Naperville Central flashes past Naperville North for DVC title

One unique aspect of an indoor girls track and field meet comes early as the two shortest races - the 55-meter hurdles and its dash equivalent - arrive in back-to-back fashion.

It was 36 points in a flash for Naperville Central on Thursday night at North Central College.

The Redhawks swept the 55-meter events and later added a clean sweep of the 200-meter dash to counteract the distance brilliance of reigning Class 3A cross champion Naperville North.

Naperville Central accrued 143.33 points to upend its sister school by 10-plus points in capturing the indoor DuPage Valley Conference championship in Naperville.

Wheaton Warrenville South was a distant third, followed by Glenbard North, Lake Park and Wheaton North.

"We haven't won the DVC since 2002," said Naperville Central junior sprint star D'Jenne Egharevba. "This meet really means a lot to get first places."

Moments after senior Jada Haynes nipped teammate Josilyn Dostal by three-hundredths in the hurdles, Egharevba was a tenth faster than Alissa Gorzak in the dash.

Egharevba later came back to win the 200 - by one-hundredth over Gorzak - to complete the Redhawks' sweep of the three shortest races.

The four speedsters also collaborated to establish a new conference record in the 800-meter relay in 1 minute, 47.02 seconds, more than six seconds faster than runner-up Naperville North.

Dostal began her evening by leaping 17 feet, 8 inches to win the long jump.

"I was really happy with myself," the junior said. "(My distance) was almost state-qualifying. That's a pretty deal that we did that (score 54 points three shortest events)."

Dostal claimed a third championship by dominating the triple jump with an 18-inch triumph over the Huskies' Dawn Wang.

"We've got some big guns who can get some big points," Naperville Central coach Mike Stine said. "We knew we're going to get some front-end points. To win a conference championship, you have to get some sixths, some fifths, some fourths."

The Redhawks' sprinting prowess overshadowed an equally compelling night for the Naperville North distance crew.

Judy Pendergast duplicated the feat of Naperville Central senior Rachel Hoffman from last year with an impressive double in the 800 and 1,600 runs.

The Huskies' junior, with less than 40 minutes' rest, won the 1,600 in 5:02.42 after claiming the shorter version in 2:17.05.

Approximating the sprinting results, the Huskies' Jenny Gibson and Sarah Schmitt were runners-up at 800 and 1,600 meters.

"I wanted to do really well in the mile," Pendergast said. "Two mile is something I want to work on (outdoors). It was my first time doing (the double). I wanted to really help my team."

Sisters Claire and Emily Hamilton followed the Huskies' meet-opening 3,200 relay victory with another one-two finish for Naperville North in the open variety.

Elly DeTurris was on both of the Huskies' 1,600 and 3,200 relay championship units.

"Our distance squad is ridiculously strong," Naperville North coach Joanna Wilson said.

Three years ago, Alex Enright secured back-to-back team titles for WW South by anchoring the 1,600 relay to victory.

Thursday night, Enright showcased her evolving skills by winning the high jump and placing runner-up in the shot put.

"I always love a challenge," Enright said.

Lake Park senior Danielle Wojciechowski denied returning WW South all-stater Heidi Nassos to win the pole vault.

The Lancers' Michaela Smith turned back Enright in the shot put.