Girls track and field: Elk Grove's Stegmeier on the right track
CHARLESTON - Elk Grove's Emily Stegmeier has been here before.
She had the third-fastest time in the 800-meter run in last year's Class 3A girls track and field state meet preliminaries.
But this year, the Grenadiers senior was even better.
Stegmeier took the lead early in the first lap and then crushed the final lap to secure the top mark in the 800 preliminaries with a swift time of 2:13.79 in 3A preliminaries at Eastern Illinois O'Brien Field in Charleston.
Now Stegmeier has her eyes set on a big finish on Saturday.
"I just want to stick with the same strategy, and what matters the most is tomorrow," said Stegmeier who will be looking for her first state medal. "I started off conservatively this season and I'm looking to peak at the right time."
Schaumburg's Maddie Marasco is certainly doing that.
The Saxons junior began her day by combining with junior Lauren Kubinski, junior Rachel Vaccaro and senior Valerie Schackelton to power the 3,200 relay team (9:21.99) into a spot in Saturday's finals. The same four secured a second-place medal in the 3,200 last year, and they advanced again by taking second in their heat.
Marasco (2:15.69) then came back to edge Highland Park freshman Stephanie Kriss (2:16.04) and take first in her heat with the third-best overall mark in the 800.
"It feels awesome and I'm happy with the results," said Marasco. "We have big goals, especially with that relay, and we just have to keep pushing it hard."
Hoffman Estates definitely pushed it hard from start to finish on Friday, especially senior Katie Bonney and sophomore Anna Miller.
Bonney and Miller started the day by combining with senior Misbah Baig and junior Alison Schroeder to grab the second-best mark in the 3,200 relay (9:21.06). The two Hawks ended their day by combining with senior Monraia Wilson and freshman Janea Dean to take the fifth-best time in the 1,600 relay (3:59.52).
"It was a nice start and ending," said Hoffman coach Kirk Macnider of his clutch relays. "The girls are ready."
Hoffman Estates has not advanced to the finals in the 1,600 relay since 1980, and the Hawks are looking for their first medal in the 3,200 relay.
"It feels great but we have work to do tomorrow," said Bonney of the Hawks' unfinished business. "The last two years we have come up short in the 3,200 and this year I want to leave with a medal."
"It's a dream come true to come to the state meet and to do as well as we are doing," Miller added. "But we still have work to get done tomorrow. We'll enjoy it (Friday night) and we'll be ready for (today)."
Buffalo Grove junior Nya Carr also has some unfinished business.
Last year, she qualified in three events but did not make it to finals.
Carr made up for lost time on Friday advancing to finals in the long jump (17-09.75). She added a big exclamation point by taking first in her heat of the 100 dash with a career-best 11.92.
"It's a big relief," said Carr of her advancement. "Early in the season my times in the 100 dash were a bit iffy, but I started to drop at the end. I'm entering tomorrow excited and confident."
Hersey had a couple of big performances starting with sophomore Alessia Olhava, who made the cut in the high jump (5-4) on her last attempt.
"I was a little nervous after missing the first two jumps but the third jump felt good," Olhava said. "It was now or never. I'll enter (finals) with a lot of confidence."
Huskies senior Sarah Harden then picked it up on the track by securing a finals spot in the 1,600 by finishing in a swift 4:58.65.
"It was a lot faster race than expected," said Harden, who finished second in her heat. "Breaking five minutes is a big accomplishment and I'm really happy."
Sophomore Alexis Knight gave Wheeling a big lift by advancing in the 400 (58.15).
Last year, she earned a seventh-place medal in the 400 and will be in the mix for a big finish on Saturday.
"Everyone is just dropping times and if you don't drop with them you're not going to cut it," Knight added.
Senior Ayana Blair also stepped up big for the Wildcats, advancing in the discus (118-08), and senior Timber Terrell has a finals spot in the triple jump (37-04).
Barrington junior Jocelyn Long used a big final lap to take third in her heat of the 1,600 (4:57.97). She will also be aiming for her third state medal in the 3,200.
"On the last lap, I knew I had to go," said Long who went under the five-minute mark for the first time. "It has been something that I have wanted to do."
Senior Kelsey McLaurin added to Fillies' day by advancing in the triple jump (37-03.75).
Senior Brooke Wilson excelled for Prospect.
She started her day by combining with Sydney Kizzmiller, freshman Liz Skoufos and senior Molly Leeney to advance the Knights in the 3,200 relay (9:25).
Wilson came back to qualify in the 1,600 (5:00.55), and she'll also be aiming for her third consecutive medal in the 3,200 on Saturday.
Palatine sophomore Jess Streepy advanced in the pole vault (11-0).
Maine West junior Alisa Fallon advanced to Saturday's final in the discus (126-3) with the fourth-best preliminary mark.
Class 2A
St. Viator junior Elizabeth Drab won the Class 2A state title in the 400 last season, and the Lions junior will be looking to repeat on Saturday.
But it sure won't be easy.
Drab enters Saturday with the second-fastest preliminary mark (55.50). Eisenhower junior Tina Martin secured the top preliminary mark (55.34), and 2014 and 2015 champion Mariya Hudson of Cahokia secured the third-best preliminary mark (55.53).
"The field for the 400 is really tough, but it's good - it'll help us all with our times," said Drab, who also made finals in the 200 (25.33). "I'm excited I think I do well under pressure and I think I can drop a good time."