Elgin Academy's Pearson has lofty goals for state

Elgin Academy senior Kaitlyn Pearson hit the books so to speak during the offseason.

The Illinois State-bound Pearson worked with a private coach in Evanston during the winter and came away with some newfound knowledge.

"The training helped with technique," she said.

Pearson also adjusted her strategy in the 200 meters.

"I start kicking now when I get to the 100-meter mark instead of at the turn," she said. "I know I can beat almost anyone in a race in a straight 100 so I save it and then let it all go when I hit the 100. My dad explained you are running in one direction and then at the turn you are going in a different direction and using more energy. I listened to him for once."

Pearson will put her undefeated streak this year in both the 200 and 100 dashes on the line at Thursday's Class 1A state meet at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium in Charleston. She's seeded fifth in the 100 and eighth in the 200.

Don't think Pearson has forgotten about the 100, an event she placed third in last spring in Charleston.

"I fixed a lot with my start," she said. "I switched feet. I'm predominantly left-footed and I didn't realize your feet made such a difference. I have no stutter-step in my start now. I go straight out almost parallel. I come up and gradually rise instead of standing straight out of the blocks."

Pearson isn't hiding her desire to reach for the stars in Charleston.

"I'm hoping to take the 1 and 2," she said. "I'm not going down there thinking maybe I'll take one. I've trained hard and everything I've learned in this one year has really helped."

St. Edward will be well represented today. The Green Wave qualified their 400 relay team, as well sophomore Megan Kremer in the 3,200 and freshman Bella Uscila in the 100.

Like Pearson in the 200, Kremer has been focusing on the second part of her race.

"I've really been picking it up the last four laps," she said. "That's where I've struggled to try and have a strong finish. The two-mile is a big mental race. You have to tell your body that you can go faster. I'm going to try and run the best race I can on Saturday (when the Class 1A 3,200 is run)."

The 400 relay team features Bri Lagtapon, Bethany Mavromatis, Dom Washington and Uscila. That group is seeded 11th headed into the meet.

"Our positivity, dedication and strength makes the relay strong," said Lagtapon. "We've been training for this relay for the whole season and it definitely shows during our races. Each girl is running very fast sprint times, so our speed is a huge contributing factor."

Harvest Christian Academy has individual qualifiers in four different events and in the 1,600 relay.

The 1,600 relay is redemption of sorts for the Lions, who finished second in that event as well in 2014, but were disqualified. This year, there was no drama. A second-place finish at the Oregon sectional punched the ticket for the quartet of senior Morgan Lockwood, freshman Rachel Higbee and seniors Valerie Richter and Kylee Knox.

"We sure are happy about making it," said Knox. "Morgan Lockwood is a soccer player who has done well and we're very happy that Rachel gets to go down as a freshman."

Richter added: "The three seniors are very good friends. It's a great way to finish the year. It's really sweet to be able to run in this relay at state."

Richter also qualified in the 800 and 1,600 where she was a sectional champion in both races. Richter is seeded fifth in the 800 heading into state.

"I've started off faster this year in the 800," she said. "Last year I'd wait until the second lap. Now I'm getting ahead of the pack so I can be in front hopefully for the whole time."

Knox also qualified in the 100 hurdles after winning a sectional title in that event. "I've found my rhythm," she said. "Last year I didn't get it until the last few meets. I've also been practicing my three-step and that has helped me this year. I've felt more consistent."

Harvest freshman Nygia Pollard rounds out the list of Harvest qualifiers. She'll run in the 3,200 and also with Richter in the 1,600. Pollard won the 3,200 sectional title.