Warrior Alumni Impress at CCIW Championship

Two Wheaton Academy track and field alumni won various events at the 2021 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships, competing for Wheaton College. Jonah Jones '17 was named the CCIW Track Athlete of the Year for winning the 3,000m steeplechase (9:19.95) and the 5,000m run (15:07.16) while Alyssa Mantia '19 won the 10,000m run (37:26.08). 

Mantia earned First-Team All-Region by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for her performance during the 2021 indoor season, ranking third in the conference in the 3,000m run. Jones ranks fifth all-time in Thunder history for his race on Saturday at the CCIW Championships in the steeplechase, sitting right behind Wheaton Academy Head Girls Track and Field Coach, Daniel Ball '03 who ranks fourth.

"Jones is definitely deserving of the award.  He is a hard worker and gives it his all.  Back in the day, he was balancing track/tennis, he would come out to the track with me during his 6th-period study hall and do the track workout planned for the day because he had tennis practice after school and couldn't be at our practice.  He was all-in with whatever he did and wanted to be the best he could, Chris Felinski, Head Boys Track and Field Coach said. "At the state final his senior year, he made the finals, and in the prelims set a career-best, and became the second-fastest athlete to ever run the 1600m at Wheaton Academy (behind Matt Field) running a 4:24.  He was a leader as he was a captain of the team. 

"Mantia is one of the most talented runners to come through Wheaton Academy," said Ball. "Her senior year at WA, she trained through the winter and came into the season ready to compete. She focused on the 3200m and eventually ran an 11:40, finishing second at the Sectional finals. Mantia qualified for state, where she ended up finishing 10th at the State finals in the 3200m. She is one of the most talented athletes we have ever seen, so it is not particularly surprising that she won the CCIW conference 10k, even though she is only a sophomore.