Peoria Boys, Lowpoint-Washburn Girls Capture Team Titles at Tony Thorsen Invitational

The Peoria High School boys and the Lowpoint-Washburn girls emerged victorious on Tuesday afternoon, capturing the respective team championships at the 2026 Tony Thorsen Invitational hosted by Dwight High School.

The Peoria boys leaned heavily on their explosive sprinters and vertical jumpers to secure exactly 100 points, holding off spirited challenges from runner-up Kankakee McNamara (87) and the host Dwight Trojans (86). On the girls’ side, Lowpoint-Washburn showcased remarkable depth and consistency to run away with the team title, compiling 102 points to comfortably distance themselves from Dwight (65) and Kankakee McNamara (63).

Despite Lowpoint-Washburn’s team dominance in the girls’ competition, the individual performance of the meet belonged to Wilmington’s McKenna Van Tilburg. The sensational sophomore executed a flawless quadruple-gold sweep across the sprints and hurdles. Van Tilburg dashed to victories in the 100 meters (12.71) and 200 meters (26.39), while also dominating the barriers with wins in the 100-meter high hurdles (15.61) and 300-meter low hurdles (45.45).

The Peoria boys were equally electrifying on the track, paced by senior standout Melvin Jenkins. Jenkins was the undisputed king of the short sprints, claiming gold in the 100 meters (11.33) and 200 meters (23.39). He later returned to anchor Peoria’s triumphant 4×100 relay squad, clocking a combined 43.70 to secure maximum points. The Lions also dominated the jumps, with Malik Johnson soaring to a season-best 6.97 meters in the long jump and Cam Gunn clearing 1.93 meters to win the high jump.

Host Dwight made a powerful push for the boys’ title, anchored by a pair of dominant performances in the distance events and throwing rings. Graham Meister was untouchable in the heavy field events, sweeping the shot put with an 18.86-meter heave and the discus with a 50.83-meter toss. On the track, Dwight’s Joe Faris cruised to a personal-best 4:18.46 in the 1600 meters, while Joseph Duffy took first in the 300-meter hurdles (41.59).

The Lowpoint-Washburn girls secured their team championship through a balanced attack that continuously stacked points across the board. Ellison Heineke led the charge in the distance events, winning the 3200 meters (12:01.78) while picking up a runner-up finish in the 1600 meters. Lexa Porth of Tri-Point captured the 400 meters with a season-best 1:05.70, while Dwight’s Mikayla Chambers impressed the home crowd with a personal-best 5:14.15 to win the girls’ 1600 meters.

Other notable individual triumphs included Kankakee McNamara’s Jersey Slone winning the girls’ long jump (4.67m), Gilman Iroquois West’s Phylicity Leonard taking the shot put (10.77m), and Dwight’s Emma Eggenberger spinning to a win in the discus (35.03m). In the boys’ events, Crete-Monee Illinois Lutheran’s Dawveed Holland recorded a personal-best 14.57 meters to claim the triple jump, and Somonauk’s Gunnar Swenson won the 800 meters in 2:04.68.

The meet also featured mixed-gender relays, adding a unique and competitive flair to the afternoon. Momence narrowly edged Peoria to win the mixed 4×100 relay (56.48), while Dwight’s quartet of Mikayla Chambers, June Woods, Joe Faris, and Tysen Walker combined for a decisive victory in the mixed 4×400 relay with a time of 3:46.85.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Track and Field total team points reflect final standings)
| Team | Boys Points | Girls Points |
|—|—|—|
| Peoria | 100 | 4 |
| Washburn (Lowpoint-W.) | 41 | 102 |
| Kankakee (McNamara) | 87 | 63 |
| Dwight | 86 | 65 |
| Wilmington | 47 | 48 |
| Momence | 34 | 53 |
| Somonauk | 26 | 37 |
| Gilman (Iroquois West) | 5 | 44 |
| Cullom (Tri-Point) | 21 | 31 |
| Beecher | 16 | 32 |
| Crete (Illinois Lutheran) | 23 | 0 |
| St. Anne | 22 | 15 |
| Peotone | 15 | 17 |

Scoring Drives

(First-Place Event Finishes – Boys)

• 100 Meters: Melvin Jenkins, Peoria (11.33)

• 200 Meters: Melvin Jenkins, Peoria (23.39)

• 400 Meters: Michael Tincher, Momence (52.07)

• 800 Meters: Gunnar Swenson, Somonauk (2:04.68)

• 1600 Meters: Joe Faris, Dwight (4:18.46)

• 3200 Meters: Dierks Knepp, Lowpoint-Washburn (10:34.38)

• 110m Hurdles: Hunter Kaitschuck, Wilmington (15.45)

• 300m Hurdles: Joseph Duffy, Dwight (41.59)

• Relays: Peoria (4×100), Kankakee McNamara (4×200), Somonauk (4×800)

• Shot Put: Graham Meister, Dwight (18.86m)

• Discus: Graham Meister, Dwight (50.83m)

• High Jump: Cam Gunn, Peoria (1.93m)

• Long Jump: Malik Johnson, Peoria (6.97m)

• Triple Jump: Dawveed Holland, Crete Illinois Lutheran (14.57m)

(First-Place Event Finishes – Girls)

• 100 Meters: McKenna Van Tilburg, Wilmington (12.71)

• 200 Meters: McKenna Van Tilburg, Wilmington (26.39)

• 400 Meters: Lexa Porth, Tri-Point (1:05.70)

• 800 Meters: Khloe Miller-Dyrby, Tri-Point (2:32.98)

• 1600 Meters: Mikayla Chambers, Dwight (5:14.15)

• 3200 Meters: Ellison Heineke, Lowpoint-Washburn (12:01.78)

• 100m Hurdles: McKenna Van Tilburg, Wilmington (15.61)

• 300m Hurdles: McKenna Van Tilburg, Wilmington (45.45)

• Relays: Kankakee McNamara (4×100, 4×200), Beecher (4×800)

• Shot Put: Phylicity Leonard, Iroquois West (10.77m)

• Discus: Emma Eggenberger, Dwight (35.03m)

• High Jump: Audrey Griffin, Iroquois West (1.57m)

• Long Jump: Jersey Slone, Kankakee McNamara (4.67m)

• Triple Jump: Delaney Boucher, Dwight (8.76m)

Individual Statistics

• BOYS MULTI-EVENT WINNERS: Melvin Jenkins, Peoria (100m, 200m); Graham Meister, Dwight (Shot Put, Discus).

• GIRLS MULTI-EVENT WINNERS: McKenna Van Tilburg, Wilmington (100m, 200m, 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles).

• BOYS RELAYS: Peoria secured gold in the 4×100 (43.70). Kankakee McNamara won the 4×200 (1:33.76). Somonauk won the 4×800 (8:28.45).

• GIRLS RELAYS: Kankakee McNamara swept the short relays, winning the 4×100 (51.33) and the 4×200 (1:50.16). Beecher claimed the 4×800 (10:56.05).

• MIXED RELAYS: Momence won the mixed 4×100 relay (56.48). Dwight captured the mixed 4×400 relay (3:46.85).