Here are this week’s candidates for the Trinity Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Taylorville Prime Time Performer.
You can vote once every 12 hours until the polls close on Friday at 5 p.m.
The winner will receive a $20 gift card to Dublin Pub.
Gift cards will be mailed to the school office at the end of each month.
Something a little different this week. We shine a light on the individual and relay champions from the Illinois Top Times meet along with some words from their coaches.
Highlights of the champions from the 2A Top Times meet HERE, the 2A podium finishers HERE and a full list of result from local athletes HERE.
Auburn Boys 4×400 Relay – The Auburn 4×400 team won the 1A Top Times title last season and won again this year with three returners. Hunter Piper, James Baisden and Jacob Barth were all a part of the team last year and with the addition of Sam Talavera this season they picked up the win in 3:25.97. Head Coach Dave Giammarrusco shared, “These young men started the day with a goal in mind and not only met but surpassed the goal with their hard work and determination they’ve put into this season. I’m proud of them and excited to see where we go from here.”
Klaire Eighner (Maroa Forsyth Girls Track & Field) The Michigan State commit continues to pick up wins with a victory in the 1A 3200 meter at the Illinois Top Times meet on Saturday. Eighner picked up the win in 10:47.55. She also finished third in the 1600 meter. Maroa Forsyth Track & Field Coach Josh Jostes says Eighner is “a kid who earns every win she gets! Lives Maroa Forsyth track year-round!”
Ali Londrigan (Glenwood Girls Track & Field) Londrigan has been breaking her own school records all indoor season and ended the season with two indoor state titles at the Illinois Top Times meet. Londrigan won both the 3A 1600 meter in 5:01.56 and the 3200 meter in 10:51.54. Coach Mike Garber said, “Ali has been training well these last few weeks. She raced really well and set herself up to compete with the best. I’m looking forward to her progress as we move into outdoor season.”
Colton Maltby (Rochester Boys Track & Field) Rochester brought home two Illinois Top Time champions and Maltby was one as he won shot put in 2A with a throw of 18.12 meters. Head Coach Matt Blaise said, “Colton is atop a very deep and talented throws group for the Rockets that claimed 3 of the 18 spots at Illinois Top Times-2A. Colton’s blend of deceptive power and explosiveness gives him the tools to do what he did on Saturday. Which was become the first Rochester Rocket to win an indoor title in shot put and reset his own indoor school record – 59’5.5 (previous mark was 58’10). He is a hard worker and competes each day against our other guys. That event group is coached by Andrew McGhghy who has led that group to be one of the best in the state. Saturday was the jumping off point for Colton and our whole team as we head into the outdoor season.”
Normal U-High Girls 4×400 Relay– The Pioneers won the 3A 4×400 relay on Saturday at the Illinois Top Times championships. The team of Aditi Chander, Caty Minton, Scout Minnaert and Abigail Jackson took the win in 3:57.39. Coach Randy Anderson adds, “Amazing group of girls. We have been flanked with a few injuries this year, so we still don’t have that group of kids running at 100 percent. It’s going to be super exciting as a head coach to see what these ladies can accomplish this year.”
Pleasant Plains Boys 4×200 Relay – The Cardinals team of Nathan Frey, Kadyn Harmony, Judah Estill and Braylon Heredith brought home a 1A Top Times title in the 4×200 relay on Friday. The team won with a time of 1:34.10. Head Coach Ryan Stark said, “I can’t even begin to describe how incredibly proud I am of that entire squad. Those four have worked hard all year to fine tune and perfect the 4×200, from hand offs to their individual legs. As young as they are, they race like professionals and we are looking forward to seeing how much faster they can be outdoors!”
Sacred Heart Griffin Girls 4×200 Relay – The Cyclones have a 2A Top Times championship relay as the team of Antonette Bartletti, Rourke Gibbs, Gianna Bonasinga and Abigail Gossett picked up the win in the 1:46.83. Coach Mike McDonald said “It was very exciting. They’ve been good all year but ran their best time of the year at the biggest meet of the year.”
Hannah Safranek (Normal U-High Girls Track & Field) The Pioneers make the jump to 3A this season, but it didn’t stop Safranek from having success at the Illinois Top Times meet on Saturday. The junior picked up a win in the 3A 60 meter in 7.58 seconds. Head Coach Randy Anderson said “Hannah is having a breakout season. Every goal I’ve set out for her she’s achieved it during the indoor season and we’re super excited to see what happens outdoors.”
Larry Wills (Glenwood Boys Track & Field) Last season Wills finished second at the Illinois Top Times meet and this year he was the champ. The senior picked up the win in triple jump with a jump of 7.21 meters. Coach Mike Ranos said, “Larry is a remarkable athlete whose hard work and dedication is matched by few. Watching Larry jump is truly electric for anyone lucky enough to see.”
Zion Young (Maroa Forsyth Girls Track & Field) She picked up an indoor conference title last weekend and earned a first-place finish at the Illinois Top Times meet this weekend. Young won the Sangamo meet with a throw of 42 feet, 4.25 inches. While she won the 1A state indoor meet with a throw of 42 feet, 0.5 inches. Maroa Forsyth Track & Field Coach Josh Jostes says Young is “a kid who earns every win she gets! Lives Maroa Forsyth track year-round!”
Peyton Zeidler (Rochester Girls Track & Field) This junior is off to a good start to the season as she picked up the title at the Top Times meet on Saturday. Zeidler won the 2A triple jump on a tie breaker with a jump of 11 meters. Zeidler’s coach Alex Hafliger shared, “As a coach, your focus is always on helping the athlete get better, but every once in a while, you get the chance to work with someone who genuinely makes you a better coach too, and Peyton is one of those rare athletes. She’s the most determined athlete I’ve ever coached, and time after time, she rises to the occasion and meets the moment. She’s an outstanding competitor, but even more importantly, she’s humble, coachable, and carries herself with a level of character that lifts everybody around her up with her.”
