Boys Records
100 Greg Astroth 10.95 2003
110 H.H. Ben Rakers 15.17 2016
200 Blake Markus 22.68 2019
300 I.H. Shane Kuhl 40.2 2008
400 Marcus Price 50.22 2022
800 Kurt Heimann 1:58.6 2004
1600 Will Detmer 4:37.23 2021
3200 Joe Pitt 9:50.1 1985
4 x 100 Karson Fehrmann 43.86 2017
CollinThomas
Bailey Stewart
Tyson Lobb
4 x 200 Karson Fehrmann 1:31.25 2018
Jay Detmer
Tyson Lobb
Hunter Kruep
4 x 400 Noah Hunt 3:27.04 2022
Braden Revermann
Mason Shubert
Marcus Price
4 x 800 Jeff Ratermann 8:27.0 1994
Mike Strubhart
JoelNicklin
Keith Poettker
High Jump Chris Toennies 6' 6" 1982
Long Jump Jake Keck 21' 6" 2008
Shot Put Zach Malcomb 46' 1" 2022
Discus Shane Caraker 144' 7 2018
Triple Jump Chris Toennies 42' 4" 1982
Pole Vault Robert Monken 12' 6" 1982
Girls Records
100 Jena Hemann 11.96 2011
100 H.H. Diane Varel 16.7 2003
200 Jena Hemann 25.17 2010
300 I.H. Trisha Koerkenmeier 48.95 2012
400 Jena Hemann 57.98 2008
800 Beth Heimann 2:13.8 1998
1600 KC Root 5:26.0 2005
3200 Stacie Perez 12:05.8 1987
4 x 100 Jessie Hempen 51.4 2017
Paige Brueggemann
Abbie Horstmann
Faye Meissner
4 x 200 Jessie Hempen 1:51.01 2016
Jordyn Rakers
Paige Brueggemann
Brianna Walker
4 x 400 Lynn Klostermann 4:08.6 2000
Andra Essenpreis
Diane Varel
Beth Heimann
4 x 800 Lynn Klostermann 9:55.9 1999
Jenny Heimann
Melanie Hemker
Beth Heimann
High Jump Jena Hemann 6' 0" 2011
Long Jump Jena Hemann 20' 1.5" 2011
Shot Put Sydney Kuper 37' 5" 2019
Discus Lea Beckemeyer 120' 8" 1997
Triple Jump Jena Hemann 38' 5.25" 2011
Pole Vault Courtney Bassler 7'9" 2023
Central's Track & Field State Medalists
1991 Lana Taylor
1997 Beth Heimann
1998 Beth Heimann
1999 Beth Heimann
2000 Beth Heimann
2000 Lynn Klostermann, Andra Essenpreis, Diane Varel, & Beth Heimann
2004 Kurt Heimann
2005 Amanda Backes
2006 Amanda Backes
2007 Jessica Hemann
2008 Jena Hemann
2008 Jessica Hemann
2008 Jake Keck
2008 Shane Kuhl
2009 Jena Hemann
2010 Jena Hemann
2011 Jena Hemann
2014 Ciara Lohman
2021 Kristen Ess
2021 Marcus Price
Cougar Medal Count = 31 State Track & Field Medals
Central's first athlete to win a state medal in any sport was Lana Taylor. This senior's feat was accomplished in the spring of 1991. Lana accomplished what others hope and that is to save your best for your last meet. Her throw of 118'-5" earned her 5th place at the state tournament for Class A held at Eastern Illinois University. This throw also set a new school record that was held until 1997.
Lana Taylor 1991
Beth Heimann 1997
In 1997, Freshman Beth Heimann was the first individual athlete to win a state championship at Central High School. She won the 800-meter run Class A state title with a time of 2:17.7. Beth had treatment for a sore knee all week previous to the State Meet. At the state meet, Beth responded well to a sore knee and the pressure of being ranked 1st in the state. She won her heat in the preliminary round on Friday and won the State title in the final's race by a margin of 20 meters on Saturday.
In 1998, sophomore Beth Heimann was the first Cougar athlete to win back-to-back State Titles. In 1998, she won her second state title in the 800-meter run. In a strong field, Beth went out fast and held off any challengers during the first lap and continued to increase her lead throughout the second lap. She won that race with a school record time of 2:13.8. This time is the second fastest time in Class A history. She missed the state record by 1.5 seconds.
In 1999, junior Beth Heimann won the 800 meter run for the third straight year. She ran a winning time of 2:15.68. In the preliminary round Beth suffered her only non-first place finish due to illness. The game plan was to make it in the finals and then run a strong race. Her State Championship gives her the opportunity to break the class A record for consecutive titles in the same event. Currently she has tied the record with her third consecutive victory.
In 2000, senior Beth Heimann fell short of obtaining her 4th straight title, which no one has accomplished in Class A. She was battling the flu and illness again this year. She came out of the preliminary round with the fastest time. In the finals Beth ran out of gas on the end of the 2nd lap to receive 4th place with a very good time. She ended her storybook career with another medal in the 1600 relay.
Beth Heimann 1999
4 x 400 Relay 2000
In 2000, the girls also brought home a 9th place medal in the 1600-meter relay. The team of Lynn Klostermann, Andra Essenpreis, Diane Varel and Beth Heimann turned in two very good performances on both days of the track meet. This was the 1st medal achieved by Central's track program in a relay event. They also set a new school record that day.
In 2004, Kurt Heimann ran a 1:58.6 in the preliminary round to advance to the finals. That time also broke the school record. The next day he turned in another gutsy performance to earn an 8th place medal. This was the first boy to have earned a state medal in Track & Field.
Kurt Heimann 2004
Amanda Backes 2005
In 2005, junior Amanda Backes jumped 35’ 7” in the triple jump. She jumped this in the qualifying round and this jumped carried over to the finals. She earned a 6th place medal in the class A triple jump. This was Central’s track program first medal in a jumping event.
In 2006, Amanda Backes was back in the state tournament as a senior. She earned a 5th place Class A medal this year in the triple jump with a leap of 35’ 0”. She is only the 2nd person to earn medals at the state meet twice in her career.
In 2007, junior Jessica Hemann won the class A state High Jump Championship. She made it through the qualifying round with no problems. During the finals she jumped well and was tied for first place. The IHSA then had an unusual jump off for first place. Jessica cleared 5’ 5” on the jump off to win the championship.
Jessica Hemann 2007
Jessica Hemann 2008
In 2008, senior Jessica Hemann broke the school record and gained a 9th place medal in the Triple Jump. She advanced to the finals with good jumps on Friday and set a new school record with her final leap of 36’ ¾” during the finals on Saturday. She closed her tremendous high school career with another medal.
In 2008, freshman Jena Hemann had a spectacular weekend at the state track meet. She made it to the finals in the High Jump, 400 Meter Dash, and the 200 Meter Dash. She was one of 3 high jumpers left on Saturday when she had to leave and run the 400 Meter Dash. She bested her 58.08 from Friday and ran a new school record time of 57.98 to grab the 6th place medal. Going back to high jump she cleared 5’ 6” and another 400 meter dash runner failed to clear. Jena then cleared 5’ 7” and the only girl left failed to clear 5’ 7”. Jena earned the State Championship in the High Jump. Soon after that event and receiving one of her medals, Jena had to turn around and run the 200 Meter Dash. Jena ran a time of 26.04 on Friday and a time of 26.27 on Saturday to earn her 7th place and her 3rd medal of the weekend.
Jena Hemann 2008
Shane Kuhl 2008
In 2008, senior Shane Kuhl ran an outstanding time of 40.41 in the 300 Hurdles to advance to the finals. On Saturday Shane ran a 41.11 time to capture 9th place in the state finals. He was the first person to win a medal in the hurdles.
In 2008, junior Jake Keck jumped well on Friday with a leap of 21’ 3” in the Long Jump. That jump carried over and held on for a 7th place medal. He grabbed the first field event medal for the boys at the state track meet.
Jake Keck 2008
Jena Hemann 2009
In 2009, sophomore Jena Hemann had one of the greatest weekends in state track history. She advanced to state in four different events and placed in all four. She scored enough points in her four events to place 2nd place in the team point totals. She defended her state high jump championship from last year to win in it again. Her jump of 5’ 8” earned her the Class A state championship in an event that few ever repeat. She also earned 2nd place finishes in the Long Jump and Triple Jump. Her leap in the Long jump was a school record leap of 18’ 3½”. Her triple jump went a school record distance as well of 38’ 1½”. After those three events she came back a ran a great 100 meter dash to gain a 3rd place medal with a time of 12.43
In 2010, junior Jena Hemann had the best day possible for an athlete at the state track meet. She was just the second class A athlete to win 4 state titles at the same track meet. She won the Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, and the 100 Meter Dash. Her leap of 19’ 3¼” was a new school record and just off the state record. Then she proceeded to the High Jump where she won with a jump of 5’ 7”. She attempted to go for the state record but just missed on her last attempt clipping the bar with her calves. Then she was rushed over to the triple jump which she won with a leap of 36’ 11¾” from the preliminary round. Her last event was the 100 Meter dash. With a slow start she still overcame the field by the 30 meter mark and had a decisive win.
Jena Hemann 2010
Jena Hemann 2011
In 2011, senior Jena Hemann ended her Cougar track career with another extraordinary performance! She won the State Championship in the Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, and the 100 Meter Dash. Her day started out with a new school and state record in the Long Jump with a leap of 20’ 1½”. She then won her 4th consecutive High Jump title (ties the state record) with a leap of 5’ 7”. Jena attempted 6’and barely missed that height which she cleared at the Sectional Meet the week before. Jena then went on to win the Triple Jump with a leap of 37’ 11¾”. She finished the day and her career with another championship and state record with a time of 12.02 in the 100 Meter Dash.
In 2014, senior Ciara Lohman ended her Cougar track career with Central’s first ever 2A state track medal. She did this placing 8th place in the triple jump. She made it to the finals ranked 12th place from Friday. Saturday she came out and jumped 35’ 8½” on her first jump and vaulted her onto the State 2A Triple Jump Medal Stand.
Ciara Lohman
In 2021 Kristen Ess became Central's second 2A medalist. She was ranked 8th going into the finals, where she ran a gutsy race and finished 8th with a time of 2:22.55
Also in 2021 Marcus Price became Central's first male medalist at the 2A State Track Meet. He finished off his junior year with a 9th place medal in the 400 meter dash, running a school record 50.51
State Qualifiers
1983 400 Meter Dash Kerry Barnhart
1984 3200 Meter Run Joe Pitt
1984 800 Meter Medley Relay Chris Solis
Lori Kruse
Kim Hegger
Kerry Barnhart
1984 3200 Meter Run Joyce Frey
1984 4 x 400 Meter Relay Chris Solis
Tina Wuest
Jane Wuest
Kerry Barnhart
1985 3200 Meter Run Joe Pitt
1987 3200 Meter Run Stacie Perez
1989 4 x 800 Meter Relay Kristen Bequette
Carrie Furman
Angie Tepfer
Tina Schroeder
1989 800 Meter Run Tina Schroeder
1990 4 x 800 Meter Relay Angie Tepfer
Carrie Furman
Jenny Kaegy
Kristen Bequette
1991 4 x 800 Meter Relay Kelly Santel
Craig Revermann
Shane Smothers
Bart Essenpreis
1991 Discus Lana Taylor
1992 Discus Cindy Cox
1992 200 Meter Dash Jenny Kaegy
1993 4 x 800 Meter Relay Keith Poettker
Jeff Ratermann
Mike Strubhart
Craig Revermann
1993 800 Meter Run Craig Revermann
1994 4 x 800 Meter Relay Jeff Ratermann
Joel Nicklin
Mike Strubhart
Keith Poettker
1995 800 Meter Medley Relay Elisa Alvarez
Carrie Dierkes
Jodie Hempen
Amanda Dorries
1995 4 x 100 Relay Elisa Alvarez
Laura Hansen
Jodie Hempen
Carrie Dierkes
1995 4 x 200 Relay Laura Hansen
Amanda Dorries
Jodie Hempen
Carrie Dierkes
1995 200 Meter Dash Jodie Hempen
1996 Discus Scott Wesselmann
1996 800 Meter Medley Relay Laura Hansen
Cassie Rolfingsmeier
Carrie Dierkes
Lynette Wellen
1996 4 x 800 Meter Relay Jill Strieker
Amy Nettemeier
Erin Rinderer
Angie Blumenstein
1996 4 x 400 Meter Relay Erin Rinderer
Carrie Dierkes
Amanda Dorries
Lynette Wellen
1996 Discus Lea Beckemeyer
1996 High Jump Amanda Dorries
1997 800 Meter Run Nathan Huegen
1997 4 x 800 Meter Relay Amy Nettemeier
Angie Blumenstein
Melanie Hemker
Beth Heimann
1997 800 Meter Run Beth Heimann
1997 4 x 400 Meter Relay Angie Blumenstein
Lynette Wellen
Amy Heimann
Beth Heimann
1997 Discus Lea Beckemeyer
1998 800 Meter Run Nathan Huegen
1998 4 x 400 Meter Relay Melanie Hemker
Angie Blumenstein
Lynette Wellen
Beth Heimann
1998 800 Meter Run Beth Heimann
1998 300 Intermediate Hurdles Tiffany Albers
1998 4 x 400 Meter Relay Melanie Hemker
Lynette Wellen
Deanna Koopmann
Beth Heimann
1999 400 Meter Dash Kevin Switala
1999 200 Meter Dash Kevin Switala
1999 4 x 400 Meter Relay Lynn Klostermann
Jenny Heimann
Melanie Hemker
Beth Heimann
1999 800 Meter Run Beth Heimann
1999 400 Meter Dash Lynn Klostermann
1999 4 x 400 Meter Relay Lynn Klostermann
Melanie Hemker
Jenni Johnson
Beth Heimann
2000 800 Meter Run Tim Detmer
2000 400 Meter Dash Kevin Switala
2000 200 Meter Dash Kevin Switala
2000 4 x 800 Meter Relay Lynn Klostermann
Jenny Heimann
Jill Foppe
Beth Heimann
2000 800 Meter Run Beth Heimann
2000 300 Hurdles Diane Varel
2000 4 x 400 Meter Relay Lynn Klostermann
Andra Essenpreis
Diane Varel
Beth Heimann
2001 3200 Meter Run Jenny Heimann
2001 1600 Meter Run Jenny Heimann
2002 3200 Meter Run T. J. Tebbe
2002 100 Meter Dash P. J. Ratermann
2002 Shot Put Ed Monken
2002 High Jump Diane Varel
2003 4 x 200 Meter Relay Tyler Behrmann
Jared Luebbers
Greg Astroth
P.J. Ratermann
2004 800 Meter Run Kurt Heimann
2004 800 Meter Relay John Luebbers
Don Petterson
Greg Astroth
P.J. Ratermann
2004 4 x 400 Meter Relay Greg Astroth
Don Petterson
P.J. Ratermann
Kurt Heimann
2004 Long Jump Greg Astroth
2004 Triple Jump Amanda Backes
2005 4 x 800 Meter Relay Katelin Wiegmann
Brooke Koerkenmeier
Shanna Strieker
KC Root
2005 Long Jump Amanda Backes
2005 Triple Jump Amanda Backes
2006 800 Meter Medley Relay Ashlee O’Connell
Abbie Beer
Amanda Backes
KC Root
2006 4 x 800 Meter Relay Shanna Strieker
Katelin Wiegmann
Brooke Koerkenmeier
Jenna Norrenberns
2006 Long Jump Amanda Backes
2006 Triple Jump Amanda Backes
2007 4 x 100 Meter Relay Zach Hagen
Shane Kuhl
Brennan Richter
Jake Keck
2007 400 Meter Dash Jake Keck
2007 300 Hurdles Shane Kuhl
2007 Long Jump Jake Keck
2007 800 Meter Run KC Root
2007 300 Hurdles Tami Poettker
2007 4 x 400 Meter Relay Tami Poettker
Katelin Wiegmann
Jessica Hemann
KC Root
2007 High Jump Jessica Hemann
2007 Long Jump Abbie Beer
2008 4 x 100 Meter Relay Zach Hagen
Shane Kuhl
Brennan Richter
Jake Keck
2008 300 Hurdles Shane Kuhl
2008 Long Jump Jake Keck
2008 800 Meter Run KC Root
2008 400 Meter Dash Jena Hemann
2008 300 Hurdles Tami Poettker
2008 200 Meter Dash Jena Hemann
2008 Long Jump Jena Hemann
2008 Triple Jump Jessica Hemann
2008 High Jump Jena Hemann
2008 High Jump Jessica Hemann
2009 Long Jump Jena Hemann
2009 High Jump Jena Hemann
2009 Triple Jump Jena Hemann
2009 100 Meter Dash Jena Hemann
2010 Long Jump Jena Hemann
2010 High Jump Jena Hemann
2010 Triple Jump Jena Hemann
2010 100 Meter Dash Jena Hemann
2011 Triple Jump Andy Schulte
2011 Long Jump Jena Hemann
2011 High Jump Jena Hemann
2011 Triple Jump Jena Hemann
2011 100 Meter Dash Jena Hemann
2013 Triple Jump Ciara Lohman
2014 Triple Jump Ciara Lohman
2015 100 Meter Dash Faye Meissner
2017 110 Hurdles Ben Rakers
2017 400 Meter Dash Collin Thomas
2018 4 x 200 Meter Relay Karson Fehrmann
Jay Detmer
Tyson Lobb
Hunter Kruep
2018 4 x 400 Meter Relay Karson Fehrmann
Hunter Strubhart
Garrett Richter
Hunter Kruep
2018 110 High Hurdles Jay Detmer
2018 300 Hurdles Jay Detmer
2019 110 High Hurdles Justin Huelsmann
2019 200 Meter Dash Blake Markus
2021 Shot Put Brianna Markus
2021 Long Jump Morgan Ahle
2021 200 Meter Dash Morgan Ahle
2021 800 Meter Run Kristen Ess
2021 800 Meter Run Will Detmer
2021 400 Meter Dash Marcus Price
2022 400 Meter Dash Marcus Price
2022 4x400 Meter Relay Noah Hunt
Braden Revermann
Mason Subert
Marcus Price
2023 4x400 Meter Relay Noah Hunt
Braden Revermann
Cole Buschmann
Mason Shubert