Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month: Edwardsville’s Sophie Shapiro Earns Four Medals and is Catalyst at State

CHARLESTON - Sophie Shapiro of Edwardsville returned Saturday, May 23, 2026, from the IHSA Class 3A State Girls Track and Field Meet with four medals, including a state title in the 300-meter hurdles. She said sharing the team championship with Homewood-Flossmoor was what made her most proud of the entire weekend.

Shapiro finished first in the 300 hurdles in 41.29, took second in the 100 hurdles in 13.79 behind Conant’s Daisha Brunson, who won in 13.67, and ran on Edwardsville’s third-place 4x100 relay and eighth-place 4x400 relay. The meet marked a demanding finish to a long season for Shapiro and her team.

In the 300 hurdles, Shapiro won the state championship with a time of 41.29. Brisline Lankah of Plainfield East was second.

In the 100 hurdles, Shapiro placed second in 13.79. Brunson won the event in 13.67.

Shapiro also helped Edwardsville place third in the 4x100 relay in 46.58 and eighth in the 4x400 relay in 3:56.97.

After the 100 hurdles, Shapiro said she needed time to regroup.

“I took a 15-minute nap after the 100-meter hurdles to calm my emotions,” she said. “I then talked to my coach and calmed myself for what was left.”

She said that the approach helped her recover in time for the 300 hurdles.

“Whatever works, I got myself together and won state in the 300 hurdles,” she said. “The 100 hurdles finish is the cherry on top of it. I couldn’t be more proud of what I did, the work I did, and I have such a great coach behind me.”

Shapiro said the 300-meter hurdles' accomplishment carried special meaning.

“I received All-American honors last summer in the 400 hurdles, but winning the 300 hurdles and all of this means more to me to share it with my coach and teammates."

She also described how physically hard the Friday and Saturday state competition was on her, competing in eight events.

“It was a very long day," she said. " I am hurting all over; the 4 x 400 relay was my eighth event in 48 hours,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said she was proud of Edwardsville and the broader Southern Illinois regional showing at the meet.

“It was a very long season. I am proud of my team and teammates, and all of Southern Illinois has had such a strong presence up here,” she said.

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