Highland girls track takes fourth place at Mississippi Valley Conference championships

The Highland girls track team left the Mississippi Valley Conference track championships Thursday, May 4, with a solid feeling of accomplishment.

HHS traveled to Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto and had a satisfying outing, placing fourth overall in the team standings with 91 points.

Mascoutah won the title with 166.5 points, followed by Triad (104 points), Waterloo (102 points), Highland, Civic Memorial (56 points) and Jerseyville (34.5 points).

“Overall, we placed fourth and had several state qualifying times and distances,” Highland coach Nick Schaible said. “We are looking forward to tighter competition next week at sectionals.”

In the relay events, Highland took second in the 4x200 relay as Emma Henschen, Maya Pollard, Lauren Maas and Sophia Thomas set a new season record with a time of 1:52.76.

Highland’s 4x400 relay team of Frey, Aly Pace, Maas, and Thomas did as well with a state qualifying time of 4:12.

Frey also was strong in the 800 and 400 meters as she won the 800 with a 2:24 time and ran the 400 in 61 seconds. Pace placed fifth in the 400 (64 seconds).

Larissa Taylor and Kylee Sowers, meanwhile, led the way in the field events for HHS. Taylor paced first in the shot and discus with throws of 33.45 feet and 98.5 feet, respectively. Sowers placed second in the shot with a throw of 31.85 feet.

In the triple jump, Cheyenne Choat had a good day, placing third with a leap of 31.85 feet.

Schaible praised his club’s efforts and their recent progress.

“This is an immensely talented group of girls and I’m excited to see their ties improve these last couple of meets, Schaible said.

As the Bulldogs enter the IHSA Class 2A sectional meet at Civic Memorial on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13, Schaible believes the Bulldogs 4x400 relay, Frey in the 800 meters, Maddie Dortch in the 3,200-meter run, Taylor in the shot and discus, Sowers on the shot and Maas in the high jump have the best shot at making the cut for the IHSA Class 2A state meet.

State competition takes place Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, in Charleston at Eastern Illinois University.

“I’m confident they will do even better at sectionals,” Schaible said. “They really do better under pressure and when there’s less time in their own heads. At a fast-paced meet like sectionals, they will be too busy to get nervous and the added adrenaline will give them a nice boost.”

This story was originally published May 5, 2023 at 12:02 AM.