Setting a new record and making history, Peoria Notre Dame junior C.J. Elward’s state title helped blaze a new trail last month at the Illinois High School Association Class 2A boys state finals track and field meet.

Elward won the gold medal in the 3,200 meter run at the May 30 state finals held in Charleston. He crossed the finish line with a time of 9:24.35. Alongside his first place medal, he also recorded a top-10 finish in the 1,600 meter run, finishing sixth with a time of 4:27.08.

Because it was the first Class 2A boys state track meet in the IHSA’s new three-class system, Elward’s gold medal finish was an automatic state record. It was also a first in Peoria Notre Dame’s track and field history.

He is the son of Clay and Kelley Elward, members of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Morton.