IHSA BOYS TRACK & FIELD
Parker Campbell takes 5th at State in 110m Hurdles
Railsplitters take 13 athletes to State
 

[May 28, 2024] 

The Railsplitters Track and Field team competed in the IHSA Class 2A Boys State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston over the weekend and it was junior Parker Campbell who stood on the podium, reaching the highest finish among the Lincoln athletes.

Campbell finished in fifth place in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 14.84 during Saturday’s Finals.

In Friday’s Prelims, Campbell finished in third place in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 14.56.

Campbell ran the 300m Hurdles on Friday during Prelims in a time of 42.87. He finished in 22nd place in the Prelims.

The 4x400 Relay team consisting of Ki’on Carson, Luke Jones, Ben Crombie and Kani Carson suffered a tough break on Friday during the Prelims when they tied with Metamora for the last spot available in Saturday’s Finals. Both teams recorded a time of 3:25.57 but it was decided via the photo finish that Metamora leaned across the finish line first, just edging out Lincoln for the final spot. Metamora was credited with a ninth place finish in Prelims and the Lincoln seniors had to settle for tenth place. Only the top nine in the Prelims advance to the Finals on Saturday. Heartbreaking defeat for the Lincoln runners.

The 4x800m Relay team consisting of freshmen Owen Cyrulik, Colin Crombie and Preston Short and senior Luke Jones finished in 30th place with a time of 8:33.47 during Friday’s Prelims.

Individually, Kani Carson finished in 13th place in Friday’s Prelims of the 400m race with a time of 50.43.

Ben Crombie finished in 14th place in Friday’s Prelims of the 800m race with a time of 1:58.26.

Alternates for the relay teams at State were: Elijah Crawford, Braxton Eilertson, Ethan Maynard, Garrett Lacefield and Zain Hubrich.

The Railsplitters are coached by Jenna Crombie, head coach and Matt Silkowski, assistant coach.

Reflecting on the successful weekend at EIU, Coach Crombie said, “Parker ran a fantastic 110 Hurdle Prelim to qualify for Finals with the third best time in the 2A field. He and Coach Johnie Meisner train with laser focus on every aspect of his hurdle form and it has really paid off this season.”

“In the finals, Parker had a slow start out of the blocks and couldn’t make up much ground in the short race. While we were thrilled with a 5th place state finish, Parker wanted to do a little better in the Finals. But that will make him even hungrier next year, his senior season.”

“Ben Crombie ran the 800 meters and raced really well in the first of three heats,” Coach Crombie and mom to Ben said. “He finished just short of the Finals, finishing 14th, .30 shy of the last qualifying spot.”

“Ben has improved so much in his four years as a Railer and we can’t wait to see him compete in the Missouri Valley Conference for Valparaiso University.”

“Kani Carson competed in the 400m and ran a solid race to finish 13th (nine qualified for the Finals). Kani just started running the 400m this season. He is going to make great strides at Monmouth College next year.”

Coach Crombie touched on the heartbreaking loss the seniors experienced, coming up short in the 4x400m Relay during the Prelims.

“Our 4x400m Relay team of Ki’on Carson, Luke Jones, Ben Crombie and Kani Carson ran 3:25.57 in a great race to just miss the Finals by one one thousandth of a second. It was a heartbreaking loss, but this group ran the second fastest 4x400 in LCHS history.”

“These young men had some of the best chemistry I’ve seen on a relay. Ki’on really took on a leadership role with the lead off leg and we were so confident when he had the baton. Ki’on will play football (and possibly track with his brother) at Monmouth College.”

“Finally our 4x800m Relay team of Owen Cyrulik, Colin Crombie, Preston Short and Luke Jones finished 30th overall. It was a fantastic experience, especially for the three freshmen,” said Crombie. “Luke led this young group with his years of relay experience. Luke will run in college for UIS. And the freshman will definitely be back at state next year. The future of Railsplitter track and field is bright!”

Congratulations to all of these great athletes on a terrific season!

[Teena Lowery]