Warren's Ellis gears up for big finish with 3 sectional wins

Warren senior Brittny Ellis has made it look easy this season, including in Friday night's Class 3A sectional in Palatine.

Ellis took first in the 100-meter dash (12.16) and also won the 200 (24.46) and 400 (54.87). She'll head to the Class 3A state meet at Eastern Illinois next weekend as the favorite in all three events.

"She may make it look easy," said Warren coach Ryan Dunn of his senior star, "but it's from incredible hard work. She's focused and she's determined. Obviously, getting the job done tonight is the first mark on her checklist of what she is going for when she gets down to Charleston."

Barrington stormed to the Mid-Suburban League title last week, and the Fillies kept things rolling on Friday winning four events and capturing the team title with 104.25 points. Warren took second with 88 points, followed by Palatine (63), Grayslake Central (37.25) and host Fremd (37 points).

Barrington showed its strength by qualifying seven individuals in nine events, and also qualifying all four relays.

Once again the relays pushed Barrington's attack, as senior Nina Hodges, junior Sara Kate Capel, senior Liz Nykaza, and sophomore Kelsey McLaurin powered the Fillies to the title in the 800 relay (1:42.01). Barrington then capped its night by taking first in the 1,600 relay (3:55.38). Sophomore Addi Coy delivered the knockout punch in the third leg, with McLaurin sealing the victory with the anchor leg.

"We have definitely improved a lot since last season and we're looking to go down state and hit on all cylinders," said McLaurin, who also took second place in the triple jump (37-02) and was part of the third place 400 relay that qualified for state. "We all have worked hard and have a positive vibe."

In the 300 low hurdles, Coy (44.17) and Capel (45.90) went 1-2. Senior Nina Hodges took second in 200 (25.30) and tied for second in the 100 (12.51), while freshman Jocelyn Long took first in the 3,200 (10:52.63) and added a seventh-place finish in the 1,600. Senior Jada Jones took third in the long jump (17-07) along with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump (36-00) in powering a dominant Fillies attack. Barrington also advanced its 3,200 relay.

"We're right where we want to be," said Coy. "I think we're a different team this year and we're maturing at each meet."

Ellis started her night off with a clean victory in the 100 dash before flashing her championship form in cruising to the 400 title and capped her night with a smooth victory in the 200.

"I'm definitely feeling very confident," said Ellis. "I'm just excited to move on to state. I'd like to win all three events."

Warren also took first in the 400 relay (48.74) and added a third-place finish in the 1,600 relay. Senior Keely Knobbe added a first-place finish in the discus (131-11) and sophomore Abena Atuobi took second in the shot put (38-01.5).

Palatine also made its mark with its relays. Senior Megan Beach, senior Kara Burton, sophomore Anna Buckstaff and junior Kelly O'Brien combined to push Palatine to first in the 3,200 (9:11.96), where the Pirates held off a hard-charging Fremd (9:13.62). O'Brien came back to capture first in the 1,600 (4:57.54).

"I just wanted to control the pace in the 1,600," said O'Brien. "It was good confidence-booster. We just keep the tradition going."

Palatine also showed plenty of promise in taking second in both the 400 relay (48.77) and 800 relay (1:43.10), along with a third-place effort in the 1,600 relay (3:59.68).

Other qualifiers for Palatine included senior Caitlin Riedy (300 low hurdles), senior Gabbie Heidrich (triple jump), junior Sam Lechowicz (1,600), and senior Amy Kielszewski (3,200).

Junior Katie Schroeder gave Grayslake Central a huge lift by winning pole vault (11-06), with junior Alexa Smith adding a third-place finish in the 300 low hurdles (45.97).

Host Fremd also made quite an impression. The Viking qualified three relays - the 800 (1:45.19), 1,600 (3:58.87), and 3,200 (9:13.62).

Senior Ayako Higuchi (5:02.06) and senior Katie Escobar (5:08.53) went 2-3 in the 1,600 for the Vikings.

"We didn't win the 3,200 relay, but we ended up with a crazy time," said Escobar of the 3,200 relay. "We hope to keep dropping time and make a special mark at state."

Fremd sophomore Kailyn Bryk qualified for state with a sixth-place finish in the triple jump.

Grayslake North junior Allison O'Connell (15.14) and Stevenson junior Janine Fajardo (15.41) went 1-2 in the 100 high hurdles.

Lakes senior Danielle Griesbaum (2:16.84) held off Libertyville's Avryl Johnson (2:17.97) and Stevenson freshman Isabelle Sparreo (2:18.04) to capture the 800 title. Johnson took second in the 400 (59.33).

Waukegan senior Cheyenne White captured victories in the long jump (18-07) and triple jump (38-03), and Zion-Benton junior Raven Morris took first in the shot put (39-00).