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The Illinois high school track season continues to deliver elite sprinting talent, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the 200 meters across each classification represent the very best the state has to offer. From Class 1A through Class 3A, these athletes have separated themselves with powerful curve running, exceptional closing speed, and consistency on the biggest stages. Whether emerging stars or proven championship contenders, each runner on this list has posted standout perf

The Illinois high school track season has produced another electrifying group of sprinters, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the 200 meters across Classes 1A through 3A showcase the fastest talent in the state. Blending speed, strength, and technical precision around the curve, these athletes have delivered standout performances that have defined the competitive landscape of the 200 m this season. From breakout underclassmen to seasoned title contenders, each runner on this lis

The 2025 Track and Field Season was a wild one for the girls 100m. We saw an insane jump in the caliber of the field that the state meet produced. We enter this year with a total of 19 of the 27 all-staters returning which makes this year look to improve on the massive improvements that last year started. These rankings are based on multiple factors including PRs, consistency, state placement, and national placement. Only data from the 2025 Track & Field season are used in th

The Illinois high school track season has once again showcased a remarkable group of sprinters, and these Top 10 ranked boys in the 100 meters represent the fastest and most exciting talent across each classification. From explosive starts to electric top-end speed, these athletes have defined the sprinting landscape in the state with performances that have electrified fans and rivals alike. This list highlights the elite competitors in Class 1A through Class 3A, celebrating

Lets check out who are the top entries for the CYUP Misfits Invite! The registration deadline is rapidly approaching and its your time to signup for this great meet! MEET REGISTRATION DISTANCE GIRLS SUNNY WEBER 1600m - 4:41.90 3200m - 9:59.16 ELLIE BARADA 800m - 2:03.95 1600m - 4:42.08 ANNIKA SWAN 800m - 2:10.08 1600m - 4:42.56 ELIZA SCHAWSS 800m - 2:08.54 MILE - 4:44.88 CHARLEE GALL 800m - 2:15.39 1500m - 4:29.87 ALI LONDRIGAN 1600m - 4:52.49 3200m - 10:40.99 ELISE HAGEN 160

Last year, we introduced a fan-driven vote to recognize standout performances and achievements from the cross country season, giving athletes, teams, and moments the spotlight they deserved. The response was tremendous, with passionate support pouring in from across the state to help determine the winners of multiple awards. Now, we’re excited to bring these honors back for a second year and continue celebrating the incredible talent and dedication within the cross country co

The 2026 Track & Field season is just around the corner! Which means that our pre-season rankings are also just around the corner! Check out the schedule of when each preview will drop so you can check back here for your favorite events and athletes to be mentioned! January 5th - 100m January 6th - 200m January 7th - 400m January 8th - 800m January 9th - 1600m January 10th - 3200m January 12th - 100H/110H January 13th - 300H January 14th - 4x100m January 15th - 4x200m January

Ever want to help support the Illinois Running News brand and wear the logos of your favorite Cross Country/Track & Field website? You can do so now by ordering your own Illinois Running News apparel! The money will go to helping support Illinois Running News in buying better equipment to cover the sports in better ways! HERE

The CYUP Misfits Invite has quickly carved out an elite legacy, transforming from an ambitious indoor meet into one of the premier showcases of high school and middle school talent in the Midwest. Year after year, the meet delivers national-caliber performances, drawing top athletes who aren’t afraid to chase fast times in a high-energy, championship-style atmosphere. Records have fallen, stars have emerged, and the Misfits Invite has earned a reputation as the place where r

In case you missed our press release for Pack Media, check it out HERE ! Pack Media is looking to hire helpers for 2026 as they start up. There is a few different ways to help. 1) Taking videos at Track & Field meets - Going to Track & Field meets in the chicagoland area and uploading them immediately. You will be supplied with the materials needed to conduct this. 2) Helping with our Meet of The Week Production - Going to our Meet Of The Week productions and helping produc

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The Misfits Invite is starting to heat up as entries continue to flow in for this event that is set to take place in late January! This past week the standards for the Tracksmith Elite Athletes was revealed! Athletes reaching the standards below are eligible for a Tracksmith Kit. However, since the number of kits is limited, we encourage early registration and payment. By doing so, you increase your chances of securing a Tracksmith Kit, as priority will be given to those who

Pack Media Launches to Revolutionize Cross Country and Track & Field Coverage By Chris Quick and Carson Vittorio November 18, 2025 Palatine, IL — A new era of coverage for cross country and track & field is here. Pack Media , a collaborative venture between Palatine Pack Timing and Illinois Running News , is proud to announce its official launch, bringing free, high quality live streaming and on site coverage to meets across Illinois and beyond. Pack Media’s mission is simp

The IHSA state series is designed to pit the strongest runners against each other to see who is truly a state champion. Teams will go through regionals and sectionals to make it to the state meet in hopes to come out with a trophy or a title. Obviously, whenever you get a championship bracket, no matter what sport you play, there is going to be inequity. Some sectionals will be harder than others, it’s just the way that the cookie crumbles. The IHSA has stated, time and time

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This past season we posted voting for the best performance of each week. Now that the season has come to an end, it is time to reveal who won our Illinois Running News Bucket Hat. Congratulations to Evan Thompson of Edwardsville Liberty on his victory after accumulating 1910 votes during the Week 7 voting. Evan, please reach out to IllinoisRunningNews@gmail.com to claim your prize! High School Boys Week 1: Max Weber (Civic Memorial) [813 votes] Week 2: Jesse Gudauskas (Nap

With the end of the cross country season on the horizon, the national qualifying meet is this week and we’re your guide to the Midwest Region! This is one of the hardest regions to qualify out of every single year, so we’re going to get an electric showdown on both sides. Individually, some of the best names in the country will face off at Terre Haute, and we will break down the top ten individuals right here! Girls Individuals Natasza Dudek (So., Ann Arbor [Pioneer] [MI]) Sh

The CYUP Misfits Invite over the last 5 years has produced some of the best performances in the nation over the past few years. This year the meet will have a new sponsor in the fold as Tracksmith takes over as the meets title sponsor. " Tracksmith is an independent running brand. We honor the Amateur Spirit upon which the sport was founded and champion the Running Class – the non-professional yet competitive runners dedicated to the pursuit of personal excellence. We offe

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