Metea Valley throwers set up for a big finish at state

CHARLESTON - Holly Julifs is seeking to double the number of track and field state titles for Metea Valley.

That is, unless Courtney Morgan defends her Class 3A shot put title for the Mustangs.

The state preliminaries at Eastern Illinois University on Friday afternoon featured a treasure trove from area throwers.

Julifs is leading the discus, but with Lake Park junior Michaela Smith and Morgan in hot pursuit.

In the shot put half of the dozen finalists are not only from the area but five of them are perched in slots Nos. 3 through 9.

"It was the first throw," Juliffs said of her 142-plus-foot throw that has her in the lead. "The one thing I noticed today was that I was really slow throughout the ring. I think I was being cautious that I stayed in the ring."

The Alabama-bound Julifs is eighth in the shot put.

Morgan is third and fifth, respectively, in the shot put and discus.

Smith is also in the top five in both events.

Neuqua Valley senior Olivia Griswold is fourth in the shot put.

"This was a hard day for me," Griswold said. "We'll see what (Saturday) will bring. It should be a good day."

The other four field events are dotted with familiar names from the area.

Kenna Lonergan and Alex Enright, of Neuqua Valley and Wheaton Warrenville South, respectively, had no issues in making the high jump cut at 5-3.

"I got in on my first try on every attempt today," Enright said.

Benet sophomore Ali Munson, WW South senior Heidi Nassos and Lake Park three-time all-stater Danielle Wojciechowski are in the mix in the pole vault.

Glenbard North junior Allison Wahrman is almost assured a medal in the triple jump.

Fenton junior Emelia Burris had a breakout day by moving into third in the long jump and qualifying for the 100-meter dash.

Burris will be joined by Naperville Central junior D'Jenne Egharevba in the 100 dash; the Redhawks' sprinter also qualified in the 200.

"This will be the first time I (will be getting) an individual medal," Egharevba said.

Judy Pendergast powered the Naperville North 3,200 relay to the lowest time of the three heats.

But the junior will relinquish her spot to focus on being the top seed in the open 3,200.

"I have never raced at state (track)," Pendergast said. "This track is something you have to get used to."

The Huskies' Claire Hamilton was one of 10 athletes to advance to the open 1,600 by breaking five minutes.

Downers Grove North sophomore Emma Moravec authored the best 800 preliminary, but reigning runner-up Michaela Hackbert of Downers South is also in the hunt.

Samara Miller was an at-large qualifier for Neuqua Valley in the 400 after a second-place 56.13.

In Class 2A, Montini junior Gianna Salzbrunn is seeking to duplicate her three-event all-state performance from a year ago.

The Broncos have been runner-up in the 3,200 relay for three straight years.

"It would be amazing to get over the hump," the Broncos' anchor said.

Salzbrunn had the third-fastest 300 hurdles race and is in the mix in the long jump as well.

"Long hurdles were really good today," Salzbrunn said. "I had a school record."