Girls track/ State meet scouting, Northwest

Girls track/ State meet scouting, Northwest

Where: O'Brien Stadium at Eastern Ilinois University, Charleston

Thursday prelims: Class 1A field events 10 a.m., running events 11 a.m.

Friday prelims: Class 2A field events 8:00 a.m, running events 9:00 a.m.; Class 3A field events noon, running events 12:55 p.m.

Saturday: Class 1A, 2A, 3A finals, 10:00 a.m.

Quick takesTwo-time defending champion Lincoln-Way East has it eyes on a third consecutive title, and the Griffins seem to be in good position to accomplish that feat after qualifying four relays and 10 individuals. Junior Asia Brown holds the top sectional time in the 100 dash and will also be a key member of the sprint relays. Lincoln-Way East has the potential to score in 10 of the 18 events; keep an eye on their 400, 800 and 1,600 relays. Homewood Flossmoor senior Jayla Stewart is a strong favorite to win the 100 high hurdles and also will challenge for the 100 dash and 200 dash titles; she will be a key figure as the Vikings pursue a state trophy. Warren senior Brittny Ellis enters the state meet with the top sectional marks in the 200 dash and 400; she will also be a threat in the 100 dash could help elevate the Blue Devils to a coveted state trophy. Oak Park-River Forest also looks tough in the sprint relays after hitting a sectional-best in the 800 relay and will be in contention for a state tropy. Mother McAuley senior Briana Driver is one of the top individuals and enters the state meet with top sectional mark in the long jump and second-best mark in the 100 dash.

Local focus: Barrington won a state title in 2007 and finished second in 2008, and the Fillies aim to be in the hunt for a trophy again this weekend. Barrington has shown from start to finish this spring that it is probably one of top all-around track programs in Illinois. The Fillies won the Homewood Flossmoor Invite, their own invite, the Glenbard West Invite and the Palatine Relays. The Fillies did not let up in the postseason, winning their seventh Mid-Suburban League title and taking first at the Fremd sectional, where they qualified six individuals in nine events and also qualified four relays. The Fillies could be the one squad to challenge Lincoln-Way East for the Class 3A title. Barrington will rely on its potent sprint relays, especially its 1,600 relay which could earn a state title. Palatine junior Kelly O'Brien is the top seed in the 1,600 and anchors the 3,200 relay, which is also a top seed. Junior Maya Mason (100 high hurdles) and junior Jes Skudlarek (high jump) will pace a strong Prospect squad; both have state medal aspirations. Fremd also is looking sharp in the 3,200 relay, where it earned the second-best sectional mark. Palatine and Fremd put on a memorable sectional performance last Friday in the 3,200 relay and the two crosstown rivals could be slugging it out for the state title on Saturday.

Barrington: Jada Jones (long jump, triple jump), Kelsey McLaurin (triple jump), Jocelyn Long (1,600, 3,200), Nina Hodges (100 dash, 200 dash), Addi Coy (300 low hurdles), Sara Kate Capel (300 hurdles) plus the 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 relays. The Fillies are deep and talented, giving coach Jody Gitelis plenty of options in the relays. Hodges, Coy, McLaurin, Capel power the sprint relays. Long has had an outstanding season and figures to challenge for a medal in the 3,200. Coy and Hodges are a pair of aces. Coy has emerged as one of the top all-around runners in Illinois this season and enters with the third-best mark in the 300 low hurdles and will be a difference maker in the 400, 800, and 1,600 relay. Hodges will look to make her mark in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 relays. The pieces are in place for a memorable weekend.

Palatine: Gabbie Heidrich (triple jump), Amy Kielieszewski (3,200 ), Caitlin Riedy (300 low hurdles), Kelly O'Brien (1,600), Sam Lechowicz (1,600), plus the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays. All eyes will be on O'Brien, who enters with the top sectional mark in the 1,600. She has earned a total of four state medals in track and cross country, including finishing second in Class 3A in the 1,600 last season. She is a difference-maker and will also anchor the terrific 3,200 relay which delivered the top sectional mark. The Pirates also look very strong in the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays.

Prospect: Brenda Kendziera (long jump), Cassidy Selep (pole vault, high jump, 100 high hurdles), Jess Skudlarek (high jump), Angela Roman (shot put), Brooke Wilson (1,600, 3,200), Maya Mason (100 high hurdles), 400 relay. Prospect once again showed its strength in the field events this season, as Skudlarek will be in the hunt for a state title in the high jump. Selep has had an outstanding season and qualified in three events. Mason is looking smooth in the 100 high hurdles and will be seeking her second consecutive state medal.

Fremd: Kailyn Bryk (triple jump), Ayako Higuchi (1,600), Katie Escobar (1,600) plus the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays. The Vikings have had an impressive season. Higuchi will be a contender in the 1,600 and will combine with Escobar, Nora Finegan, and Lauren Ciardiello for the 3,200 relay. A real surprise this season has been the Vikings' 1,600 relay that hit an impressive 3:58.87 at the sectional meet.

Wheeling: Ashley Talken (pole vault), Alanah Greenberg (shot put), Michaela Vasey (shot put), Timber Terrell (triple jump), Gloria Wide (discus), 3,200 relay. Greenberg has emerged in the shot put this season and enters with the fourth-best sectional mark. She hit a career-best at sectionals (40-10.5) and will be looking to put a stamp on a solid season this weekend.

Hoffman Estates: Melanie Bliudzius (shot put), Meagan Biddle (1,600), 800 relay, 3,200 relay. Biddle is the key for Hoffman Estates this weekend. The junior will be in the mix for a state medal in the 1,600 and also is key member of the 3,200 relay squad that is looking to make its mark.

Schaumburg: Ali Gutt (800), Lauren Kubinski (1,600), 1,600 and 3,200 relays. The Saxons will rely on veteran leadership in the 3,200 relay. Gutt and Erin Falsey will push the attack for the squad that is hoping to make a push for a state medal.

Hersey: Kelly Hill (pole vault), Venus Jones (discus). Hill is a three-time state qualifier and also won four consecutive MSL titles in the pole vault. She would like to cap her senior season with a state medal.

Buffalo Grove: Kaitly Ko (3,200), Nya Carr (100 dash). Ko earned state cross country medals as a freshman and sophomore she will seeking her first state track medal this season. Carr has had an impressive freshman year, capping it with a second-place finish in the 100 dash at the Fremd sectional.

Conant: Shelby Epich (shot put), Sydney Davis (3,200), Natalie Lakomski (800). Davis has emerged this track season and sophomore is hoping to use the state track meet as a launching pad for her final two seasons.

Other state qualifiers: Emily Stegmeier, Elk Grove (800); Gabby Sanchez, Rolling Meadows (1,600); Megan Centella, Maine West (shot put); Madeline Bobinski, Maine West (shot put).

Class 2A:

St. Viator: Elizabeth Drab (long jump, 400)

Class 1A:

Christian Liberty Academy: Isabella Wolke (1,600, 3,200). Wolke finished ninth in Class 1A at the state cross country meet in November. She will be looking to add to her medal count this weekend and enters Thursday's prelims with the sixth-best sectional mark in the 1,600 and seventh-best mark in the 3,200.

- Michael Eaken