2026 Pre-Season Track & Field Previews: Girls 400m
- Carson Vittorio
- Jan 7
- 3 min read

The Illinois high school track season has featured outstanding performances in the 400 meters, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the 400 m across Classes 1A through 3A represent the state’s most dynamic quarter-milers. These athletes have combined speed, endurance, and strategic racing to post standout times and consistently compete at the highest level. From emerging talents to seasoned leaders, each runner on this list has earned her place through determination and excellence on the track. Together, they showcase the depth, competitiveness, and bright future of girls 400 m racing in Illinois high school track and field.
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 these rankings. No performances from cross country or 2026 has been included.
3A
Mariyah Robinson (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor)
PR - 53.55
State Champion at IHSA 3A State Meet
Lockport Sectional Champion
SWSC Conference Champion
SWSC Indoor Conference Champion
Alaina Steele (Jr., Frankfort [Lincoln-Way East])
PR - 54.53
3rd at IHSA 3A State Meet
Runner-Up at Illinois Indoor Championships
Lyric Jones (So., Belleville East)
PR - 55.41
5th at IHSA 3A State Meet
Rayna Raglin (Sr., Alton)
PR - 55.39
5th at USATF Junior Olympics
USATF Ozark Champion
Brie Noel (So., Evanston)
PR - 55.85
Under Armour Sprinters Twilight Champion
6th at IHSA 3A State Meet
Glenbrook South Sectional Champion
CSL-South Conference Champion
Briyah Beatty (Sr., Plainfield East)
PR - 56.41
40th at AAU Junior Olympics
AAU Region 14 Champion
AAU Central District Champion
7th at IHSA 3A State Meet
Abigail Jackson (Jr., Normal University)
PR - 56.37
11th at IHSA 3A State Meet
Bloomington Sectional Champion
Big 12 Indoor Conference Champion
Kennedy Ruff (Sr., Darien [Hinsdale South])
PR - 56.70
Runner-Up at Under Armour Sprinters Twilight
WSC-Gold Indoor Conference Champion
Jaydah Green (Sr., Peoria [Richwoods])
PR - 57.25
9th at IHSA 3A State Meet
Hazel Nadal (Jr., Rolling Meadows)
PR - 57.21
10th at IHSA 3A State Meet
Rolling Meadows Sectional Champion
MSL Conference Champion
Nagel-Saylor Indoor Conference Champion
2A
Madalyn Marx (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour)
PR - 55.88
7th at USATF Junior Olympics
USATF Region 7 Champion
USATF Illinois Champion
State Champion at IHSA 2A State Meet
Pontiac Sectional Champion
Apollo Conference Champion
44th at New Balance Indoor Nationals
Illinois Top Times Champion
Mickaylee Patton (Jr., Charleston)
PR - 57.13
5th at IHSA 2A State Meet
Monticello Sectional Champion
Jadyn Gerardi (Jr., Anna-Jonesboro)
PR - 57.22
6th at IHSA 2A State Meet
SIRR Conference Champion
Hope Klosowicz (Sr., Johnsburg)
PR - 57.83
7th at IHSA 2A State Meet
Genoa-Kingston Sectional Champion
Kishwaukee River Conference Champion
McHenry County Champion
Nyameye Maison (Sr., Morton)
PR - 57.63
11th at IHSA 2A State Meet
Mid-Illini Conference Champion
Runner-Up at Illinois Top Times
Kiara Holmes (Sr., Elmhurst [Timothy Christian])
PR - 58.57
Harper Ellermeyer (So., Murphysboro)
PR - 58.75
12th at IHSA 2A State Meet
SIRR Conference Champion
Millie Kaufman (Jr., Eureka)
PR - 58.82
13th at IHSA 2A State Meet
HOI Conference Champion
Sydnie Becker (So., West Chicago [Wheaton Academy])
PR - 58.86
14th at IHSA 2A State Meet
Chicagoland Christian Conference Champion
Dallyce Harrell (Sr., Chicago [F.W. Parker])
PR - 58.96
17th at IHSA 2A State Meet
1A
Daniella Bumber (Sr., Henry-Senachwine)
PR - 56.18
3rd at IHSA 1A State Meet
Mercer County Sectional Champion
Tri-County Conference Champion
Illinois Top Times Champion
Reese Hoene (So., Effingham [St. Anthony])
PR - 57.26
21st at USATF Junior Olympics
USATF Region 7 Champion
USATF Illinois Champion
4th at IHSA 1A State Meet
Newton Sectional Champion
National Trail Conference Champion
Reese Meyers (Sr., Winnetka [North Shore Country Day])
PR - 57.94
6th at IHSA 1A State Meet
Timothy Christian Sectional Champion
Lila Coleman (Sr., Seneca)
PR - 58.83
9th at IHSA 1A State Meet
Seneca Sectional Champion
Alena Graham (Fr., Mt. Olive)
PR - 59.17
State Champion at IESA 1A State Meet
Caroline Tepe (Sr., Okawville)
PR - 1:00.10
11th at IHSA 1A State Meet
Chester Sectional Champion
Cahokia Conference Champion
Trinity Shipp (Sr., Chicago [Orr])
PR - 59.46
12th at IHSA 1A State Meet
Bree Schneiderman (Jr., Forreston)
PR - 59.27
19th at IHSA 1A State Meet
Ogle County Champion
Mia Diffenderfer (Sr., Lena-Winslow)
PR - 59.80
Josie Trossen (Fr., Downs [Tri-Valley])
PR - 1:00.29
State Champion at IESA 3A State Meet

