TUSCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) – Tuscola girls’ track and field is hoping to leave Charleston with an even better trophy in 2025.

The Warriors finished second on the team podium in 2024, trailing only Father McGivney by 11.5 points.

Tuscola returns a multi-time state champion in sprinter/ hurdler Lia Patterson.

Patterson won both the 300 hurdles and 100 hurdles as a junior, while taking third in both the 100 and 200.

“Really just going into Thursday and Saturday and just really excited and having a lot of family and friends cheer me on,” Patterson shared. “So I’m very much looking forward to it this year.”

She won the 200, both hurdle races and was part of the top-finishing 4×200 meter relay at Tuscola’s sectional meet.

In the distance events, Kate Foltz secured two victories for the Warriors, contributing to their team title win at sectionals. Foltz claimed first place in both the 1600 and 3200 races. She had previously finished third in the 3200 at state as a sophomore back in 2024.

“My motivation is just say, you know, do your best that you can in the moment and that’s all you can do,” she said.

Foltz’ junior campaign is already an impressive one. She set a new 1A meet record at the state cross country meet, winning with a time of 15:59.

“We’re focusing on a big mantra right now, one day at a time,” remarked Drew Sterkel, the head girls’ track coach at Tuscola. “In particular for our seniors, we recognize it could be their last opportunity to participate. We’re optimistic they’ll have two more opportunities. Hopefully, we can send a lot of athletes forward on Saturday.”

Action begins on Thursday, May 22 in Charleston for the IHSA girls’ state track and field meet.