Girls track and field: Scouting the Mid-Suburban League meet
Girls track / Scouting the Mid-Suburban League meet
When: Friday; field events start at 4:45 p.m., track finals start at 6 p.m.
Host: Buffalo Grove High School
Relays: All relays will once again count for double points of individual races.
Outlook: Prospect enters the Mid-Suburban League girls track meet with five top seeds and plenty of depth, with the Knights setting their sights on their seventh conference title and third in five years. Seniors Brenda Kendziera (long jump), senior Jes Skudlarek (high jump), junior Brooke Wilson (3,200) and senior Maya Mason (100 high hurdles) all have earned top seeds and will anchor the Knights' effort. Prospect also has top seed in the 400 relay (48.85) and holds the second-fastest time in the 800 relay (1:46.49). The field events should set the tone, but sophomore Annie Walsh and freshman Samantha Berman have supplied some energy in the sprints. Barrington will be the Knights' chief competition. The Fillies are the two-time defending MSL champions and have the talent to hang with a deep Prospect attack. Junior Kelsey McLaurin (triple jump) and senior Sara Kate Capel (300 low hurdles) hold the top seeds in their respective events, while senior Anna Cossio and sophomore Eleni Filley also have key roles. Fillies sophomore Jocelyn Long will be a threat in both the 800 and 1,600. McLaurin, Cossio, and Capel will power the Fillies' top-seeded 1,600 relay (4:01.94). Palatine, Wheeling, and Fremd will field competitive teams and will be looking to make moves in the 12-team field. Palatine senior Kelly O'Brien enters with the top seed in the 800 (2:12.72), with Corey Rinella covering both hurdles events. Sophomore Tiana Henderson (200 dash) and freshman Jess Streepy (pole vault) also hold top individual seeds for the Pirates. Wheeling has a solid group of athletes in the field events including Michaela Vasey (shot put), Timber Terrell (triple jump) and Gloria Wide (discus). Freshman Alexis Knight gives the Wildcats a top speedster; she has the fastest seed in the 400 (59.23). Fremd's 800 relay (1:46.42) enters with the top seed and the Vikings also have the second-best time in the 1,600 relay (4:04.28). Schaumburg sophomore Maddie Marasco (800) and sophomore Lauren Kubinski (1,600) have definitely made their mark this season and will help key the Saxons' top-seeded 3,200 relay (9:25.18). Schaumburg's Maya Bowens has developed into one of the top throwers and holds the top seed in the shot put (40-09). Hoffman Estates senior Meagan Biddle is looking to cap a special senior season and holds the top seed in the a loaded 1,600 (4:54.29). Buffalo Grove sophomore Nya Carr is the top seed in the 100 dash (12.53), and Hersey's Barbara Rydzewski enters with the top seed in the discus (119-01).
Key races1,600: This will be a fun race, with Biddle setting the tone. But with a field that includes Wilson, Kubinski, Long, and Palatine senior Sam Lechowicz, it should be a tight race. This is definitely a state-worthy field and a must-see race.
800: O'Brien has the look of a state champion and will push the pace, but Long, Marasco, Fremd senior Nora Finegan and Elk Grove junior Emily Stegmeier will make for an interesting contest.
800 relay: This race will be important for the team standing as both Prospect and Barrington will be looking to pick up big points. Fremd is also keying on this race and seems primed for a big run. Palatine has also shown it will be a force, with Conant's quartet showing promise.
- Michael Eaken