Winamac Girls Conclude Track Season with Grit at Sectionals
By Mike Haschel | May 23, 2025 3:51 PM
The Winamac Community High School girls' track team wrapped up their 2025 season with a determined showing at the IHSAA Sectional #4 meet hosted by Kankakee Valley on May 20. Despite tough competition from powerhouse teams, the Lady Warriors held their own, finishing sixth overall with 39.25 points in a meet that featured standout athletes and fierce battles for Regional qualification. Top Scorer: Sadie Popejoy Sophomore Sadie Popejoy led the team with a standout performance, contributing in four events. She earned a 6th-place finish in the 100m dash (14.03), 7th in the 200m dash (28.85), placed 5th in discus with a throw of 94'10", and led off the 4x400m relay team, which finished 5th. Her combined efforts totaled 5.75 points individually and helped power the relays to key finishes. Additional Standouts: Kadence Hoover (Senior) scored 6 points with a 4th-place tie in the 1600m (Personal Best 5:42.24), ran the lead leg in the 4th place 4x800 relay and a 5th-place finish in the 3200m (Personal Best 12:22.08). Avery Wegner (Junior) earned 2.5 points with a 7th-place 800m finish (2:38.40) and anchored the 4x800 and 4x400 relays. Claire Goodman (Senior) Ran a leg of the 4th place 4x800 relay, finished 8th in the 1600m (5:55.82) and ran a season-best in the 3200m, placing 8th in 12:58.47. Ava Malchow (Freshman) scored 3 points with a 7th-place finish in the 400m (1:07.14) and a 4th-place tie in high jump (4'6"). She also ran on the 4x400 relay that finished 5th. Maci Earp (Freshman) competed in both the 4x100 and 4x800 relays, contributing to crucial team points. Emily Weaver (Senior) ran the 4x100 and competed in the 100m. Kandace Kroft (Junior) finished 7th in the high jump and 12th in the 300 hurdles. Ally Campbell (Senior) cleared 6'6" in pole vault for 10th place. Sierra Haschel (Senior) finished 10th in discus (81'3") and 16th in shot put (25'11.75"). Mylie Foster (Junior) contributed in the 4x100, long jump and competed in the 300m hurdles. Madelyn Goodman (Junior) scored in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays and jumped 11'10.5" in long jump. Maddie Foster (Senior) finished 24th in the shot with (21’08”). Mershai Loehmer (Senior) finished 19th in the 100 hurdles (22.09). Jordyn Hounchell (Sophomore) competed in the pole vault. Relay Highlights 4x800 Relay (Hoover, Earp, Goodman, Wegner) finished 4th with a time of 10:57.36, earning 5 points. 4x100 Relay (Goodman, Earp, Foster, Weaver) finished 8th in 58.43 seconds. 4x400 Relay (Popejoy, Malchow, Goodman, Wegner) ran a season best 4:31.82 for 5th place and 4 points in a strong finish to the meet. Season Reflection The Warriors’ sixth-place team finish reflected the depth and commitment of a squad that consistently gave maximum effort. The season began with a moto of training to be at their best by the end of the season and with the amount of personal best at the end of the season, they did just that. With several seniors closing out their careers, including Campbell, Foster, Goodman, Haschel, Hoover, Leohmer, Short and Weaver, the younger athletes now look ahead to stepping into leadership roles. The team’s ability to advance athletes into finals and score across distance, sprints, throws, and jumps was a testament to their all-around strength. Winamac's track season ends on a high note of competitive spirit and resilience, laying a strong foundation for continued progress in 2026.