State Champions: Middle School Track and Field Finishes Historic Season

The middle school track team, made up of more than 85 students, concluded another successful spring season this weekend. Coached by Bill Ridder, Andrew Kowitz, and Ross Van Der Bill, the team competed in three regular-season meets that showcased tremendous improvement across the entire roster.

The season took a historic turn at the conference meet two weeks ago, when both the boys and girls teams brought home first-place trophies. The following week brought even more success as Timothy Christian’s top athletes competed against schools from across the area at the Sectional meet hosted by Chicago Hope Academy. Strong relay and individual performances propelled both the boys and girls teams to first-place finishes once again — a first for the school at the Sectional meet.

Coach Andrew Kowitz said, “These athletes peaked at just the right time. We had so many kids set personal records at Sectionals. It was fun to watch them go head-to-head with other top athletes from across the Chicago area.”

Following the meet, Timothy qualified 11 athletes for the State Track Meet in Peoria over Memorial Day weekend. Once again, Timothy athletes rose to the occasion and performed exceptionally well.

Girls

• Brooklyn Judkins-Johnson — Long Jump (6th in State), Medley Relay (State Champions), 4x400 Relay (4th in State)
• Jadynn Hollis — Medley Relay (State Champions)
• Kaitlyn Pergande — 400m (3rd in State), 4x400 Relay (4th in State), Medley Relay (State Champions)
• Reese VanHekken — Hurdles, 4x400 Relay (4th in State)
• Carmie Pontrelli — Medley Relay (State Champions), 4x400 Relay (4th in State)

Boys

• Paxton Zielke — Hurdles, 4x400 Relay
• Wilder Laning — 4x200 Relay (State Champions), 4x400 Relay, Medley Relay
• Tyler Welch — 100m (6th in State), 200m (2nd in State), 4x200 Relay (State Champions), Medley Relay
• Lucas Salazar — 4x200 Relay (State Champions), 4x400 Relay
• Asher Rieger — 4x400 Relay, Medley Relay
• Mekhi Zimmerman — 4x200 Relay (State Champions), 4x400 Relay

“To be able to say we had two State Champion relay teams is unreal,” said Coach Bill Ridder. “These kids worked so hard for us this season.”

Coach Ross Van Der Bill added, “Some of them have been on the team for three years, while others just joined this year, but all of them came together and showed what tremendous competitors they are.”