Unity’s Barry leads the way for area athletes at Class 1A state track meet
Published 4:41 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2026
MENDON, Ill. — West Central Illinois will be well-represented this weekend at Eastern Illinois University for the IHSA Class 1 Girls Track and Field State Championships.
Any preview has to start with talking about Saylor Barry and her quest for a third straight long jump state title. Barry came into the season with high expectations as a six time All-Stater and a long jump back-to-back state champion.
A hamstring injury during the indoor season delayed the start to her season and limited her to only competing in one event only. But if you’re going to be limited to one event, it might as well be the one you are best at. If Barry can pull off the three-peat, she would be the seventh female in IHSA history to win the long jump state title three times.
Barry will have plenty of familiar faces with her at the long jump pits when she jumps. West Hancock is sending Syren Egley and Grace Grothaus to both compete in the event. Grothaus comes in ranked fifth based off of jumps from Sectionals, but her best event might be the triple jump where she comes in ranked first.
Not to be outdone, Beardstown’s Diana Huerta will also compete in the long jump and triple jump with the other local girls. Huerta is ranked second behind Grothaus in the triple jump.
The Beardstown senior will have a busy weekend as she also earned spots in the 100 and 200-meter dashes as well as the jumps. Beardstown also has Laeititia Kanda running in both the 100 and 400-meter dashes.
Rushville-Industry will send a large contingent of athletes to Charleston with field events and relays. Brynlea Downs in set to throw the discus while Ashyn Lazzel will compete in the high jump. Jocelyn Esther will have a full weekend for the Rockets as she is seeded fourth coming into the meet in triple jump.
Esther will also team with Avery Esther, Tavia Mitchelle, and Naomi Willis in the 4×100 and she will finish the meet with Esther, Willis, and Sophia McGinnis in the 4×400.
Pittsfield’s Taylor Lowry will run in the 100 as the Saukees’ lone qualifier and Brown County will be represented by Dorothy Williams in the 3,200 meter run.
