Several Area Girls Reach State 1A Finals

Several area girls qualified for the Class 1A State Track and Field Finals Thursday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

As far as teams are concerned, Newton's 4X200 meter relay squad of McKendra Barthelme, Brooke Koebele, Hannah Litzelman and Taylor Johnson qualified for the finals in 1:47.72. Newton's 4X400 relay team of Lexie Davidson, Emma Weber, Taylor Johnson and Hannah Litzelman also reached the finals in 4:08.11. 

As far as individuals, McKendra Barthelme of Newton and Olivia Ott of Neoga both reached the finals in Long Jump, Ott at 17' 7-1/2" and Barthelme at 17' 2-1/2". 

Olivia Ott also qualified in the triple jump at 34' 11-1/2". 

Kristin Slaughter of St. Anthony, Rachel Westendorf of Teutopolis and Hannah Bueker of Teutopolis all advanced to the finals in Pole Vault, each at 10'. 

McKendra Barthelme of Newton also advanced in the 110 Meter High Hurdles in 15.17.

Anna Sophia Keller of St. Anthony also advanced to the finals in the 1600 Meter Run in 4:59.76.  

The qualifying in the 2A State Meet begins Friday.