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As the 2026 track and field season gets underway, Illinois Running News is proud to release its preseason Team Rankings, offering an early snapshot of the programs poised to contend across the state this spring. These rankings are based strictly on performances from the 2025 outdoor season, with no results from the current indoor season included in the evaluation. Projected team scores and potential state scorers are drawn from last year’s performances, providing a consisten

As the 2026 track and field season gets underway, Illinois Running News is proud to release its preseason Team Rankings, offering an early snapshot of the programs poised to contend across the state this spring. These rankings are based strictly on performances from the 2025 outdoor season, with no results from the current indoor season included in the evaluation. Projected team scores and potential state scorers are drawn from last year’s performances, providing a consisten

As the 2026 track and field season gets underway, Illinois Running News is proud to release its preseason Team Rankings, offering an early snapshot of the programs poised to contend across the state this spring. These rankings are based strictly on performances from the 2025 outdoor season, with no results from the current indoor season included in the evaluation. Projected team scores and potential state scorers are drawn from last year’s performances, providing a consisten

As the 2026 track and field season gets underway, Illinois Running News is proud to release its preseason Team Rankings, offering an early snapshot of the programs poised to contend across the state this spring. These rankings are based strictly on performances from the 2025 outdoor season, with no results from the current indoor season included in the evaluation. Projected team scores and potential state scorers are drawn from last year’s performances, providing a consisten

The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite talent in the throwing events, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the discus across Classes 1A through 3A represent the best throwers in the state. Demanding a blend of strength, balance, timing, and technical precision, the discus consistently produces big marks and tightly contested competitions. From athletes delivering consistent series to throwers rising to the occasion with clutch attempts at championship meets, each

The Illinois high school track season has delivered outstanding performances in the throwing events, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the discus across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite talent in the state. Requiring a precise combination of strength, balance, timing, and technique, the discus often produces dramatic swings in the standings and clutch throws in championship settings. From athletes launching season-best marks to competitors who deliver when it matters m

The Illinois high school track season has featured exceptional strength and technique in the throwing events, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the shot put across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite competitors in the state. Combining raw power with refined technique and consistency in the ring, these athletes have produced some of the top marks of the season. From dominant throwers setting personal bests to competitors delivering under championship pressure, each athlet

The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite power and precision in the throwing events, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the shot put across Classes 1A through 3A represent the top strength athletes in the state. Requiring a blend of explosive power, balance, and technical execution in the ring, the shot put has produced some of the biggest marks and most competitive battles of the season. From consistent series throwers to athletes who rise under championship pre

The Illinois high school track season has showcased outstanding depth in the horizontal jumps, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the triple jump across Classes 1A through 3A represent the premier talent in the state. Demanding a precise blend of speed, power, rhythm, and technical execution, the triple jump consistently produces some of the most exciting and competitive moments of any meet. From athletes delivering consistent series to jumpers rising to the occasion on champions

The Illinois high school track season has delivered impressive performances in the horizontal jumps, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the triple jump across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite talent in the state. Combining speed, power, rhythm, and technical precision through each phase, the triple jump is one of the most demanding events in track and field. From athletes consistently posting big marks to competitors rising under pressure at championship meets, each jum

Both Pack Media and Illinois Running News are actively looking for additional help this year, offering unique opportunities for students and young professionals interested in the journalism field. While each organization operates in its own distinct way, both provide valuable hands-on experience in sports media, from event coverage and interviewing to writing, editing, and digital storytelling. These roles are ideal for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in journalis

Apologies for how late these photos were posted... We were waiting on a contributor that never submitted their content... We at Illinois Running News apologize for the lack of videos, we will make sure that this does not occur again. PHOTOS BY CARSON VITTORIO PHOTOS BY IAN ADLER

The Illinois high school track season has produced outstanding performances in the horizontal jumps, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the long jump across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite talent in the state. Requiring a powerful blend of speed, explosiveness, and technical precision on the runway, the long jump consistently delivers thrilling moments and championship-caliber marks. From athletes hitting season bests to competitors rising under pressure on the biggest

The Illinois high school track season has showcased exceptional talent in the horizontal jumps, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the long jump across Classes 1A through 3A represent the best athletes in the state. Demanding a powerful combination of speed, explosiveness, and technical precision on the runway, the long jump consistently produces big marks and dramatic moments. From consistent performers to athletes who rise to the occasion on championship stages, each jumper on

The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite talent in the pole vault, and the Top 10 ranked boys pole vaulters across Classes 1A through 3A represent the top competitors in the state. Demanding a rare combination of speed, strength, technical precision, and confidence, the pole vault often produces some of the most dramatic and memorable moments of any meet. From consistent bar clearers to athletes who rise under championship pressure, each vaulter on this list

The Illinois high school track season has featured exceptional talent in the pole vault, and the Top 10 ranked girls pole vaulters across Classes 1A through 3A represent the premier competitors in the state. Combining speed, strength, technical precision, and fearlessness, the pole vault consistently delivers some of the most exciting moments of any meet. From athletes setting new personal bests to vaulters thriving under championship pressure, each competitor on this list h

The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite talent in the vertical jumps, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the high jump across Classes 1A through 3A represent the best competitors in the state. Demanding a precise blend of athleticism, technique, and mental focus, the high jump consistently produces dramatic moments and clutch performances. From athletes clearing personal bests to jumpers rising to the occasion in championship settings, each competitor on this l

The Illinois high school track season has delivered outstanding performances in the vertical jumps, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the high jump across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite talent in the state. Requiring a combination of explosive athleticism, refined technique, and mental toughness, the high jump often produces some of the most intense and dramatic moments of any meet. From consistent bar-clearers to athletes who rise to the occasion under championship p

The Illinois high school track season has featured outstanding depth in the distance relays, and the Top 10 ranked girls 4×800-meter relay teams across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite middle-distance groups in the state. Requiring precise pacing, strength, and teamwork, the 4×800 m often produces some of the most competitive and strategic races of the season. From steady leadoffs to clutch anchor legs who thrive under pressure, each team on this list has earned its

The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite endurance and teamwork in the distance relays, and the Top 10 ranked boys 4×800-meter relay teams across Classes 1A through 3A represent the premier middle-distance depth in the state. Demanding a balance of strength, pacing, and trust between teammates, the 4×800 m often sets the tone for championship meets and produces some of the most strategic races of the season. From disciplined leadoffs to fearless anchors clos