Cahokia girls win state

The Cahokia High track dynasty continued last weekend at the Illinois State Championships, but it was the girls who brought home the hardware this time.

The Comanches won the IHSA Class 2A state championship last weekend at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Cahokia scored 61 points to win its first state title.

Freshman Mariya Hudson won the 400-meter dash title in 55.65 seconds. She also finished third in the 200 and seventh in the long jump. Sophomore Raynesha Lewis finished third in the long jump and triple jump and ninth in the 100-meter high hurdles. Senior Daisha Townsend was second in the shot put and discus. The Comanches also finished fourth in the 4×100 and sixth in the 4×400-meter relay.

Triple jumper 

Alton’s Lajarvia Brown won the Class 3A state title in the triple jump with an effort of 40 feet 3 ½ inches. She also finished sixth in the long jump. Jasmine Berry of Belleville West finished third in both the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles. Kristen Dowell of Edwardsville was fourth in both hurdles events while teammate Aaliyah Covington was second in the shot put and seventh in the discus. Kayla Marshall of Collinsville was fourth in the triple jump.

Cahokia seeks four-peat 

The boys will take center stage in Charleston this weekend at the IHSA State Championships at Eastern Illinois University. Cahokia will be seeking its fourth consecutive state title and seventh overall as they compete in the Class 2A meet. Friday’s prelims begin at 11 a.m. with the championship races set to begin at noon on Saturday.

Once again, the Comanches will be loading up the bus as they qualified individuals in eight events and all four relays, including eight sectional champions. Cahokia ran away with the Sectional title at Herrin with 152 points.

Cahokia will be led by individual standouts Jamari Ward in the long and triple jump and Gary Hickman in the hurdles. The Comanches were also sectional champions in the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400 and 4×800.

Edwardsville athletes 

Edwardsville will be taking a strong contingent of athletes to the Class 3A state meet, including standout hurdler Craig James and some very talented sprint relays. The Tigers won the Class 3A Sectional title last Friday on their own