Villa Grove girls track team to compete with 12 athletes
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By Daniel L. Chamness
Doing the most with a little.
That is what Villa Grove will have to do to be successful in girls track and field this year. The Blue Devils have a total of 12 athletes out for track. Eight of those athletes are returning letter winners.
“We have two athletes that went to state as freshmen,” reported Kim Jones, Villa Grove’s head coach. “Both were jumpers and we will be strong in the field events.”
Some have already showed just how strong they are. At the Gene Armer Invitational, Evalice Callison would break her own indoor record in the high jump, leaping 1.60 meters, which is the equavilent of 5 foot, 3 inches. She was invited to the Top Times Meet in Bloomington, but she was ill on that day. Baylee Martin, another returner, jumped 4.81 meters (15-9.5).
If she had been able to duplicate her jump from the Gene Armer Invitational, Callison would have finished second in the Class 1A high jump at the Top Times Meet.
“Those two also do running events,” said Jones. “Both have a tremendous amount of talent and it comes naturally to both of them.
In addition to those two in the jumping events, they also return Carly Eads, a senior, and Ryan Lillard, a junior. The girls are in the throwing events and have been throwing since junior high.
“Both of the girls have not only had great success, but they also have improved greatly,” said Jones. “There is so much competition in the area when it comes to track and field. It is very difficult at times for us to practice and compete against other teams, who have tremendous facilities. Unfortunately, we do not have a track or other facilities that provide us with having the best to practice sessions. Due to that, I will always be amazed at what our athletes, past and present, have been able to do.”
Thus far, the Blue Devils have had one outdoor meet at Arcola. A total of four teams competed in the meet and a total of three athletes secured four top three finishes. The 400-meter relay also finished third.
Martin took second in the long jump and third in the 200-meter dash. She finished with a leap of 14-9.25 and a 200-meter time of 30.44 seconds. Alexis Wilson took second in the 400-meter dash, crossing the finish line in 1:10.39, while Carley Eads took third in the discus, recording a toss of 91 feet, 8 inches.
“I have seen the maturity and growth since last season,” said Jones. “These girls have tried new events out of their comfort zone. I always encourage that, because it might be the event they excel at. This is my final year as the coach. I have loved coaching at Villa Grove. I have already tendered my resignation and the Villa Grove track athletes have and always will be special to me. I consider many of them like a daughter. I hope they continue to succeed in this sport because it can teach you a great deal in life.”