TRACK & FIELD: Indians head to State in nine events
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Du Quoin High School will compete in seven individual events as well as two relays at O'Brien Stadium in Charleston on Thursday after the IHSA Boys Class 1A Track and Field Sectional at Carterville this past Friday.
Head coach Derek Beard's 4x100m relay team claimed first place (43.5), and the 4x400m team was second behind Herrin.
Aaron Smith (Long Jump, 2nd, 22'), Haeden Sweetin (Pole Vault, 2nd, 13'), Brock Morgenstern (Shot Put, 2nd 50'5), Karson Hoffman (Triple Jump, 3rd, 42'3; 400m, 3rd, 50.4), Chaz Bland (110m hurdles, 2nd, 15.0) and Luchie Porter (100m, 10.9) will all head to state in individual events.
Du Quoin (85) finished fourth at Carterville in team scoring behind the host Lions (122), Herrin (98) and Harrisburg (91). Benton (56) was fifth, West Frankfort (49.5) sixth, followed by Johnston City (29).
The Class 1A state pre-lims are tentatively set to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday in Charleston. Finalists return on Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m.