Several Area Athletes Qualify for State at Boys Sectionals Thursday

Several area athletes have qualified for the Boys State Track and Field Meet next week through their performances at Sectionals on Thursday.

In 2A, two runners from Effingham High School advanced to the state meet at the Mattoon Sectional.

Junior Sean Zerrusen won the 800 meter run with a time of 1:57.24 to advance, while junior Collin Hecht advanced to State in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles in 41.87.

Effingham finished ninth at the 15-team meet with 26 points.

In 1A, several athletes qualified for State at the Lawrenceville Sectional.

St. Anthony's 4X800 meter relay team reached State in 8:52.61; and the St. Anthony 4X400 meter relay team advanced in 3:33.52. 

Newton's 4X100 meter relay team advanced in 44.72, while their 4X400 meter relay team advanced in 3:32.94.

As far as individuals, five athletes advanced to State in pole vault: Monte Wolke of Cumberland at 14' 6", Andrew McWhorter of Teutopolis at 14', Drew Kowalski of Teutopolis at 13' 6", Matthew Tolliver-Goode of Newton at 13', and Sam Wortman of St. Anthony at 13'.

Cody Riddle of Newton made State in both the shot put at 47' 2" and in discus at 142' 2". 

Jesus Flores of Altamont won the 3200 meter run in 10:20.38 to make State, while three area athletes reached State in the 110 meter high hurdles: Noah Blievernicht of Teutopolis in 15.14, Riley Drees of Teutopolis in 15.29, and Jake Volk of Newton in 15.54.

Andrew Gardewine of St. Anthony won the 800 meter run in 1:59.45 to reach State, while Joseph Stone of Newton qualified in 2:00.09. 

Andrew Gardewine also made State in the 400 meter dash, winning in 51.61. Also, Riley Drees of Teutopolis qualified for State in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles in 40.28. 

Robinson won the meet with 125 points. Here's the rest of the rundown: Newton 75, Casey-Westfield 63, Teutopolis 59, Patoka 40, St. Anthony 39, Altamont 25.5, Vandalia 25, Cumberland 23.5, Flora 23, Red Hill 16, Palestine 13, Marshall 12, Oblong 11, Lawrenceville 8.

At the 1A Sectional at Pana, Corey Kersey of Neoga qualified for another trip to State in two events.

Kersey won the long jump at 21' 1-3/4" to advance, and won the triple jump at 43' 7".

Neoga finished seventh in the 15-team meet.

The boys state meet starts next Thursday at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium in Charleston.