Thousands of athletes competed throughout the country this summer for the opportunity to participate in the National Hershey Track and Field North American Finals on Saturday, August 4.  Six athletes from Illinois traveled with the Illinois State Director Ryan Sparrow from the Channahon Park District to partake in the competition.

According to Ryan, 560 athletes from the 50 states and Canada competed in this North American final. The Illinois contigent had a great time and all the athletes did a great job in their events.  The results were as follows: 

Olivia Malone Girls 9-10 50 Meter Dash 6^th Place

(Time 8.69 sec.) Plainfield 

Brooke Wolfe Girls 11-12 800 Meter Run 4^th Place

(Time 2 min. 32.13 sec.) Mt. Prospect 

Tiera Townsend Girls 9-10 Standing Long Jump 5^th Place

(Distance 6’ 6.25”) Chicago 

Jared Jubert Boys 9-10 50 Meter Dash 2^nd Place

(Time 7.84 sec.) Matteson 

Dominic Christian 9-10 Boys 200 Meter Dash 4^th Place

(Time 30.81 sec.) Calumet City 

Tim Johnson 9-10 Boys Standing Long Jump 7^th Place

(Distance 6’ 6.75”) Chicago 

Hundreds of athletes throughout the state competed in local meets for the opportunity to participate in the State Finals.  678 atheltes competed in the State Finals at Plainfield South High School on July 7 that qualified from a total of 19 different regional meets (State Meet results).

Congratulations to the athletes, and thank you to the Hershey Corportation, Ryan Sparrow, volunteers, coaches and parents that made it possible for all of the athletes to compete this year!