Stateline Boys Track Teams Return From State With Some Hardware

By Al Zipsie
The Stateline got a big surprise Saturday when Freeport tied for the boys 2A state track title at Charleston

The Pretzels Deion McShane scored 31 if his teams points as Freeport tied Normal for first with 37 points. McShane a junior had medals in all four of his events. McShane racked up 18 points in two of the last four events to rally.
Normal was third in the 1600 meter run. But, McShane who had just won the 300 Intermediate hurdles in 36.53. Then had a second in the 200 meters to notch eight points to put Freeport in a first place tie.

McShane, on the day won the 300 hurdles, was second in the 110 meter high hurdles (14.22) and 200 (21.93). He was also fifth in the long jump 22'04. Last year he doubled up as champion in both hurdle races. This season after a second in the high hurdles. McShane came roaring back with the win in the low hurdles. And then after a short rest the encore with a strong second in the 200 to give the Pretzels part of the State Championship.

McShane, in addition to the hurdles added the two other events this year at State. The other six key points came from McShanes's  teammate Jered Allison who was fourth in the shot put at  at 55'0. He just missed placing and scoring in the discus.

Other Stateline athletes who brought home Individual state championships was Mason Wright of the Forreston/Polo Coop in the triple jump flying 47 feet even, a new NUIC 1A all time area record.

Rockford Christian won a pair of events in 1A. Sophomore Riley Wells won the 800 meters in a blazing 1:52.84. He then anchored the winning 1600 meter relay to first in 3:22.41. He was joined by Jacob Kenney, Josiah Vogel and Quinn Halverson. That trio joined Skyler Blanton for a second in the 800 relay (1:29.50).

Forreston/Polo had a solid third place team finish in 1A with 31 points. Rockford Christian on the strength of the  two first and a second finished in a three way tie for fourth with 28 points.

Polo/Forreston led by Wrights first in the triple jump. Also had A.J Christensen a double runner-up in both 110 high hurdles (14.94) and 300 hurdles (39.10).
And Brady Webb fifth in the long jump (21'10).

Lena-Winslow's Rahveon Valentine notched three medals. He was 8th in the 200 meters (22.93) and joined Ty Chrisman, Gaige Schwartz and Bailey Litow for fifth in the 400 meter relay and ninth in the 800.

Ian Hussing of Oregon finished sixth in the 800 meters.

Others from the Stateline who earned medals in 2A the Byron 3200 meter relay team of Zach Fortener, Colton Johnson, Luke Chernick and Chase Sarver sixth in 7:59.5. Belvidere's Kalen Murray seventh in the triple jump. Rochelle's Andrew Myers fourth in the high jump and Matthew Drendel eighth in the 800. John Kellum of Richmond Burton seventh in the 800.

The only area 3A state placer was Kevion Polk sixth (47'00.75) of Rockford Guilford in the triple jump.