Area athletes are gearing up for preliminaries at the IHSA Boys State Track Meet, featuring local competitors such as Brock Wendling, Kohnor Depew, and Sam Bowers. The meet kicks off at O’Brien Stadium, with Wendling competing in Shot Put at 11:00 am, marking his third consecutive State Meet appearance. Depew returns after podium finishes last year, running the 100m and 200m heats, while Jackson makes his state debut in the 800m. The Vandalia 4x200 relay team also aims to advance for Saturday's Finals.

By the Numbers
  • Brock Wendling competes in Shot Put at 11:00 am; this is his third State Meet.
  • Kohnor Depew runs in both the 100m and 200m heats, having podiumed twice last year.
  • Sam Bowers returns to the state meet for the first time since freshman year.
Yes, But

While local athletes are well-prepared, the competition at the State Meet is fierce, with many seasoned contenders aiming for podium finishes.

State of Play
  • Events are held at O’Brien Stadium today, with qualifying athletes aiming for finals on Saturday.
  • Only the top contenders from today's heats will advance to the finals.
What's Next

Following today’s preliminaries, successful athletes will compete in Finals on Saturday, with the potential to secure medals and state titles.

Bottom Line

Local athletes have their eyes set on success at the State Meet, showcasing their hard work and determination as they compete against the best in Illinois.