Lincoln-Way East dominates as Girls Relay Champion

By Michael Newman

DyeStat IL Editor

mike@dyestat.com

Lincoln-Way East had won two straight IHSA 3A state championships behind winning the sprint relays. When it came down to the DyeStat Illinois Relay Rankings, the Griffins could place no higher than third. Part of that had to do with a 3200 Meter Relay that had trouble to breaking into the top fifty. That changed this year. East won their third straight IHSA 3A team championship without winning one relay. Their depth was the key as they placed in all four relay events.

It showed in this season’s relay rankings. The Griffins had the state’s fastest times in the 400 and 1600 Relays. They were tied for fifth fastest in the 800 Relay. They climbed into the top ten in the 3200 relay with the eight fastest time. The result was winning the 2015 DyeStat Illinois Relay Rankings for Girls Teams. The Griffins total of 188 ½ was twenty points ahead of second place Barrington (168 points). Barrington’s MSL rival Palatine placed third (145 points) followed by Oak Park-River Forest and 2014 relay champion St. Charles East.

Three 2A schools were among the first twenty. Morgan Park, who won three state championships in the relays, finished seventh. Springfield Southeast (16^th) and Rich South (20^th) were among the other 2A schools in the first 20.

The DyeStat Illinois Relay Rankings are based off of the DyeStat TFX leaderboards (as of June 21, 2015) for the four relays that are contested at the IHSA State Meet. In the All Class, 3A, and 2A categories, the top 50 quartets are ranked with 50 points given to the fastest school down to 1 point for the 50th fastest. In 1A, only the top 30 quartets are ranked with 30 points given to the fastest 1A school

Overall Relay Winners

2015 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East – 188 ½ points

2014 – St. Charles East – 165 points

2013 – O’Fallon – 172 points

Class 3A

The story was the same as the overall standings. Lincoln-Way East scored 189 points. They were 20 points ahead of second place Barrington. Palatine placed third. Oak Park-River Forest and St. Charles East tied for fourth.

Overall Relay Winners

2015 – Frankfort Lincoln-Way East – 189 ½ points

2014 – St. Charles East – 174 points

2013 – O’Fallon – 178 points

Class 2A

Dunlap’s four relays were among the 11 fastest in 2A. That was the difference as the Eagles scored 173 points to win the 2A championship. Kaneland finished second only three points behind (170 points). Galesburg was another five points behind (165 points) in third place. Chatham-Glenwood scored 153 points. Despite having the fastest 2A times in the 400, 800, and 1600 Relays, Morgan Parked failed to score in the 3200 Relay. The Mustangs scored 150 points to finished fifth.

Overall Relay Winners

2015 – Dunlap – 173 points

2014 – Springfield – 187 points

2013 – East St. Louis-Senior – 168 points

Class 1A

Illini West captured their second straight 1A Relay Championship. This year’s 1A state champions had the fastest 1A time in the 1600 Relay. Their other three relays were among the first five. They scored 111 ½ points to finish more than 11 points ahead of second place Eureka who scored 100 points. St. Teresa, Aurora Christian, and Luther North rounded out the first five teams.

Overall Relay Winners

2015 – Carthage Illini West – 111 ½ points

2014 – Carthage Illini West – 103 points

2013 – Erie-Prophetstown – 107 points