2026 Track & Field: Breakout Performance Of The Week Voting

Sebastian Carlos - Mendota

Mendota Co-Ed 200m 22.74

Although most Friday meets are filled with laidback competition and fun, some choose to have one of the best races of their lives. This is exactly what Sebastian Carlos did. Running 3 events, the 200m was his last, but best race. Dropping a huge 22.74 in the beginning of outdoor is a great look for him. Smoking his competitors by over 2 seconds also shows that Carlos is here to win at all costs. We can expect him to keep making moves up the rankings throughout the rest of the season.

Isaiah Engle - Moline

Gene Shipley 800m 1:56.89

In recent years, Isaiah Engle has been only running outdoor track. Now, this might leave him at a disadvantage, but clearly he is here to dominate. Dropping a 1:56 pretty much alone in his heat is a huge feat. Not to mention, his best before this year was a 1:59. Opening with a 3 second PR is a major accomplishment. However, the job is not done for Engle if he wishes to be a competitor come late May. But, don’t be surprised to see him compete on the Blue Track.

Hugo Ayala - Chicago Lane

Lane Tech Co-Ed 3200m 9:22.3

Although not running many races, Hugo Ayala sure is one crazy runner. Coming into this season, he avoided the 3200m indoors with his 9:45 best from last year. I guess all he needed was some fresh air as his first race outdoors resulted in a blazing 9:22. He has the potential to be a huge threat to the other distance runners throughout Illinois. This year truly has been a product of great distance runners, and Ayala jumps right up on that ongoing list.

TJ Cason - Belleville West

O’Fallon Boys Relays Long Jump 23’ 9”

Coming out of absolutely nowhere, TJ Cason dominates the Long Jump last Friday with a crazy 23’ 9”. With no prior experience listed, this is an impressive way to get your name out there. Without a doubt Cason will be a huge competitor the rest of the season. You can expect him to be fighting for a State medal come late May. However, this will only be possible if his training continues to pay off. Watch out for the name Cason as there’s a good chance he is here to stay.

Caylie Ahten - Washington

Pekin Lady Dragon Relays 1600m 5:16.56

So, in an odd format, Caylie Ahten raced a 1600m, where her time was combined with her teammates to have a 4x1600mR time. With this huge advantage of really racing teammates you train with all year, Ahten did not hesitate to go crazy. Dropping 10 seconds off of her PR, she stayed right on the shoulder of her teammate to both drop an IL Top 10 outdoor performance. Ahten can continue to make progress throughout the season and jump even more on those rankings. It will be fun to see her and her teammate battle it out for that #1 Washington miler.

Joslyn Springman - Edwardsville

Lady Maroon Invite 100m 12.11

Joslyn Springman has always been a supportive teammate in the fact that you can count on her to throw down some impressive relay splits. But, this year she is really starting to make a name for herself. Although dominating the sprints at IL Top Times, she has proven now that she is one of the best in the state by herself. Dropping a solid 12.11 in a stacked field shows that she’s hungry for an IHSA State Medal and this is going to be her chance to earn it. 

Mascoutah 4x200mR

Lady Maroon Invite 1:44.83

Mascoutah has been showing up with some really good sprint talent the past couple of years. They’ve been in the mix before, but this race really soldified this as their year. Dropping a whopping 3 seconds of their 4x200mR time from IL Top Times and State last year is very impressive in April. This squad consisting of Jaden Powers, Amiyah Fair, Baila Finlay, and Caitlin Jackson is definitely the team Mascoutah is going to need to finally claim that State medal come May, missing out just barely last year.

Kilee Hoover - Litchfield

Litchfield Tri Meet High Jump 5’ 3.75”

Even with this meet getting canceled early, Kilee Hoover was still able to dominate the competition alone. Hoover is not new to high jump, as she did make State last year. However, with it only being her freshmen year it was more exposure for her. Now, she is showing that this year is her time to claim that State Medal. Consistenting jumping around 5’ 3” this year, while dropping off 3 inches from her previous year’s PR, Hoover is looking like a solid competitor in the high jump arena.