Mason, Prospect win MSL indoor championship

Prospect senior Maya Mason has a bit of unfinished business this year.

As a sophomore, Mason finished sixth in the Class 3A 100 high hurdles.

But last season, she did not advance from the state preliminaries.

This year, Mason enters with a sharper focus and is ready to erase last season disappointment.

She displayed her potential on Saturday taking first place in the 55 high hurdles (8.46) and helping power Prospect to the Mark Saylor Mid-Suburban League girl's track and field indoor title with 105.25 points at North Central College in Naperville.

Two-time defending outdoor champion Barrington took second with 81.25 points followed by Fremd (52.75 points), Wheeling (49) and Schaumburg (41).

"Not making it to the state finals was one of the worse feelings," Mason said. "This year, I'm pushing myself to the limit. I'm really trying to go out with a bang and do a lot of amazing things."

Mason also finished second in the 55-meter dash (7.33) and was part of the Prospect second-place finish in the 800 relay (1:48.30) to help the Knights secure their first MSL indoor title.

"She is one of the most talented runners I've coached," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute of his talented senior. "Last year was a bit of a wake-up call."

Prospect definitely answered the bell on Saturday taking first in five events, including three events in the field.

Junior Brooke Wilson earned two state medals last season in the 1,600 (sixth place) and 3,200 (second place) while also finishing third at the Class 3A cross country state meet in the fall.

Wilson once again made her mark in a loaded 1,600 field.

She hung tough with Barrington sophomore Jocelyn Long, Palatine senior Kelly O'Brien, Elk Grove junior Emily Stegmeier and Schaumburg sophomore Maddy Marasco early in the race.

Long, who finished fifth in Class 3A last season in the 3,200, set the tone early and was followed by O'Brien, who finished second in Class 3A in the 1,600. Wilson paced behind the pair.

Wilson made her move with a little more than 200 meters remaining and didn't look back in crossing the finish line in 5:04.53.

She was followed by Long (5:05.70) and O'Brien (5:05.78) in the biggest race of the day.

"With 200 meters to go I gave it everything I had," Wilson said. "It was pretty tough, but probably the best finish I ever had."

Prospect senior Jes Skudlarek set the tone for the Knights in the field, setting a MSL indoor record and taking first in the high jump (5-08).

"My goals are high this year," said Skudlarek who hit a personal-best indoor mark and tied her best outdoor mark. "It's my senior year and I want to go out with a bang."

Senior Brenda Kendziera took first in the long jump (17-07.5).

Junior Autumn Stone (10-0) and senior Cassidy Selep (9-06) went 1-2 in the pole vault in aiding the Knights' attack.

"The core group definitely set the tone today," said Wintermute of the Knights' execution. "My big thing is just working on getting better week by week, and just focusing on ourselves."

Barrington was also looking pretty sharp on Saturday and once again the Fillies 1,600 relay set the tone.

Barrington returned three members of its 1,600 relay that won the Class 3A state title and helped the Fillies to a second place trophy in Class 3A

Senior Sara Kate Capel, sophomore Julia Piotrowski, senior Anna Cossio and junior Kelsey McLaurin combined to power the Fillies to first place in the 1,600 in an impressive 4:02.03.

McLaurin and Capel combined with sophomore Eleni Filley and senior Carly Horak to power the Fillies to first place in the 800 relay (1:48.28).

And McLaurin capped a pretty big day by setting a meet record and taking first in the triple jump (37-06.25), with Filley also aiding the attack by taking first in the 200 (27.58).

"It's a big motivator," said McLaurin of the Fillies state trophy run last season. "I'm feeling great, and the team is working hard and we're supporting each other to get faster times."

Fremd senior Nora Finegan (2:18.88) gave the Vikings a big lift on Saturday by holding off Elk Grove's Emily Stegmeier (2:19.74) for the win in the 800. Viking junior Linda Varela took third (2:21.99).

Finegan then came back to help the Vikings take second in the 1,600 relay (4:05.03).

"It's a bit different this year," said Finegan who was an anchor for the Vikings third-place finish in Class 3A for the 3,200 relay last season. "I am getting use to running the open this year but it's coming together."

Senior Michaela Vasey set the tone for Wheeling by taking first in the shot put (38-11).

Vasey was a state qualifier last year and just missed qualifying for Saturday's state finals last season.

She has definitely set herself up for big things this season.

"It feels good and definitely helping pushing me for potentially placing at state," said Vasey of her indoor marks that includes 40-05 mark.

Wheeling freshman Alexis Knight also made quite a splash for the Wildcats winning the 400 in an impressive 59.57.

Sophomore Maddy Marasco, sophomore Rachael Vaccaro, sophomore Lauren Kubinski and junior Valarie Schackelton gave Schaumburg a big lift by helping the Saxons take first in the 3,200 relay (9:35.41).

Marasco and Kubinski were part of last year's 3,200 relay which helped the Saxons finish sixth in Class 3A.

Senior Enfiniti Kelly also aided the Saxons' attack by taking second in the long jump (17-02.5) and third in the 200 (27.86).

Senior Meagen Biddle powered Hoffman Estates by easily cruising to first place in the 3,200 (11:07.32).

Junior Katie Bonner (1:01.49) added a second-place finish in the 400 with junior Destiny Jackson taking second in the 200 (27.74) to aid the Hawks' attack.

Buffalo Grove sophomore Nya Carr took first in the 55 dash (7.28).

"I'm getting off the blocks better this year," said Carr who was a state qualifier in the 100 dash last season. "I just wanted to finish strong today."