The Newton Lady Eagles wrapped up their 2026 track and field season with an impressive showing at the IHSA Class 1A State Finals on May 23 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, bringing home multiple state medals against the top competition in Illinois.
The highlight of the day came from Newton’s 4×100 relay team of freshman Emma Schumacher, freshman Mariah McVicar, senior Morgan Schafer and sophomore Stella Schackmann. The Lady Eagles sprint relay team raced to a third-place finish in Class 1A with a time of 49.46 seconds, earning All-State honors and bringing home state medals.
Newton’s relay squad had been dominant throughout the postseason and once again delivered on the state stage. Schafer provided veteran leadership as the lone senior on the relay, while Schumacher, McVicar and Schackmann showcased the young talent that helped power the Lady Eagles throughout the season.
Schackmann also earned an individual state medal in the 100-meter dash finals. The sophomore placed eighth overall in Class 1A with a time of 12.67 seconds against one of the strongest sprint fields in the state. After advancing through preliminaries earlier in the weekend, Schackmann capped off an outstanding state meet by medaling in both individual and relay competition.
Newton also added another medal-winning performance in the 4×800 relay. The team of senior Layna Marshall, sophomore Avery Geier, freshman Brooke Gentry and junior Grace Schumacher finished ninth overall with a season-best time of 9:51.35 to secure a place on the medal stand.
Marshall opened the race with a split of 2:24.47, followed by Geier at 2:24.32. Gentry ran a strong 2:28.71 leg before Schumacher anchored the relay in 2:33.85 as the Lady Eagles battled through a deep and competitive field.
The strong performances capped off another successful season for Newton girls track and field. With multiple state medals earned and several underclassmen returning next season, the Lady Eagles closed the year with momentum and another memorable showing at the IHSA State Finals.
