Galesburg girls tracksters ready for state meet. Find out who is going in what events here

GALESBURG — Members of Galesburg High School's girls track and field team will compete in five events in Friday's Class 2A prelims at the Illinois High School Association's state meet. 

They'll do so on the blue running surface at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston with the hope of advancing to Saturday's finals, and none of the student-athletes competing at O'Brien Field will have to deal with any COVID-19 restrictions. They have the past two seasons.

"We've got the potential to send some events to Saturday and of course that's always the goal," Galesburg girls track coach Jody Chapman said. "They really motivate each other. I really like how this team has worked together and the chemistry of them. They kind of push each other. They work hard together."

Two Streaks taking part in 200

Sophomore Syriah Boyd and senior Kaylee Allen will both represent the Silver Streaks in the 200-meter dash. Boyd holds the 12th seed in the event (26.12 seconds) while Allen is seeded 13th (26.14). Peoria Richwoods freshman Lena Jackson is the No. 1 seed in the 200 (25.33). 

Allen plans to major in nursing, run at SIUE 

Allen, who will continue her running career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Boyd have competed against each other back-and-forth all season in the 200. It's made them both better.

"They both deserve (to go to state)," Chapman said of Allen and Boyd. "They've really pushed each other this season to help get their times down. Syriah has won a couple times. Kaylee's won a couple times. It really kind of pushes them and motivates them to keep working.

"You know, you can't go to the line and say 'I'm going to take the last 10 meters easy,' which they don't do," Chapman added. 

Morales repping Galesburg in 400

Galesburg senior Ava Morales will compete in the 400 in Friday's prelims and is the 10th seed in the event (59.71). Kankakee freshman Naomi Bey-Osborne is seeded first (57.83) in the 400. 

Morales has taken part in the 400 twice this spring. It's because the 4x2 relay comes right after the 400. 

"I thought it was a sacrifice I had to make for my team and for myself," Morales said. "I just focused on the opportunity to do both."

In her coaching career, Chapman hasn't let many Streaks run the 400 and 4x2 back-to-back.

"I gave her the reasons why I was concerned about doing both but she's also probably one of the strongest people — speed and endurance — overall that I've had," Chapman said of Morales. "You just don't underestimate her."

Along with the 4x2, Morales is a member of Galesburg's 4x1 and 4x4 squads, and the 18-year-old sets a good example. 

"There's just so many things I could say about Ava and what she brings to our team," Chapman said. "She is kind of the silent leader. She'll say what needs to be said. She calls it what it is when maybe somebody is out of line but like I said they get along very well.

"She's very respected," Chapman added of Morales. "She's been a solid, a solid competitor for four years."

Morales, who plans to attend Carl Sandburg College and eventually become a nurse, enjoys her role.

"I feel like I really help the girls to push as hard as they can because sometimes it's hard to stay motivated," Morales said.

Three Streaks relay teams earn bid

Allen, Boyd, Morales and junior Emma Wilson will join forces for the Streaks' 4x1 meter relay team, and they hold the ninth seed in the event (49.95). Kankakee is seeded atop the field of 22 in the 4x1 with a time of 47.89. 

Junior Taylor Raska, Allen, Boyd and Morales will make up Galesburg's 4x2 squad. They're seeded third in the event (1:44.83), and Richwoods holds the top seed (1:43.63) in the 4x2.

"The 4x2 I'm feeling really good," Morales said. "We're ranked No. 3 and I think if we just keep doing what we've been doing we're going to do great at state. I'm just real excited to see how we do."

There's 23 entries for the 4x4, and junior Bri Admire, Allen, Boyd and Morales will team up for the event, and the quartet holds the 16th seed (4:13.62). Normal U-High is the No. 1 seed in the 4x4 (4:02.30). 

The Top 9 finishers in the state finals will secure a medal. As Chapman points out, anything can happen in Charleston. 

"Some will go faster and some will go slower. You just hope that you go down there and do your best," Chapman said. "Whatever happens, happens. I know they'll give me all they've got. That's the way they are. 

"I think their success stems from the fact they don't want to let each other down, and they just work hard for the coaches, each other."

Mon-Rose thrower also makes state

Last spring, Monmouth-Roseville's Ryley Huston advanced to the state meet in the shot put. She's since graduated but her sister, Carmyn, is only a sophomore, and she will rep the Titans in the discus and shot in Friday's 2A state prelims. 

Carmyn Huston is seeded ninth in the shot (11.55 meters), and she holds the 13th seed in discus (35.20). 

Carbondale junior Madyson Swope is the No. 1 seed in discus (40.22), and Rockford Boylan Catholic junior Madelyn Bishop is the top seed in the shot (12.71).

Matthew Wheaton can be reached at (309) 315-6073 or at mwheaton@register-mail.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewlwheaton