Girls track and field: Wilson, Walsh keep Prospect in prominent spot

Prospect's girls track and field team had a few holes to fill after graduating a core group of seniors from last year's Mid-Suburban League championship group.

But the Knights showed Saturday that they still have plenty of talent, including two big returning pieces from the defending conference championship team.

Senior Brooke Wilson and junior Annie Walsh gave Prospect a big lift as the Knights won their second straight indoor title at the Jim Nagel/Mark Saylor Mid-Suburban League girl track and field indoor invitational with 91 points at North Central College in Naperville.

A fast-rising Wheeling team took second with 77 points, followed by Hersey and Schaumburg, who tied for third with 49 points. Barrington (46 points) rounded out the top five.

"We had a great group of seniors who laid the foundation last year, and we have some young talent that is really exciting," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute of his team's title run. "From going from a team that has never won this meet to winning back-to-back years is pretty sweet."

Walsh helped fill the gaps on Saturday by winning with a meet record in the 200 (25.69), pushing her team to a first-place finish in the 800 relay (1:47.35) and providing a second-place finish in the 55 dash (7.34).

Walsh was part of the 400 relay team that took second at the Class 3A state meet last season, and the junior is ready for more this spring.

"I felt really good and I was excited to get out there and compete," said Walsh. "We have a lot of new talent that is adding, and it's really exciting to see where we can go."

Wilson, of course, provides plenty of experience. She's earned a combined six state medals in track and cross country and she was in high gear on Saturday.

Wilson was in a tight pack with Hersey senior Sarah Harden and Fremd senior Linda Varela with 3 laps remaining in the 1,600 before pulling away in the final lap to secure the victory in 4:59.62.

"It helped that there were some other girls pushing the pace in that final 400 meters," said Wilson. "That got me going."

Junior Eve Anzalone added a second-place finish in the 55 high hurdles (9.45), with senior Jill Hennig (35-2.25) and senior Autumn Stone (33-3.5) going 2-3 in the triple jump for the Knights.

Wheeling's Alexis Knight finished seventh in the 400 at last season's Class 3A state meet, and the sophomore showed no signs of slowing down on Saturday. Knight cruised to victory in the 400 (59.75) in helping power Wheeling's strong team finish.

"I felt a little more pressure than I did last year," said Knight, who also helped Wheeling's runner-up placement in the 800 relay. "But I'm feeling stronger and the team is stronger, so it's all working out."

Sophomore Emily Lucas added a first-place finish in the pole vault (10-3), with Wheeling senior Ayana Blair taking second in the shot put (39-01) and sophomore Nicole Nguyen contributing a second-place finish in long jump (17-0) in helping to pace the Wildcats' attack.

"We've been climbing and climbing, and we like where we are right now," said Wheeling coach Tim Nowicki of the Wildcats' highest finish since they took second in 1990. "The girls we have are all dedicated, and I think that catches on."

Hersey also looked pretty impressive, with senior Sarah Harden providing a big boost. She took second in the 1,600 (5:03.20) and also was a key member of the Huskies' winning effort in the 3,200 relay (9:30.29).

"It has been a while since we had a good 3,200 relay team and we definitely have some high goals this season," said Harden.

Hersey also got it done in the field with Alessia Olhava (5-1) and Teodor Zhaklinova (5-1) going 1-2 in the high jump.

Schaumburg junior Maddie Marasco gave Schaumburg a big lift by winning the 800 (2:16.72). Marasco came from behind to nip Hoffman Estates Anna Miller (2:16.93) at the finish.

Marasco was also part of the Saxons' 3,200 relay (9:33.99) which took second.

Senior Maya Bowens aided Schaumburg with a victory in the shot put (39-05).

Senior Kelsey McLaurin gave Barrington a lift with a win in the triple jump (37-02.5); she later anchored the 1,600 relay (4:05.58) to a first-place finish.

"I saw this coming - we've had a lot of good practices," said McLaurin of the 1,600 relay team. "There are some new runners in the relay but it is coming together."

Junior Jocelyn Long also added a big win in cruising to the title in the 3,200 (11:28.33) for the Fillies.

Buffalo Grove's Nya Carr qualified to last year's state meet in three events and seems poised for another nice season.

Carr won the long jump (17-07.5) and then set a meet record in winning the 55 dash (7.19). She also had an impressive second-place finish in the 200 (25.86).

"The times have been there, and I've just been gaining more and more confidence," said Carr.

Sophomore Erin Oleksak gave Palatine a boost with a first-place finish in the 55 high hurdles (9.16).