Girls track and field: Prospect powers to impressive Day 1 downstate
CHARLESTON - Prospect senior Maya Mason missed out on advancing from the Class 3A girls track and field state meet preliminaries last season.
But the Knights senior rebounded nicely on a cool and drizzly Friday afternoon at Eastern Illinois' O'Brien Stadium.
Mason started her day by combining with sophomore Annie Walsh, freshman Samantha Berman, and senior Jes Skudlarek to qualify in the 400 relay with a school record 48.12.
Mason then came back to hit big and advance in the 100 high hurdles (14.72).
"We have a mindset we're going to do our best and not worry about our competition," said Mason of the Knights' 400 quartet. "We know what we can do, and that is what we're going to put out there. It feels amazing."
Skudlarek also cleared 5-4 to advance in the high jump, with senior Cassidy Selep advancing to the pole vault finals (10-9).
"We're so excited about the relay," said Skudlarek. "All of us are running fast, we have just been jelling so well."
Junior Brooke Wilson supported the Knights' effort by qualifying in the 1,600 (5:00.90) and will also be running in the 3,200 finals. Last year Wilson earned state medals in both events.
Palatine's Kelly O'Brien is also gearing up for a big finish..
The Pirates senior started her day by combining with senior Sam Lechowicz, junior Anna Buckstaff and junior Nadya Lloyd in qualifying the 3,200 relay (9;19.70).
O'Brien then came back to secure the second-fastest qualifying mark in the 1,600 (4:57.54).
"I'm starting to figure it out, and I have been running with a lot of confidence," said O'Brien of her 1,600 race. "I want to get out there and set the tone."
Fremd senior Nora Finegan also hit big. The Vikings senior started her day by hitting a career best in the 800 (2:13.91).
She later combined with senior Megan Benka, junior Cara Ogilvy and freshman Emma Schultz to qualify in the 1,600 relay (4:01.45).
"The goal was just to run my race," said Finegan, who flashed plenty of closing speed in the 800. "Earlier in the season I was just depending on my kick. I have been working on my start."
Senior Sara Kate Capel, sophomore Elani Filley, senior Carly Horak, and junior Kelsey McLaurin lifted Barrington to a spot in Saturday's finals in the 800 relay (1:42.98).
"We have a strong support system and we're there for each other," said McLaurin.
Hoffman Estates senior Meagan Biddle has also elevated her performance.
The Hawks senior started her day by combining with junior Katie Bonney, freshman Anna Miller and sophomore Allison Schroeder in advancing with a school record in the 3,200 relay (9:18.97).
Biddle then came back and qualified in the 1,600 (4:59.95).
"I knew it was going to go out really fast, I just wanted to keep them in range," said Biddle, who looked smooth in moving up throughout the race. "I just wanted to keep building."
Sophomore Lauren Kubinski, sophomore Madison Marasco, sophomore Rachael Vaccaro and junior Valerie Schackelton gave Schaumburg a big highlight by advancing in the 3,200 relay (9:14.88).
Kubinski and Marasco gave the Saxons an early shot of energy, with Vaccaro and Schackelton closing the deal.
"My teammates gave me a good lead and I just wanted to finish," said Schackelton, who ran the anchor leg. "We all rely on each other and we're going big."
Wheeling also had a bid day, advancing four individuals to finals.
Senior Michaela Vasey advanced in the shot put (39-3.5) and senior Gloria Wide advanced in the discus (113-08).
Junior Timber Terrell kept things rolling for the Wildcats with advancement in the triple jump (37-09.5), and freshman Alexis Knight continued the surge by qualifying in the 400 (57.03).
"I was nervous all day," said Knight of her first state experience. "But I used the nerves to push me in my race."
Elk Grove junior Emily Stegmeier ran a career-best in qualifying in the 800 (2:13.54).
"It means a lot for sure," said Stegmeier of her first track finals. "I wanted to finish strong, I usually have a weakness of not finishing, and I didn't want that to happen again."
Maine West senior Madeline Bobinski advanced in the discus (114-0).
Class 2A
St. Viator junior Elizabeth Drab continued her breakout season, qualifying to finals in three events. She started her day with the third-fastest qualifying mark in the 100 (12.26).
The Lions junior then lit up the track in winning her heat and advancing with the second-fastest mark in the 400 (56.27).
And she completed her day by qualifying in the 200 (25.38).
"It felt good, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow," said Drab. "I've been training really hard. Being able to put my full attention to track has really paid off. I'm feeling really confident and just want to go out and see what I can do."