CHARLESTON — Senior Ruthie Welch ran the 11th-fastest time this morning in the 800-meter state prelims, qualifying her for Saturday's IHSA Class A championship race.

Welch ran the two laps at O'Brien Stadium in 2 minutes, 21.81 seconds — faster than her winning time at last week's sectional meet (2:22.37) but slower than her personal best (2:20.49), set at Monday's News-Gazette Honor Roll Meet.

The top 12 runners out of a field of 30 this morning advanced to the finals. Defending state champ Stephanie Brown of Tri-Valley had the fastest time out of the three prelim heats, 2:16.37.

Here are the complete results from today's 800 prelims, as reported by the IHSA:

• Class A 800-Meter Prelims Heat No. 1
  1. Kelly Curran (so), Bloomington (Central Catholic), 2:18.72 *qualifier*
  2. Leeann Michl (jr), Newton, 2:19.46 *qualifier*
  3. Kara Howell (jr), Port Byron (Riverdale), 2:21.57 *qualifier*
  4. Ruthie Welch (sr), Urbana (University), 2:21.81 *qualifier*
  5. K C Root (sr), Breese (Central), 2:26.20
  6. Kindra Emberton (fr), Niantic (Sangamon Valley), 2:26.81
  7. Jessica Brunner (so), Stockton (Coop), 2:27.00
  8. Mandy Wirtjes (sr), Tremont, 2:35.21
  xx — Katie Drendel (sr), Petersburg (PORTA) (Coop), DNS
  xx — Stephanie Simpson (fr), Chicago (Luther North), DNS
  xx — Taylor Nieders (so), Elmwood (Coop), DNS

• Class A 800-Meter Prelims Heat No. 2
  1. Aftan Noon (sr), Warrensburg (W.-Latham) (Coop), 2:19.26 *qualifier*
  2. Jodi Hoekstra (sr), Palos Heights (Chicago Christian), 2:19.48 *qualifier*
  3. Erika Ramos (jr), Hoopeston (H. Area), 2:19.86 *qualifier*
  4. Amanda Trancoso (jr), Sterling (Newman Central Catholic), 2:20.93 *qualifier*
  5. Carson Day (fr), Arthur (Coop), 2:24.13
  6. Anna Morgan (sr), Aurora (A. Christian), 2:25.46
  7. Kaitlyn Baker (sr), Stillman Valley, 2:25.80
  8. Megan Petty (so), Coal City, 2:28.53
  9. Alyssa Matz (so), Lena (L.-Winslow), 2:29.03
  10. Tonya Tuttle (jr), Harrisburg, 2:37.89
  11. Emily Reid (so), Carlinville, 2:38.28

• Class A 800-Meter Prelims Heat No. 3
  1. Stephanie Brown (jr), Downs (Tri-Valley), 2:16.37 *qualifier*
  2. Regina George (jr), Chicago (St. Gregory), 2:17.90 *qualifier*
  3. Lauren Adcock (so), Moweaqua (Central A & M), 2:20.46 *qualifier*
  4. Shelbie Pettie (jr), Sherrard, 2:23.90 *qualifier*
  5. Lesli Kline (jr), Bushnell (B.-Prairie City) (Coop), 2:28.20
  6. Aimee Sims (fr), Kankakee (McNamara), 2:28.43
  7. Elizabeth Bell (so), Anna (A.-Jonesboro), 2:29.88
  8. Hannah Booker (fr), Tremont, 2:32.11
  9. Jasmine Penny (sr), Sparta, 2:34.89
  10. Lucy Cramsey (jr), Liberty (Coop), 2:36.67
  11. Ashley Deters (fr), Neoga, 2:40.66
  xx — Dana Delaney (sr), Litchfield, DNS

The Class A finals in the 800 will begin 1:50 p.m. Saturday at O'Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.