Fulton repeats as sectional champ, Newman qualifies 8
Fulton was dominant in winning the Class 1A Rockridge Sectional by 52 points Wednesday. The Steamers scored 124 points, ahead of runner-up Cambridge (72) and third-place Bureau Valley (69 ).
Erie-Prophetstown (50) was seventh, Newman (46) tied for 8th, Amboy (36) was 11th and Morrison (7) tied for 13th.
Fulton’s state qualifiers included Miraya Pessman (100, long jump) Chloe Wilkin (100 obstacles, 300 hurdles), Grace Bray (300 difficulties), Kylie Smither (discus, shot put), Jordin Rathburn (high dive), Emery Wherry (triple dive) and Olivia Knott (triple jump).
Smither stated it was an awesome feeling to be returning to state. She struck the certifying mark on her very first throw.
“I went in 2015, and I type of left it unfinished,” she stated. “I didn’t truly feel great with how I left it, so I’m prepared to return [to state] this year.”
Fulton’s 4×100 relay of Haley Smither, Brooklyn Thoms, Paige Cramer and Pessman took first place to qualify. The exact same foursome also won the 4×200 relay.
< img alt ="Kylie Smither"src ="
https://www.shawlocal.com/resizer/xMSpGbgvadmif3Cf0So4RC__UJ8=/1440×0/filters:format (jpg): quality (70)/ cloudfront-us-east-1. images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/ENY643WTMFABXKEMD6XCHXRMBA.jpg”width =”1440″height =” 0″/ > Kylie Smither Fulton had another relay win in the 4×400 as Peighton Stretton, Jordin Rathburn, Jessa Read and Thoms took first. Read, Stretton, Breleigh Terrock-Hayton and Ellie Mulder likewise certified in the 4×800.
Newman’s Elaina Allen won the 100, 200 and operated on a second-place 4×100 relay with Ella Ford, Paizlee Williams and Lauren McClain to receive state. The very same 4 took second to qualify in the 4×200. Claire Von Holten, Brooklyn Smith, Helen Papoccia and Grace King also qualified in the 4×800.
“It feels amazing,” Allen stated of getting back to state. “Last year getting second in the 200 actually pressed me to wish to get initially this year.”
Having 8 ladies punch their tickets to state was also a good feeling for the sophomore.
“It’s just incredible to see our program grow more and more,” she said.BV freshmen Elise Home and Mya Shipp went 1-2 in the 400 to receive state. Maddie Wetzell won the 3,200 and joined Emma Mussche, Gemma Moore and Home to qualify in the 4×800.
Amboy’s Maddie Althaus certified in the 400.
E-P’s Sarah Link also received state in the 800 and ran on a state-qualifying 4×400 with Alexus Kapple, Lauren Punke and Faith Baar. Gracelyn Abell won the pole vault to receive the Panthers.
– Kevin Chlum contributed to this report.