2026 Track & Field: Breakout Performance Of The Week Voting

Nicholas Segura - Kenwood

Norm Armstrong Invite 100m 10.67

What a start to the outdoor season as Nicholas Segura drops .7 seconds off of his 100m best from last season. His indoor season was very impressive but this seals the deal on the fact that he is here to stay for the outdoor season. Being a part of an all-state 4x200m team last year, Segura breaks away as a stud individual athlete now, as he is on the hunt for another medal earned all by himself. His #5 IL currently sets him up for a masterclass season, we will just have to wait to see what unfolds.

Phillip Turner - Kankakee

Rantoul Boys Invite 200m/400m 21.75/49.67

Ladies and gentlemen, if you did not know Phillip Turner’s name previously, you sure as do now. Turner ran two incredible races last week, dropping two IL Top 10 performances in the span of a couple hours. Turner has yet to receive an all-state medal, but with these performances alone he could’ve walked out of Charleston last year with two. He is definitely capable of doing so this year, with a possible gold medal in sight for this talented athlete as well.

Belleville West 4x800mR

Norm Armstrong 7:58.18

Belleville West wins the race to break 8 first in the outdoor season and man did they earn this achievment. Being the first squad from West to break that 8-minute barrier in over 10 years for the program is an impressive feat. Although the 4x800m competition has been ramping up, this team of Jonathan Jack White, Anthony Tilman, Jackson Henderson, and Trevor Muskopf is one to keep your eye out for. Having a very balanced team, all within the 1:58 - 2:00 area, this team can easily drop off some more time and walk away with a state medal come May.

Joseph Frierdich - Carbondale

Carterville Invite Discus 191’ 9”

Now Joseph Frierdich is in his element. Throwing very solid marks in shot this winter, Frierdich was setting up pretty good for outdoor. Even his first Discus marks were impressive as they would’ve won 2A State last year. But this is on a whole new level. Somehow in 3 weeks Frierdich was able to add over 15 feet to his cannon of an arm. Not only that, but this guy is now the best discus thrower in the state of Illinois, as a sophomore! I am calling it early, Frierdich of Carbondale is going to be one of the best throwers to come out of Illinois after his four years.

Paige Zlatic - Waterloo

Triad Lady Knight 200m 24.73

After running track for a while, getting that PR becomes a little more difficult. It starts to turn into big meet PR seekers rather than the regular weekday meet that you get lucky at. Well, Paige Zlatic is a junior and is still not done improving. Not only did she break the 26 second barrier, she broke the 25 second barrier as well with her 24.73 mark this weekend. Zlatic is looking to be one of the best sprinters in the state this year, as there is a very good chance you can see her up on that podium come May if she keeps this momentum.

Victoria Tarara & Anjelica Hil - Barrington

Lincoln-Way Central Girls 3200m 10:33.85/10:33.86

Traditionally, this spot in the breakout races would go to the better athlete of the race, or both individually if they had crazy races. However, Victorai Tarara and Anjelica Hil of Barrington ran this race as if they were connected at the hip. Both dropped off so much time from their lifetime best with Tarara dropping 30 seconds and Hil dropping 14. We have been seeing a lot of twin action happening this year, but these girls came from completely different households and have learned to work together better than any pair has exhibited so far this season! You can expect to see both of these Barrington girls to snag podium spots at State.

Edwardsville 4x100m

Triad Lady Knight 46.62

Edwardsville has been really emphasizing that team aspect of track as they have been producing some of the best relays in the state. This year’s 4x100m team is no different. Dropping over a half second off a last year’s best pretty early in the outdoor season, Joslyn Springman, Morgan Gestes, Sophie Shapiro, and Joanna Anoke are going to be fighting for those gold medals if they keep up the great work. Every second matters in this race and these four girls understand that more than anyone this year.

Jordin Rathburn - Fulton

Under the Lights High Jump 5’ 6”

There have been a lot of relay teams, runners, and throwers finally clicking the pieces together this week. Now, there is a jumper who has been working hard and it is finally showing. Showing off already by being at a 5’ 2” best, Jordin Rathburn decided it’s time to increase her place on the rankings board. Her massive 4 inch PR shoots her up to the #1 IL spot, and she could very easily continue that streak and be the best high jumper in the state if she breaks away from the large 4 lady pack at that top spot currently.