Pair of small-school athletes make state
Two local athletes have qualified for the Illinois High School Association Class A state track meet after placing at the Newton Sectional on Friday.
St. Elmo junior Molly Hill became a three-time state qualifier in the discus throw, after advancing with a sectional-winning throw of 101 feet, 6 inches.
She placed seventh in the state last season, with 116 feet, 2 inches. The top seed for state this season is 135 feet, 2 inches.
The first of four flights of discus throws begins at 1:10 p.m. on Thursday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
Patoka freshman Taylor Issak will make her first state appearance after placing second in the 300-meter hurdles, with a time of 47.96 seconds.
Her time is the 11th fastest sectional time among qualifiers.
The 300-meter hurdle preliminaries are scheduled to begin at about 1:32 p.m.
The state finals will be held on Saturday.
