Girls track and field: Bright outlook for Schaumburg in Smith's final season

Schaumburg girls track and field coach Courtney Smith announced to her team in March that this would be her final season at Schaumburg.

Smith, who has been the Saxons' coach for five seasons and head cross country coach for two seasons, will be joining her husband Ray Smith, who is an assistant football coach at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.

The Saxons are hoping to send Smith out on a successful note.

On a sunny and warm Saturday at Schaumburg's Mike Rebeck Invitational, the Saxons offered a glimpse of their potential.

Junior Maya Bowens gave the Saxons an early lift by hitting a career best and taking first in the shot put (40 feet, 9 inches).

And sophomore Lauren Kubinski gave the Saxons a lift by taking second in the 800 (2:19.21) and third in the 1,600 (5:20.46).

"It's bittersweet," said Smith of her final year. "The girls have been handling it well, and like I told them the sky is the limit for us."

Hononegah took first in the 11-team field with 262 points, followed by Glenbard North (255), Whitney Young (217.5), Springfield Southeast (139) and host Schaumburg (132).

Bowens has definitely come on strong for the Saxons this season, putting herself in line for state qualification after barely missing the cut last season.

"She was really close last year," said Smith, "and you put weightlifting and determination together and now it is all clicking junior year."

It is also starting to click for Kubinski, who was part of the Saxons' 3,200 relay that placed sixth in Class 3A.

Kubinski took the early lead in the 800 before Hononegah senior Nicky Althoff took command in the final lap to win in 2:18.21.

The Schaumburg sophomore then ran a controlled 1,600 to finish third behind the Lane Tech duo of junior Maggie Scholle (5:14.46) and senior Imani Davis (5:18.10).

"I just keep trying to better my time and improving each meet," said Kubinski. "I think my experience from last year is helping this year."

Also aiding the Schaumburg cause was Enfiniti Kelly, who took fourth in the long jump (15-7), and sophomore Racheal Vaccaro, who added a third-place finish in the 800 (2:24.77).

Glenbard North's Allison Wahrman has plenty of big-meet experience. Last year the Panthers senior took third in the triple jump in Class 3A. This year the Iowa-bound senior is looking to add to her medal collection.

Wahrman scratched on her first two attempts in the triple jump on Saturday but connected on her third jump, a winner at 36-10.5.

Wahrman also added a first-place finish in the long jump (16-06.5) and a fourth-place finish in the high jump (5-0) to sput the Panthers' second-place finish.

"I'm pretty confident and I'm looking to do my best at the end of the season," said Wahrman. "I'm more relaxed this year and I'm looking to keep improving."

Whitney Young sophomore Amira Young finished third in the Class 3A 100 last season and showed on Saturday that she will be a force once again this year. Young took first with a pair of nifty times in the 100 (12.2) and 200 (24.93), and also was part of the Dolphins' winning 400 relay (48.89).

"I'm confident in my training," said Young, "I have gotten stronger both physically and in my confidence. There is no pressure; I'm just going to keep working hard."