Williamson; Bettis lead Tornadoes at State 

EAST PEORIA — Both Taylorville Jr. High Track and Field teams traveled to East Peoria to compete in the IESA 4A State meet on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20. The Elsie Williamson lead girls along with the Liam Bettis lead boys competed amongst some of the best young athletes in the state of Illinois. 

GIRLS

It was a top twenty finish for the TJHS female squad with the team landing 20th place with 10 points. Elsie Williamson earned the top spot in the Discus event. She tossed her discus 116-10 giving her a first place finish and a new personal record (PR). Also throwing for the 8th grade portion was Gianna Tarr. She launched her Shot Put a total of 27-08.50 which gave her 12th place. 

For the 7th graders Julie Wayman threw her Shot Put 28-07.00 which earned her a 6th place finish. Elayna Harker soared during the Pole Vault event. She finished in 6th place reaching a total height of 7-00.00.    

BOYS 

The boys team secured 32nd place with a point total of 5.5. Liam Bettis ran the long distance events for Taylorville. He raced in both the 800m and 1600m. He had a strong outing for the 800m securing 3rd place with a total time of 2:05.10. He would out do himself in the 1600m racing to a 2nd place finish and total time of 4:36.99 (PR). 

The trowing events were headlined by 8th graders Brock Walton (Shot Put) and Connor Hunsley (Discus). Walton finished 18th with a total distance of 40-01.00 while Hunsley ended in 11th with 124-10. 

Seventh grader Logan Barry also threw in the Discus event reaching 19th place with a distance of 100-10.

The 4x400m relay team consisting of Eli Ellis, Garrett Lehman, Joseph Goodman and Jayden Lash finished 18th for 4A 8th Grade with a total time of 3:54.21. 

The Taylorville Jr. High Tornadoes cap off the 2023 Spring season by placing eight individuals and one relay team at the State level.