Glenbard West's Hart runs to another win
Emma Moravec thought this was her year to take center stage in the 800-meter run on the grandest of girls track and field stages.
In the shadow of former Downers Grove South back-to-back Class 3A 800 champion Michaela Hackbarth the last two years, Moravec had the misfortune of going toe-to-toe with Glenbard West freshman sensation Katelynne Hart on Thursday night at the Ritter Invite at Downers Grove North.
"That's the thing about track and field," the two-time all-state Downers North senior and Marquette recruit said after Hart won the event in 2 minutes, 14.64 seconds. "If you want the spotlight, you have to go out and get it. (Hart) is just a fantastic athlete."
Moravec had to settle for runner-up in 2:16.33.
"(Winning the cross country state championship last fall) gave me a great boost heading into the (track) season," said Hart, who began her evening by collaborating with Claire Kenwood, Janie Nabholz and Katie Hohe to win the 3,200 relay in 9:24.36.
"I wanted to compete at the state level. I knew (Moravec) was really good. She has really good leg speed."
Hart had an astonishing indoor season; the ninth-grader ran the fastest time in the nation in the 3,200 run.
But it was the host Trojans who beat their West Suburban Silver rivals and remainder of the 16-team field to win their home invitational for only the second time in the 30-year history of the storied meet.
Behind its sprint relays, Downers North turned back the Hilltoppers 103.5-80 to win the team title.
West Aurora crowned three individual champions in placing third with 75 points.
Lyons Twp. was fourth with 73 points, followed by Wheeling (71.5) and Prospect (60).
Palatine was ninth with 39 points and York was one slot lower (31.5).
Naperville Central scored 25 points.
Glenbard West also boasts the defending state champion in the 3,200 run in Lindsey Payne.
Locked in an early battle with South Carolina-bound Prospect senior Brooke Wilson, fifth a year ago at state, Payne broke away over the last two laps to win by 75-plus meters in 10:49.47.
"It was kind of weird," Payne said of running a lone race. "I don't think I have ever done just one before. I am just grateful for whatever event I am put in. Brooke Wilson was a great competitor for me."
Downers North, however, had a lethal weapon in sprinter Faith La Mantia.
The Bradley-bound senior was on the championship relays at 400 and 800 meters, teaming with Kimberly Brent, Keside Olekanma and Celeste Bonga on both relays.
La Mantia also earned 13 individual points in the 200 and 100 dashes with her third- and fourth-place finishes.
"It's more about team chemistry," La Mantia said of the sprint relays. "Understanding each of your teammates (is critical). My athletic ability can be useful in the 200."
For Glenbard West, some new additions made a striking first impression.
"We brought kids from the frosh-soph team up tonight, and they made some contributions," Glenbard West coach Kelly Hass said. "It was a difference-maker."
Dajour Miles' outdoor career for West Aurora was official after the sophomore was runner-up to three-event champion Lyn'Nikka Vance of Crete-Monee in the 100 dash.
Author of the fastest Class 3A indoor times in the state at both 200 and 400 meters, the two-time club track national champion was timed in 12.24.
Miles was returning after missing the second half of the indoor season with a hamstring injury.
West Aurora coach Teresa Towles is bringing the gifted athlete around slowly.
"It was good," Miles said of her only race. "I was a little scared. My (right) hamstring is really tight. I am more of a long (sprinter)."
If Miles returns to full health, three individual state championships between 100 and 400 meters are possible.
Miles made a bold statement upon returning.
"We have a great group of girls," Miles said. "We can win state for West Aurora in 2017."
West Aurora senior Tamia Rayford, who committed to Division II Southwest Baptist University in Missouri on Wednesday, won the 400 in 58.34.
Rayford was third in the 100 and fourth in the 200 before concluding the Blackhawks' 1,600 relay with a fourth-place finish.
"I feel pretty good about my performance," Rayford said. "I pushed myself to help our team get (third) place today."
Kayla Battle and Abbey Kuhn were field-event champions for the Blackhawks.
The former captured the high jump at 5 feet, 3 inches.
But it was a totally unexpected performance by Kuhn in the pole vault.
With no previous track and field experience before this season, the freshman won on criteria at 10 feet.
"I just vaulted what I could," Kuhn said. "I'm pretty surprised. I thought I was going to finish fourth, based on (where I was seeded)."