Grace Nelson Is State Champion, Area Girls Track Roundup

CHARLESTON -- Atlamont High School's Grace Nelson is a Class 1A state champion.

The freshman won the 300 hurdles with a time of 44.41 seconds at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium Thursday.

Not only did she have a first place finish but finished second in the 100 hurdles in 14.86 seconds just a tick behind winner Gracie Jessup  of Catlin Salt Fork in 14.81. Nelson also competed in the 200 where she finished eighth in 26.40 seconds.

Area competitors did well at the State Meet along with Nelson. Teutopolis High School's Isabelle Hemmen finished second in the pole vault with a height of 11 feet, 4 1/2 inches while Newton's 1600 relay team of Rylea Borgic, Madison Phillips, Laney Hemrich and Whitney Zumbahlen placed third with a time of 4:16.42 minutes.

Zumbahlen claimed sixth place in the 400 in 1:00.18 minutes. T-town's Kaitlyn Vahling finished seventh in the 200 in 26.32 seconds and was eighth in the 100 in 12.66.

There were several 10th place finishes as Allison Geen took 10th in the pole vault at 10 feet, 5 1/2 inches. Laney Hemrich finished 10th in the 400 in 1:00.62 minutes.

Other finishes were Brownstown/St. Elmo/s Addie McWhorter 13th in the high jump at 4 feet, 11 3/4 inches; Alexis Hetzer of Newton 15th in the triple jump at 32 feet, 7 inches, St. Anthony's Sydney Kibler 19th in the discus with a throw of 96 feet, 9 1/2 inches, Newton's Amber Russell 19th in the shot with a heave of 33 feet, 5 inches, Zumbahlen 20th in the long jump at 15 feet, 11 inches and Grace Smithenry 22nd in the high jump at 4 feet, 9 3/4 inches