The Illinois High School Association Girls State Track and Field Meet steps off Friday, with three Coalers—Maddie Castle, Ella Wills and Evelyn Wills —aiming to make their mark among the state’s top athletes.
“This is the most girls we have ever sent to 2A state,” Coalers coach Colin Keppner said at a send off ceremony on Thursday morning.
Each of the athletes had a strong showing in a tough sectional competition that included the 2024 state championship team. “It wasn’t just the best sectional in 2A it was the best sectional in the entire state, so the fact that these girls made it out in that sectional is a testament to how hard they worked all season long,” Keppner said.
As a result of their work ethic and drive this trio of athletes set personal records this season that put them within state qualifying marks.
Keppner explained the state qualifying marks are set based on an average of the previous five years, “so the top 12 at state average out at five years, and these girls hit or passed that mark,” he said.
Maddie Castle is making her first trip to IHSA State and will compete in the 300 meter hurdles. Her qualifying time was 48.36—her personal record so far this season. She also competed in the 100 meter hurdles at the sectional falling just .06 away from hitting the qualifying mark in which nine athletes advanced to state, “that’s how tough this sectional was,” Keppner said.
Maddie, the frosh/soph record holder in the 300 meter hurdles, is slated to run in the fourth of five heats on Friday. The winner in each heat will advance, as will the athletes with the top four times.
“It’s going to be tough for Maddie, but I have never known a fighter quite like Maddie. The furry she had after the 100 where she didn’t quite make it, I think it is going to serve her well tomorrow,” Keppner said.
Ella Wills, Coal City High School’s record holder in long jump, is making her second trip to state. At the sectional she recorded a jump of 17’ 4.25” placing her third at that meet. “That mark places her high up in the state,” Keppner said. In fact, Ella is currently seeded 16th in a field of 49. She will begin competition on Friday morning.
Ella is the school’s first state medalist at the 2A level having placed 9th in triple jump at the 2024 State Track and Field Finals.
Evelyn Wills is the frosh/soph high jump record holder and two time state qualifier. “She has hit 5’ 1” every single year and we are hoping tomorrow we can get her to that next height which is what she will need to do to advance,” Keppner said. Evelyn heads into the state meet seeded 13th in a field of 37 jumpers. “We’ve been starting Evelyn at the high heights all year long because at state you start right at that PR mark. Her challenge is to get top 12 to make it onto Saturday. There are 10 girls coming in with PRs higher than her and there are 22 girls who are matching her, so for those last two spots or any of the top [spots] she is going to have to PR tomorrow. Evelyn is uniquely prepared and we think she can do it,” Keppner said.
Evelyn is in the first flight of the day, so she will be jumping around 8:30 Friday morning.
The IHSA State Track and Field Meet is held at O’Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Coaler fans planning on attending can purchase tickets in advance HERE