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Girls track and field: Geneva defends Kane County title

McKenzie Altmayer skipped the open 3,200-meter run to embolden the Geneva relay team at the same distance.

"I got to help my team out and run a good time," the Syracuse-bound senior said of the Vikings' second-place verdict.

Altmayer later broke free from Class 2A 1,600 stalwarts Abby Firoresi and Madison Ronzone - the defending state runner-up - of Aurora Central Catholic and Rosary, respectively, to win the race in convincing fashion.

With two events remaining at the Kane County Girls Track and Field Invitational, Geneva held a commanding lead over the other 15 schools in the field.

"I told a friend who is also a senior, 'We could defend this,'" said Altmayer, who won the metric mile in 5 minutes, 2.68 seconds. "Everyone (on the team) is amped, everyone is psyched. Knock on some wood, but it would mean the world if were able to defend (our title). It's a big meet with great competition."

The Geneva coronation at St. Charles North on Friday night was only minutes away as the Vikings defeated runner-up Batavia by almost 40 points with its 133 total.

The Bulldogs edged Kaneland by half a point. St. Charles East, Aurora Central, West Aurora, St. Charles North, Rosary, South Elgin, Dundee-Crown, St. Edward, Larkin, Burlington Central, Streamwood, Elgin and East Aurora rounded out the field.

Kristin Higgins' victory in the high jump at 5 feet, 3 inches - with Shannon Callahan placing runner-up - spring-boarded the Vikings in the field.

Emma Ehrhardt and Stephanie Howe also swept the 3,200 run to give Geneva 18 more quick points.

"Seeing (Naperville North defending state champion Judy Pendergast) run the 10:06 (the fastest time in the nation last week at Glenbard West) was inspiring," Ehrhardt said. "Maybe I can do that next year. It makes you feel like it's not impossible to do."

"(The county championship) was a surprise last year," Geneva coach Peter Raak said. "I think (the margin) was a surprise this year. I hold this meet in high regard, with its history and the competition here."

Georgia Reed was the 300 hurdles champion for Geneva.

Batavia was anchored by its relay units as the Bulldogs captured the 3,200 race behind four-year distance standout Dakota Roman and the 400 relay behind twin engines Tori Ortiz and Hannah Schlman.

Batavia throwers Samantha Healy and Jada Jones Martin won the shot put and discus.

Kaneland is a serious threat to win a Class 2A state trophy behind its array of sprinters headlined by Nicole Sreenan and Allie Heinzer.

The former, despite an illness that sent her home early, won the 100 dash in 12.3 seconds; the latter, runner-up in the 400, won the 200 in 24.91.

"I definitely was not expecting (to win the 100)," Sreenan said.

Missouri-bound Aurora Central senior Karina Liz is the two-time Class 2A defending state champion at 800 meters. The Chargers' star won the event for the fourth consecutive year but saved her most impressive feat on the anchor leg in the 1,600 relay.

After Fioresi passed four runners on the third leg, Liz ran a sub-58-second split in a dramatic come-from-behind win over Batavia.

"I run fast when I'm (angry)," Liz said. "I had a pretty bad 800 time, a pretty bad quarter (400) time. It's kind of bittersweet, because I'm not coming back next year (to defend the 800)."

Iowa recruit Hannah Schilb from St. Charles North remains undefeated outdoors in the long and triple jump after becoming the only two-event individual champion with respective efforts of 18-2.5 and 38-9.5.

"I really like having the competition," Schilb said. "At times it's hard to jump against myself."

West Aurora crowned champions Rajiah Andrews and Tamia Rayford in the 100 hurdles and 400.

St. Edward sprinter-jumper Bella Uscila scored all 18 Green Waves points in the two dashes and the long jump.

  Geneva's Emma Ehrhardt passes Burlington Central's Megan Safranski to take the lead in the 3,200-meter run at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Emma Ehrhardt reacts to taking first place in the 3,200-meter run at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Carley Elliott, left, and Batavia's Hannah Schlaman near the finish line in the 400-meter relay. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles East's Jessica Glas (left) and West Aurora's Rajiah Andrews run the 100-meter hurdles. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Burlington Central's Megan Safranski (center) in the 3,200-meter run at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles East's Jessica Glas in the final heat of the 100-meter hurdles at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Emma Ehrhardt (facing) receives a hug from a friend after taking first place in the 3,200-meter run at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Jahnia Gould (center) and St. Charles North's Olivia Newbill (right) in the first heat of the 100-meter hurdles at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  South Elgin's Jasmin Duncan in the third heat of the 100-meter hurdles at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles East's Emily Gier competes in pole vault at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Hailee Stay competes in pole vault at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Kaneland's Lexi Guerra competes in pole vault at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Kristin Higgins competes in the high jump at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Emma Ehrhardt reacts to taking first place in the 3,200-meter run at the Kane County Invitational in St. Charles Friday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
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