Girls track: Warren's Jenkins jumps to it; Klett, LZ win NSC meet
She just had that feeling something special was going to happen in the North Suburban Conference track and field meet at Lake Forest's East Campus.
Warren junior sprinter Janii Jenkins not only earned three conference titles on a glorious Saturday afternoon, she ran a personal-best 55.81 in winning the 400-meter dash, breaking the school and NSC meet records set by former Blue Devils star Brittny Ellis (55.89) in 2015.
"I really wanted to get close or break some of her times by the time I finished high school, so this is awesome to get one already," said Jenkins, who blistered the field, separating herself after the second turn in the 400. "I felt really good, really relaxed. The most important part is that first 150 yards, and I felt real strong out of the block."
Jenkins, who went to state in the 400 as a sophomore, has already comfortably met the state-qualifying times in the 100, 200 and 400. On Saturday, she first took the 100 dash in 12.55 and followed with a victory in the 200, as she ran a 26.06 to edge junior teammate Jataia Harris (26.93). Jenkins then ran anchor on the winning 400 relay (49.55), joining forces with sophomore Jesette Ezernack, freshman Kayleigh Glickley and Harris.
Warren sophomore Julia Retter picked up a conference title by winning the 300 hurdles (47.34), and freshman Annika Bynum won the high jump (5-4) to help lead Warren (112 points) to a second-place finish behind meet champion Lake Zurich (120).
Speaking of Lake Zurich, sophomore Izzy Klett captured on a couple of conference titles, winning the long jump (17-3) and triple jump (35-2ΒΌ).
"I've been working on holding the pike before landing," said Klett, who just missed state last year, finishing third in the long jump at sectionals. "Every meet is a steppingstone to get better. Placing and getting points for the team is most important. I just let the sand come to me."
Lake Zurich junior Emily Burns won the 3,200 run (11:31), while sophomore Kelsey Rothas was a champion in the pole vault (10-0) for the Bears.
Stevenson's depth helped produce a third-place finish (104).
The Patriots' 3,200 relay of seniors Natalie and Isabelle Sparreo and Gabriela Jagielo, and junior Kendall Roberts won with a time of 9:48.21. Stevenson freshman Camille Clay picked up a second-place medal in both the shot put (37-10) and discus (107-0).
Libertyville senior Melissa Manetsch missed the 3,200 due to a state band commitment in Champaign but got back in time to win the 1,600 in a season-best 5:07.28.
"I'm a little tired but it was nice to run fast and get some speed in my legs," Manetsch said. "I owe a lot to my parents and my personal faith. Don't focus so much on the outcome. If you have integrity to do the best you can no matter what, things will work out."
Libertyville's 1,600 relay picked up a conference title when the quartet of seniors Molly Goebel, Emma Stevenson, Brilynn Dawson and anchor Avryl Johnson crossed in 4:04.40.
Lake Forest senior Emma Milburn is in the middle of a terrific comeback after being out of action with a stress fracture sustained last fall. She won the 800 run (2:16.75), while fellow Scouts senior Jessica Pasquesi captured the 100 hurdles (17.45).
Lake Forest's 800 relay took first with sophomores Ainsley Weisner and Anna Bazell and seniors Kamila Obrutz and Ana Curry (1:49.71). They helped the Scouts to a fifth-place effort (68 points).
Mundelein, which finished seventh (17 points), saw Anna Ambrose take seventh in the pole vault. She broke the school record of 9 feet.
Zion-Benton senior Jalah Morris finished first in the shot put (49-9) and discus (136-7).