Darren Henry sets IESA high jump record
By Ryne Turke
In a field of 200 schools and nearly 2,800 athletes, Jacksonville Middle School stood amongst the best in the state last week at the IESA 3A/4A Track and Field State Finals.
At both the team and individual level, the boys and girls were busy on the podium at the Eastside Centre in East Peoria.
JMS was represented by 25 athletes, all of whom played a role in capturing numerous school records and bringing back a bus load of medals to the 217.
The JMS Boys 8th Grade Team was crowned 4A Team State Champions and the JMS Girls 7th Grade secured third place.
The individual performance of the weekend went to 8th Grader Darren Henry, who set the IESA record for high jump at 6’6”.
Henry was thrilled to achieve his goal of a state championship, but says it wasn’t as easy as it looked.
“I had a lot of anxiety and stress waiting under the check in tent because of how low we were ranked, but I didn’t let that overcome me. I forgot all the bad and came out with the mentality to win. When you put in the grind you will shine.”
Henry, who’d also place 2nd overall in long jump, says his teammates put on a show.
“Jason Brown was huge for us in 4×100, Jeremiah Jackson gave us a big boost setting a personal best in hurdles, Wyatt Moore showed out and was second in high jump and Brock Meyer got ninth in discus and displayed a ton of passion.”
Seventh Grader Malin Camerer, who brought home gold in shot put (9.59m) and discus (28.17m), says her experience at state was a privilege and one she won’t take for granted.
“As you walk around you are able to meet and see some of the greatest people in Illinois. The stands are all full and so is every walkway and parking lot.”
While none of Camerer’s throws were personal bests, they were still enough to be best in the state. Camerer says the pressure is amped up at this stage for all the competitors.
“Discus was very nerve racking because my first throw wasn’t very good and I scratched on my second and third throws. I was in third at the time of my last throw, when I let it go I was scared, but when they called out my number I was relieved.”
Camerer says the nerves wore off when she got to shot put, as she was able to launch two solid throws out the gate to secure the first place in the event.
Camerer was not only proud of herself, but all her fellow athletes.
“When I got up onto that podium I felt so blessed and thankful for the opportunity. It was so cool seeing everyone up in the stands taking pictures and cheering us on as our names were announced. My teammates were the first ones to come up and congratulate me. They’re great athletes and have pushed me to be the best I can be.”
Other noteworthy JMS Track and Field State Final results include:
• The 8th Grade Boys 4×100 team, featuring Darren Henry, Wyatt Moore, Jeremiah Jackson and Jason Brown, winning 1st with a time of 45.74 and setting a new JMS record.
• That same squad won 1st in the 4×400 event with a time of 3:40.07.
• Eighth Grader Wyatt Moore, finishing 2nd in high jump at 5’11.5”.
• Eighth Grader Jeremiah Jackson, finishing 2nd in 110m hurdles with 15.01.
• The 7th Grade Girls 4×100 team, consisting of Alivia Heinemann, Adalyn Heinemann, Lamaria Fortune and Kaynee Moore, finishing 5th overall at 53.42 and the 8th Grade Girls 4×100 team, consisting of Myah Mefford, Jessie DeGroot, Moore and Calla Lonergan claiming 20th overall at 54.84. Both performances were Jacksonville Middle School records.
• The 7th Grade Girls 4×400 team, made up of Adalyn Heinemann, Elizabeth Guidish, Lamaria Fortune Kaynee Moore, finished 15th with a time of 4:32.
For a full recap of the IESA Track and Field State Championship go to www.athletic.net.
