Freshman Keller Claims First, Second at Girls State Track Meet

St. Anthony's freshman sensation Anna Sophia Keller captured the state championship in the 1600 meter run and took second place honors in the 3200 meter run to highlight the final day of the Girls State Track and Field Meet Saturday at Eastern Illinois University.

Keller won the 1600 with a winning time of 5:01.02, 66-hundredths of a second better than the second place finisher, but more than seven seconds better than the third place finisher.

Keller finished second in the 3200 in 10:22.16, two and a half seconds behind the champion, who is a senior, but 45 seconds ahead of the third place finisher.

St. Anthony also got a second place finish from Kristin Slaughter in the pole vault.  Slaughter, also a freshman, cleared 11 feet, six inches.

St. Anthony tied for sixth at the meet with 26 points.

Teutopolis got a fourth place finish from Rachel Westendorf in the pole vault.  The junior cleared 11 feet, three inches.  The Shoes' 3200 meter relay team of Michelle Schmidt, Emma Repking, Elena Breer and Megan Weichman finished 12th in 10:27.93.  

Newton's 800 meter relay team of McKendra Barthelme, Taylor Johnson, Madison Kinder and Hannah Litzelman finished fourth in 1:45.44.  Barthelme finished sixth in the 110 meter hurdles in :15.7, and 10th in the long jump at 16 feet, 9-3/4 feet.  Litzelman finished ninth in the 200 in :26.42.  

Neoga's Olivia Ott finished sixth in the long jump at 17 feet, 5-1/2 inches, Taylor Rich of Neoga finished 12th in the triple jump at 34 feet, eight inches, Courtney Croy of Neoga finished eighth in the long jump at 17 feet, 2-1/2 inches, and Neoga's 800 meter relay team of Croy, Jaycie Roy, Mallori Harshman and Ott finished sixth in 1:46.47.  

Newton tied for 28th place with 11 points, Neoga tied for 34th place with 10 points, and Teutopolis tied for 44th place with six points.