The Illinois Top Times Championships was held on Saturday, March 25 at the Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University. The Illinois Top Times Meet consists of the top 12 athletes for each event. There were over 60 teams at the championship, and Sterling had a total of 13 athletes competing.

  This is the largest group Sterling has ever had participating in the championship. Junior Andre Klaver placed second for high jump with the height of 1.93m (6’4”). Junior Jordan Britt placed eighth for the 400m dash with a time of 52.05. Junior Dale Johnson placed second for the 1600m with a time of 4:21.44, and third for the 3200m with a time of 9:28.44. 

  The members of the 4x200m were: junior Cale Ledergerber as the first leg, sophomore Joseph Holcomb as the second leg, senior Kael Ryan as the third leg, and junior Carter Chance as the fourth leg. They placed first with a time of 1:33.79. The members of the 4x800m were: junior Owen Anderson as the first leg, senior Thomas Holcomb as the second leg, junior Parker Janssen as the third leg, and Junior Jordan Britt as the fourth leg. They placed sixth with the time of 8:23.81. The last relay that Sterling competed in was the 4×400. The runners of the 4x400m were: Britt as the first leg, T. Holcomb as the second leg, J. Holcomb as the third leg, and freshman Maruice DelaCruz as the fourth leg. They placed fifth with a time of 3:35.19. 

   Sterling had three girls go to the Top Times Meet. Senior Alice Sotelo placed sixth in triple jump with a measurement of 10.56m, or 34.65 feet. Sophomore Madison Austin went for high jump and placed 10th with a jump of 1.50m. Junior Anna Aulwes placed 18th in the 60m hurdles with a time of 10.20.

  Ryan, who participated in the third leg of the 4x200m relay, said, “It was like no other meet I’ve ever been to. It was a really special experience to be a part of, and us winning made it even more memorable.” 

  With this being the largest group that S.H.S. has ever had go to the Illinois Top Times Meet, it looks like they are going to be very successful throughout their whole season.