Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of The Month: Lilly Hannigan Caps Another 'Dynamic' Track and Field Season At Marquette

ALTON — Lilly Hannigan, who recently completed her junior year at Marquette Catholic, has emerged as a key contributor for the Explorers’ track and field team, with coach Billy Sprague describing her as “a dynamic athlete” and a leader for the team in 2026.

Lilly Hannigan is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of The Month for Marquette Catholic High School.

Hannigan has been an important member of Marquette’s 4x100-meter relay in recent years. On May 6, 2026, she was part of the foursome that placed third at the Gateway Metro Track and Field Championships with a time of 53.84. She ran the second leg on a team that won a five-way meet at Southwestern on April 21, 2026, in 54.39, and also competed with Karly Davenport, Madison Bassett and Bailyn Allen at the IHSA Sectional at Springfield Southeast, where the team posted a 52.99.

Sprague said Hannigan’s leadership has stood out, both in competition and in practice.

Hannigan has Type I diabetes and wears a sensor to monitor her blood sugars.

“She has to be on top of her game, getting herself mentally and physically prepared. Lilly has to check her (blood sugar) levels before and after her races and know where her levels are. It is tough being diabetic, especially in track.

"I am diabetic and a lot of activity, Lilly pushes through and is tough,” Billy said. “I love her vocal leadership; she is not afraid to push her teammates in practice. She was one of the ones who saw 4 x 100 had a chance to make it to state last year and said we need to be working with block work and step work and do it a lot before the sectional. That came from Lilly's leadership, and they made it to state in the 4 x 100 relay last year. She uses the voice to set the expectation. She is an organic leader.”

Individually, she posted her best 200-meter time of the season, 27.75, at the Gateway Metro Track and Field Championship. In the 400, she won both the Civic Memorial Outdoor Opener and the Roxana Coed Open, recording times of 1:06.74 and 1:06.04, respectively.

Hannigan was also a state qualifier last year as a member of the 4x100 relay, and her leg played a key role in the Explorers’ qualification.

Sprague said her value to the program extends across multiple events.

“She wants the challenge in practice and in meets. She has done a lot for this team the last three years,” he said. “She also ran part of the 4 x 800 relay that was part of the indoor school record. She is part of the outdoor school record in the 4 x 100 relay event. She has run the 100, the 200, the 400, and can long jump. She was also a state qualifier last year.”

He summed up Hannigan as “a fierce competitor" and has a bright future for Marquette and possibly a college team in the future.

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