HCMS Eighth Grade Girls Track Team Claims Second State Title In A Row

FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort District 157-C's Hickory Creek Middle School eighth grade girls track team celebrated a hugely successful end to its season, claiming a second consecutive team state championship and individual state championships for two runners.

Kolby Ross and Lexi Darnell both earned individual state championships this year, Athletic Director Taylor Boyle told Patch. Ross was the state champion in three events: the 100-meter, 200-meter and long jump; and Darnell was the state champion in the high jump.

"[Ross'] 200-meter dash time was 25.20 seconds which is an all-time state record," Boyle said. "Along with this, she also medaled in the 4x100 relay. All of this helped an already stacked eighth grade girls team to win the team state title for the second year in a row."

In addition to Ross and Darnell, eighth grade team members contributing to the team championship include Jade Atieh, Julia Chase, Angel Dixon, Lexi Darnell, Abby Grant, Emersyn Hughes, Taylor Jones, Jillian Kwiecinski, Addison Max, Kylie Miller, Kolby Ross, Liv Slaughter, Rowan Stanovich and Morgan Stoiber.

Head coaches are Mitch Stein and Erin Nemeth, and other coaches include Jaclyn Mahoney, Patrick Conway, Angela Ziemba and Lizzie Drwiega.

According to IESA results, the team had 61 points in the Class 8-4A state track meet. Edwardsville's Lincoln came in second with 39 points, and Edwardsville's Liberty came in third with 25 points in the team standings.