that would likely close because of these cuts.

Other Stories ~
  • Global Zionist citizenship, an updated anifesto
  • State Representative says Illinois needs to focus on its citizens
  • American holiday efficiency, a three-for-one on June 14

    • 2. It takes food off the tables of rural people.

    The plan includes approximately $290-$319 billion in cuts to SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) even as the cost of groceries continues to escalate. More than 15 percent of families in small towns and rural areas rely on this support to feed their families.

    3. It shifts costs to states and local governments.

    State and local governments in rural areas depend more on federal funding from programs like SNAP and Medicaid than other states. Slashing federal funding to states would create new burdens for rural states that are already struggling to provide critical public services like health care, transportation, and emergency response services to local communities.

    4. It takes away local control.

    Landowners have fought to stop the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines by passing bans and moratoria, as well as enacting county setbacks and safety requirements to protect their communities.

    But this bill would overrule state and local laws and ordinances, override local voices, and deprive residents of a fair opportunity to evaluate the adverse impacts of pipelines. It also sets up a “pay to play” system under which companies can simply pay for pipeline, mining, and drilling permits — and avoid public comment and legal challenges.

    5. It ends clean energy and infrastructure funding.

    The bill would phase out existing tax credits for wind, solar, batteries, geothermal, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. It would also take away $262 million in funding for energy efficiency and conservation grants as well as transportation infrastructure.

    Ending these tax credits will increase household energy costs, which are already higher in many rural communities. These changes would also reduce new clean energy projects — and jeopardize billions in rural investments in clean energy manufacturing.

    6. It gives handouts to agribusiness and mega farms.

    Leaders in Congress are using the budget reconciliation process to give big farms a $50 billion windfall. Add the heightened pressures and instability caused by the Trump administration’s erratic trade policy and more family farmers would lose their farms — while Big Ag consolidates more of the market.

    In short, this bill would make it harder for rural people to meet their basic needs — all so the wealthy and corporations can avoid paying their fair share of taxes like the rest of us do.

    Lawmakers have already heard from the giant corporations who helped write the bill. Now, they need to hear from the rest of us. It’s up to us to alert our communities and tell our lawmakers: Don’t sell rural America out to big corporations and the wealthy.


    Michael Chameides is the Communications and Policy Director for the Rural Democracy Initiative. A longer version of this op-ed was originally published by Barn Raiser. This version was distributed for syndication by OtherWords.org.


    Letters to the Editor Subscribe

    Published on

    Giving it her best shot, Marquette's Jimenez misses mark to advance

    Marquette High School's Gwen Jimenez throws the shot at state
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    CHARLESTON - Marquette High School's Gwen Jimenez makes her second throw during the Class 1A shot put prelims at the IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals on Thursday. The sophomore thrower finished the day with her best throw at 30' 5.5", finishing the season 34th in the state. .::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

    Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, Ottawa Track & Field, Shot Put, Thrower, Marquette High School,

    Published on

    Sabers grab a spot into a relay championship at state

    St. Thomas More's Alyson Clements runs 4x400 anchor
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    CHARLESTON - St. Thomas More's Alyson Clements starts out on her leg of 4x400m relay ahead of Lila Coleman in Thursday's prelims at the IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals. Clements, along with teammates Taylor Wells, Francie Williamson, and Alex Anderson, finished premlims with the ninth best time at 4:12.21, advancing to Saturday's title race in Class 1A. .::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

    Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports

    Published on

    Ashtyn Lazzell gave it her best shot, sophomore comes up short

    Rushville-Industry high jumper Ashtyn Lazzell tries to clear the bar
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    CHARLESTON - Rushville-Industry high jumper Ashtyn Lazzell tries to clear the bar on her second attempt during the preliminary round at the Illinois High School Association Girls Track & Field State Finals on Thursday. Giving her all, Lazzell failed to advance to Saturday's finals. Despite her performance on a fall-like day at O'Brien Stadium, the sophomore has two more years to win a prep state title. .::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

    Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, High Jump, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports

    Published on
    Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)

    Editor's Choice

    SJO Pep Band keeps State Farm Center hoppin'

    St. Joseph-Ogden Keeping the atmosphere exciting and electric, the St. Joseph-Ogden Pep ban performed Friday night at the IHSA Boys Basketb...

    More Sentinel Stories