Despite not being able to finish all of her throws in the Chester Track and Field Sectional, held Friday and Saturday, Steeleville senior Jill Winkelman qualified for the state meet in the discus for the third consecutive year.
Winkelman took second in the sectional with a throw of 114’, her one and only toss in the finals, while sectional winner Jennifer Moeller was able to get two throws in before the meet was wrapped up due to inclement weather.
“I am disappointed I didn’t get a chance to finish and try for first place, but the important thing is that I qualified,” said Winkelman.
The sectional performance snapped a perfect season for Winkelman, who had competed in eight meets this season and won them all. Winkelman also wrapped up a perfect conference career, as she was conference champ all four years in the Cahokia Conference
She also set a new Benton Spring Fling meet record with a throw of 117’9.5, which is also her personal best.
While she has qualified for the state meet the past two years, making it past the preliminaries has been a different story.
“I didn’t make it to the finals the last two years and that is my goal this year,” said Winkelman. “I think I will be more comfortable up there since I know what to expect. I would also like to reach the 120’ mark and the state meet is my last chance to do that.”
Winkelman was just one of a handful of local athletes to qualify for state out of the Chester Sectional.
Chester senior Jordan Clendenin earned a trip to the state meet at Eastern Illinois University by winning the pole vault. Chester freshman Sarah Bindel continued her impressive season by winning the 100 high hurdles.
Other local qualifers included Abby Brundage of Red Bud (second place shot put), Jesslyn Thompson (first place triple jump and second place 400 meter dash).
Freeburg won the sectional championship with 136.3 points followed by Nashville (110.3), Murphysboro (78.3), Sesser Valier (49), Chester (39), Christopher (36), Pinckneyville (32) and Red Bud (23) to round out the top eight schools.
