Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete Of The Month: Sarah Rider Caps Breakthrough Season With State Hurdles Run

After earning her spot with a sectional breakthrough, the Civic Memorial hurdler described the state experience as intense, new and deeply satisfying.

May 22, 2026 2:27 PM May 22, 2026 2:46 PM Save

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Sarah is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for CM.

“It is definitely a little overwhelming, new experience in hurdles, felt good and landed a P.R. here, really proud of myself and teammate Allie Kamp and Kaylee Shields,” Rider said.

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Rider said reaching the state meet came after steady progress during the season.

“I got a PR at sectional in the 100 hurdles and was close to breaking 16 seconds, running state-qualifying times all season, so to make it was crazy,” she said. “My coaches were all very supportive of me; I’m grateful to have them as coaches.”

In addition to hurdles, Rider also competed in the jumps this postseason. She placed fifth in the sectional in the triple jump with a leap of 10.47 meters and was 10th in the long jump at 4.66 meters.

Looking ahead, Rider said she has high expectations for her final high school season.

“I am super stoked for senior year, to take better care of myself and take senior year more seriously, and then attend Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington to compete in track and field. Next year, my senior year, will be great,” she said. “I know I can go big with it.”

She expects big things in 2027.

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