Central’s Thompson sets new marks, while QHS boys and girls win team titles at invitational

RUSHVILLE, Ill. — Ezra Thompson’s leaping ability, Jettason Rose’s speed and LaMarrio Rodgers’ strength were the highlights of the 19th Rob Garcia Invitational, which featured 17 prep track and field teams.

Central’s Thompson shattered his personal best in the triple jump, winning the event with a leap of 12.45 meters. He also set a new PR in the long jump by winning with a leap of 6.82 meters.

Rose continues to be the fastest guy on the track as the Quincy High School sprinter won the 100-meter dash in 11.69 seconds and captured the 200 in 22.98. The Blue Devils’ Rodgers won the shot put with a toss of 14.24 meters and the discus with a throw of 44.57 meters.

The Blue Devils won the team championships for both the boys and girls events, piling up 150.5 points on the boys side with North Mac finishing second with 103 points. Quincy had 134 points on the girls side with North Mac taking second with 116.75.

Quincy’s Fiker Rosen and Eric McClelland finished back-to-back in the 1,600 run. Rosen won in 4:35.14 and McClelland was second in 4:38.61. Rosen also won the 3,200 run in 10:04.02. Quincy’s William Venvertloh was fourth in 11:34.93.

The Blue Devils’ Reid Savage won the 110 hurdles in 17.32 seconds, while taking third in the 300 hurdles in 46.25.

In the 100 dash, Illini West’s Max Dittmer was second in 11.71. Dittmer was third in the 200 in 24.03. In the 400, Central’s Darren Rigg tied for second at 55 seconds. Illini West’s Cole Kirkham was second in the 800 in 2:07.

Central’s Sterling Stotts tied for second in the high jump, clearing 1.83 meters.

Quincy won the 4×100 relay in 44.43, while Illini West was second in 45.09. Illini West took second in the 4×200 relay (1:35.94) and Central was third (1:36.56). The Chargers also were second in the 4×400 relay (3:38.48) and in the 4×800 relay (9:19.12).

The Blue Devils won the 4×800 relay in 9:18.44.

On the girls side, Quincy’s Breckett Bruening (13.74) and Anna Venvertloh (13.77) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 100 dash. Venvertloh also finished fourth in the 200 dash in 29.96.

Venvertloh won the 400 in 43.55. Illini West’s Josie Bryan was fourth in 1:07.25.

The Blue Devils’ Anna Schuering won the 800 run in 2:27.83, while Bryan was second in 2:36.57. Schuering also won the 1,600 in 5:24.90, while Liberty’s Arianna Neisen was second in 5:44.57.

Neisen won the 3,200 run in 12:31.45, while Quincy’s Alexandria Meyers was second in 13:14.27.

Illini West’s Abbie Johnson was third in the discus with a toss of 28.2 meters. Quincy’s Sadiya Hodges was second in the long jump with a leap of 4.81 meters, while Illini West’s Yoanny Espinoza was second in the triple jump, going 9.81 meters.

Quincy won the 4×400 relay in 4:57.53 and the 4×800 in 11:30.46, while taking second in the 4×100 relay (55.13) and the 4×200 relay (1:56.94).