Stark County’s Johnston qualifies in four events after missing last year
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Prairie News
FARMINGTON – In the immediate aftermath of her 400-meter sectional race on May 10, Lindley Johnston was unhappy. Frustrated. But not heartbroken.
No, that was last year when a foot injury kept the Stark County track and field phenom from even trying to qualify for the state meet.
“It absolutely broke her heart that the foot wouldn’t hold up for her last year,” Stark County Coach Clint Terwilliger said. “So this has been on her mind since last May. I can guarantee you that.”
Evidently when Johnston puts her mind to something, it happens. Because by the end of the Farmington Class 1A sectional, she was smiling broadly and posing for social media pictures after a stunning evening of redemption.
In addition to winning the 100, 200 and high jump, the senior also qualified for the IHSA state track and field meet in the 400 with that second-place finish.
And Johnston didn’t just win, she won impressively, posting personal-best times in all three races at arguably the deepest girls sectional in Class 1A. Evidence of her dominance shows in the statewide seedings after sectionals. Johnston ranks first in the 200 (25.47 seconds), second in the 100 (12.45) and 400 (57.81) and third in the high jump (5 feet, 3.75 inches).
“Realistically, this is what we were waiting for. We knew this was going to happen because we saw the competition coming,” Terwilliger said. “I think she did phenomenal. She did exactly what she needed to do.”
With one exception. Johnston said she learned that she needs to attack the first 200 meters more after that frustrating 400 race, in which she finished second to Daniella Bumber of Henry-Senachwine by 0.31 seconds.
“I was a little upset. But I couldn’t be that upset. I ran a 57.81 and that’s a huge PR and you learn from your mistakes,” Johnston said. “You learn from what you did wrong in the race. And state is the race that really matters anyway.”
Prelims for state were Thursday and the Class 1A finals are Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Johnston figures to add medals to her collection, which already includes a high jump championship as a sophomore (when she cleared 5-4.25) and an eighth-place medal in the 400 (1:00.47) that same year.
“I want to say I’ve got what it takes in all of them. But my ultimate goal is just to place in them and I’ll be happy with that,” Johnstons said.
At the sectional she was happiest with her finish in the 200, the second-to-last event of the evening.
“I was tired after that (400) and my legs were feeling like dough. I was nervous for the 200,” she said. “I really proved I’ve got what it takes. Even with jello legs, I got through it.”
Said Terwilliger, “I’m excited to get down there to see what she can do.”
Johnston, who has signed to run and jump for Murray State next year, will be joined at state by five other Rebels teammates.
Stark County sophomore Lauren Orwig broke her own school record in the shot put by another centimeter with a throw of 36 feet, 3.5 inches. That put her second at sectional behind Laney Lester of Henry-Senachwine, who is seeded first heading into state. Orwig is well within reach of a medal with her No. 9 seeding.
Also qualifying was the 4×800 relay of senior Paige Rewerts, sophomores Keagan Hamilton and Sarah Kraklow and freshman Cheyenh Smith. Their time of 10:16.94 was good for fifth in a very deep field that ended up sending seven teams to state. The Lady Rebels are seeded 13th after sectionals.
“Our 4×800 is young other than our senior. They ran not their best time, but they’re down there,” Terwilliger said. “And once you get down there, as everybody knows, it’s anybody’s race.”
• Boys sectional – The Stark County boys track and field team heads into today’s Class 1A sectional at Kewanee Wethersfield with plenty of athletes holding lofty seedings.
Senior Daniel Kieser is seeded first in 300 hurdles with a time of 42.83 seconds and is second in the 110 hurdles at 16.48 seconds.
Kieser also runs a leg on the Rebels’ second-seeded 4×100 relay, which includes Nolan Orwig, Avery Gerber and Luke Rewerts and has a season-best clocking of 44.14.
Colby Stotler is the next-best state qualifying candidate in throwing events. The senior ranks second in shot put (47-9.25) and discus (135-10.75) behind only ROWVA-Williamsfield senior Brody Bledsoe.
Junior Matthew Bowser is seeded fourth in triple jump with a season-best of 39-9.5 and is sixth in long jump and ninth in high jump.
Field events start at 3 p.m. at Wethersfield.
The Rebels tuned up for the sectionals with the El Paso-Gridley Last Chance Meet last Saturday.
Kieser was fourth in 300 hurdles (43.82) and seventh in 110 hurdles (18.52). The 4×200 relay of Orwig, Luke Rewerts, Riley Masters and Avery Gerber was second in 1:38.58. Stotler was second in shot put with a throw of 47-5 and Bowser was fourth in triple jump (37-8.75).
