2026 Pre-Season Track & Field Previews: 1A Girls Teams
- Carson Vittorio
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
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 consistent and objective foundation for these preseason projections. While much will change once the season begins, these rankings highlight the depth, returning talent, and championship potential that define the early landscape of Illinois track and field in 2026.
Effingham (St. Anthony)
Potential State Scorers:
Reese Hoene (So.) - 100m, 200m, 400m, Long Jump
Aubrey Denning (Jr.) - 800m, 1600m
Isabella Keller (Jr.) - 1600m, 3200m
Liv Hoene (Sr.) - 100H, 300H, Pole Vault
4x100m
4x200m
4x400m
Cara Hatton (Jr.) - High Jump
Nashville
Potential State Scorers:
Adelie Wilson (Sr.) - 400m, 800m
Emma Behrmann (Sr.) - 100H, 300H, Long Jump, Triple Jump
4x100m
4x200m
4x400m
Makayla Gajewski (Jr.) - Shot Put, Discus
Austi Gale (Sr.) - Discus
Belle Schmale (Sr.) - High Jump
Samantha Brinkmann (Jr.) - Long Jump
Maroa-Forsyth
Potential State Scorers:
Madison Yazel (So.) - 100m, 200m
Katherine Nilles (Jr.) - 200m, 100H, 300H
Klaire Eighner (Sr.) - 1600m, 3200m
4x100m
4x200m
Zion Young (Jr.) - Shot Put, Discus
Morgan Woolum (Sr.) - Triple Jump
El Paso-Gridley
Potential State Scorers:
Jaida Reed (Jr.) - 100m, 200m
Haven Miller (Jr.) - 800m
Keyli Cogdal (Sr.) - 100H, 300H
4x100m
4x200m
4x400m
4x800m
Kiana Mayne (Jr.) - Pole Vault
Lowpoint-Washburn
Potential State Scorers:
Carly Ulrich (So.) - 200m, High Jump, Triple Jump
Brianna Harms (Sr.) - 200m, 100H, 300H, High Jump
Ellison Heineke (Sr.) - 3200m
Reese Cargill (Sr.) - 100H, 300H
4x200m
Marshall
Potential State Scorers:
Madeleine Fox (Jr.) - 400m, 800m, 1600m
Molly Farrell (Sr.) - 1600m, 3200m
4x400m
4x800m
Ella Mattas (Sr.) - Shot Put
Cambridge
Potential State Scorers:
Emily Downing (Sr.) - 800m, 1600m
Jana Vande Kemp (Jr.) - 800m, 1600m, 3200m
4x800m
Ellie Doubet (Sr.) - Discus
Henry-Senachwine
Potential State Scorers:
Daniella Bumber (Sr.) - 100m, 200m, 400m
4x100m
4x200m
Taylor Frawley (Sr.) - Long Jump
Mendon (Unity)
Potential State Scorers:
Saylor Barry (Sr.) - 100m, 200m, Long Jump
Wilmington
Potential State Scorers:
McKenna Van Tilburg (So.) - 100m, 200m, 100H, 300H
4x100m
