Oilers girls post strong marks against top Southern Illinois field at Collinsville invitational
East Alton-Wood River’s girls track and field team faced one of its toughest tests of the season Friday at the Lady Kahok Invitational in Collinsville, and the Oilers continued to show progress against a loaded Southern Illinois field. East Alton-Wood River came away with several near-medal finishes in the field events and a string of personal records on the track.
Brooklyn Rexford and Kylah Wreath led the Oilers in the field events, where East Alton-Wood River narrowly missed medals in both the long jump and shot put by inches. Competing against some of the area’s best athletes, the Oilers stayed in contention in multiple events and turned in performances that reflected the growth of a young roster late in the season.
On the track, Eleanor Brame and Braelyn Hartkopf each set personal records in the 800 meters, continuing a steady upward trend for the Oilers’ distance group. Tara Jones added another PR in the 400, while Dyari McGee recorded a personal best in the demanding 300 low hurdles. Those efforts gave East Alton-Wood River a productive day on the track.
The meet served as another measuring stick for an Oilers team that has continued to improve its times and distances as the postseason approaches. Going up against elite competition at Collinsville provided valuable experience, especially for a squad that has shown development across both the running and field events throughout the spring.
East Alton-Wood River now turns its attention to the Cahokia Conference Championship at Freeburg next Wednesday, followed by sectionals the next week. For a young Oilers team, Friday’s invitational offered more evidence that the group is moving in the right direction at the right time.
