Lady Indians push records in Metro-East meet

COLLINSVILLE - Competing with Metro-East schools, Du Quoin's Lady Indians had two firsts, set three school records and placed fifth overall in the Collinsville Girls Invitational.

"We had really good competition, and that's why we went to this meet, to push us," said head coach Shane Boyett, noting that all the other schools were bigger 2A and 3A competitors.

Breaking a record that had stood since 1994, the 4x200 team of Bailey Harsy, Olivia Phillips, Ayanna Dunklin and Madison Davis combined for a time of 1:47.21. They placed second behind Belleville East's 1:44.36.

Junior Gabrielle Alongi set a personal record when placing first in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.14, breaking the tape just seconds ahead of Edwardsville's Abby Korak at 2:17.14. Alongi also set a personal record for second in the 400 meter with 59.14.

She anchored school-record runs in the 4X800 and 4X400 relays, placing first in the 4x800, with 9:43, just ahead of Edwardsville. Sophomore Jacqueline Crain led the quartet, along with freshmen Olivia Phillips and Grace Alongi.

The same four came in fourth in the 4x400, setting a DHS record with 4:10.73, behind the Bellevilles East and West and Alton.

Davis, a senior, set a season record for sixth in the 100 meters, with 12.79. She was third in the 200 dash, with 26.44.

Senior Elizabeth Bird was second in the high jump, with 5 even behind a 5-foot-2 effort from Wood River.

Maddie Robsion hit 8 feet 6 in the pole vault for third, behind 9-plus finishers from Alton and Triad.