BHRA’s Thomason clearing barriers with ease, state bound in multiple events

BHRA’s Thomason clearing barriers with ease, state bound in multiple events

CATLIN, Ill. (WCIA) – Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin senior Natalie Thomason didn’t run hurdles from 2022-2025. It appears much differently.

Thomason is state bound in the 100 and 300 hurdles, winning a sectional title in both on Wednesday at the 1A Salt Fork sectional – including a personal best 15.42 to win the 100 hurdles.

If she makes jumping over barriers in the middle of the race look easy, perhaps it’s not shocking she jumps over a bar in an impressive manner, too. Thomason added a sectional high jump title to lock up another spot at the IHSA girls’ track and field state meet. She cleared a bar of 1.62 meters (5 feet, 3.75 inches), a season best on her way to the sectional crown.

Thomason says her extended community, even beyond the four towns listed in the Blue Devils’ full school name, has been supportive as she experiences a breakout senior track campaign.

Plus, despite going to state in each of the previous three years, it’s not something she takes for granted.

“People think like ‘Oh, I’ve been to state before, it’s not that big of a deal.’ Like I worked so hard – I work on off offseason and winter,” Thomason told WCIA. “I work really hard to be able to go to state… My family puts in a lot of money and effort and they’re so supportive so that helps me out a lot.”

BHRA was also the team champ at Wednesday’s sectional meet in Catlin, click here for more IHSA girls’ sectional results.

WCIA is bringing viewers a feature story on one local high school track and field athlete each day leading up to the boys’ and girls’ state meets. Check out other stories below:

• Maroa-Forysth’s Eighner sets sights on IHSA state title before running in Big Ten
• Lewandowski upholding high standard for Centennial track

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