Your NIC-10 Track Preview

By Al Zipsie

The NIC-10 boys and girls Conference could produce some state champions.

Boys

Devon McShane the most decorated track athlete in Freeport history. He could also become the best track athlete in NIC-10 history.

McShane a senior has signed to run track and play football at Northern Iowa. McShane has three state championships and eight state medals. Last year he won the 300 Intermediate hurdles setting a state record in a blazing 36.53. He also was second in both the 110 high hurdles (14.22) and 200 meters (21.93) and fifth in the long jump. He medaled in all four events leading Freeport to a share for the 2A State Championship with Normal U. He scored all of the Pretzels points except for fourth place from Jared Allison in the shot put.

Freeport had finished third in the Conference meet and fourth at the Sectional. However, took home team State title hardware thanks to McShane. This encore season McShane is hoping to score an Individual State title in all four events.

Freeport also has hurdler Jaden Johnson and pole vaulted Collin Heidenreich.

Hononegah will be looking for their fifth straight NIC-10 Conference championship. They won thus years Conference indoor meet easily. They have depth making for strong relay teams along with Jalen Anderson in the long jump and 200 and Tyler Wilson in the 400.

Belvidere North could challenge led by state qualifier In the long jump and high jump in Sebastian Guiterrez. Dain Kuss in the pole vault and distance runners Alec Scott and Virgil Munyemana.

Others who could be standouts are Jefferson sprinter Dontavius Young. Guilford's Stephan Lindhe. Harlem's Jalen Benson in the sprints and Jake McKenna in the shot put.

Belvidere has jumpers Michael Kurtenbach and Kalen Murray.

Rockford East has Noah Friske in the distance events and sprinters who could be part of a solid relay in Tahveon Lake, Ethan Winterhelmer, Adams Jonquez and TyVionna Horton.

Auburn has Jonah Garcia in the 800 meters.

Girls

Belvidere North returns many to try and defend it's Conference championship. North.

Boylan finished fifth in 2A State behind a double champion in junior Grace McLaughlin. She won the 3200 in 10:40 45 with now-graduated teammate Delaney Alpine right behind her in second. McLaughlin won 1600 in 5:02.43. An injury kept her from a cross country state title her senior year and she hopes it doesn't keep her from defending her 2A State distance titles. In the shot put Peyton Kennedy.

For Belvidere North they return three members of the 3A state champion 4 by 800-meter relay team in Madison Diercks, Kayla McGuire and Sabrina Elder, also both solid in the 400. Diercks edged state champ McLaughlin to win the 1600 meter at the NIC-10 meet. Haley Dahl in the hurdle events. Conference champ pole vaulter Taylor Ferguson. Sprinter Grace Bundschuh and triple jumper/sprints Kate Oteng-Bediaka.

Hononegah has Taylor Frommer in the 80p and 1600 meters and Honesty Sandlin in the 300 hurdles.

Rockford East has sprinter Atira Lashley.

Guilford has freshman sprinter Marqueya Polite. Elle Maculan of Auburn in hurdles.

Harlem has Olivia Lewis in the jumps and Catie Daily in the throws. Kahlie Washington in the long jump and Chloe Fare in the hurdles.