Girls track and field: State meet scouting, Northwest

Girls track and field: Scouting the state meet

Where: O'Brien Field at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston.

Friday prelims: Class 2A field events 8 a.m., running events 9 a.m.; Class 3A field events noon, running events 12:45 p.m.

Saturday finals: Class 1A, 2A, 3A finals at 10 a.m.

Quick takes: Naperville North won the Class 3A state title in cross country in the fall, and the Huskies have their sights set on the Class 3A track and field title this weekend. But it will be a very competitive field with five to six team vying for the title. DeKalb, Belleville West, Homewood-Flossmoor, West Aurora and defending Class 3A champion Glenbard West will all be in that chase. Glenbard West sophomore Katelynne Hart has set the bar for distance runners, winning back-to-back state titles in Classs 3A cross country as well earning titles in the 3,200, 1,600, and 3,200 relay in Class 3A track meet last May. This season she may have her eyes set on the state meet record in the 3,200 (9:56.96) set by Woodstock's Kayla Beattie in 2011. Hart has already hit an Illinois all-time best in the 3,200 (9:52.02) in late April and will be aiming for the record on Saturday.

Local focusBarrington: Jocelyn Long (1,600, 3,200), Molly Fitzpatrick (1,600), Brooke Husby (100 high hurdles), Gabby Cossio (300 low hurdles), Sarah Ruesch (pole vault), Nicole Barcroft (pole vault), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. The Fillies won the Mid-Suburban League title and also won the Palatine sectional title. This team is very strong in the distance events. Long has had a very strong spring and enters the state meet with a lot of momentum. Keep an eye on the Fillies' 3,200 relay; Fitzpatrick, Katherine Shein, Alyssa Norris and Sophie Hoeltgen combined to lead the Fillies to the third-best sectional mark (9:21.10). Freshmen have definitely infused the Fillies' attack this season, with Olivia Helmer, Reagan Pokorny, and Morgan Magro aiding the relays.

Palatine: Erin Oleksak (high jump, 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles), Anne Marie Jordan (3,200), Kate Lechowicz (3,200), Jess Streepy (pole vault), Anya Ball (high jump), 400 relay, 800 relay, 3,200 relay. Oleksak has keyed the Pirates this season and she had big night at the sectional by qualifying in four events, including the 800 relay. Streepy has been slowed by injuries this season but will be competing for a medal in the pole vault in a very deep field.

Buffalo Grove: Nya Carr (high jump, 100, 200). The Bison senior took seventh in the 100 dash for Class 3A last season and should challenge for a medal this season in both 100 and 200. But both sprint events offer competitive fields. Carr seems to be stronger and more focused entering her final state meet.

Fremd: 3,200 relay. Clare Ohler-O'Sullivan, Nupur Pokharkar, Marisa Ban, and Julia Finegan combined to power the Vikings to a second-place finish at the Palatine sectionals and earning their spot at state.

Wheeling: Nicole Nguyen (long jump, 300 low hurdles), Alexis Knight (long jump, 400), Yailene Leon (800), Nosa Igiehon (triple jump), 400 relay, 1,600 relay. Nguyen, Knight, and Leon offer the Wildcats plenty of firepower and should be fun to watch this weekend. Nguyen has the third-best qualifying mark in the 300 low hurdles (45.09) and also has had solid efforts in long jump. Knight has won two consecutive state medals in the 400 and is looking to add another, and Leon has been very consistent in the 800. Those three combined with Igiehon to notch the second-fastest qualifying mark in the 1,600 relay (3:58.31).

Prospect: Annie Walsh (100, 200), Ellen Sherwood (long jump), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. The Knights loaded up on their relays at the Wheaton Warrenville South sectional and it paid off as they qualified all four. The 800 relay looks especially promising. Sherwood, Walsh, Samantha Berman, and Natalie Kowalczuk combined to hit an impressive 1:43.56. Grace LaCamera has also played a big part in the Knights' sprint relays. Walsh has a full plate as she also qualified in the 100 dash and 200 dash. Sherwood posted a strong mark in the long jump and may challenge for a medal.

Conant: Victoria Marzec (triple jump), Chikere Oduocha (discus), Leah Jones (300 low hurdles). Jones opened some eyes with her third-place finish in the 300 low hurdles (45.76) at the Wheaton Warrenville sectional. She has put herself in the conversation for a state medal. Oduocha has made big strides this year and will benefit from the state experience.

Hersey: Alessia Olhava (high jump), Natalia Jackowski (high jump), Barbara Rydzewski (discus), Erin Moran (800). Olhava tied for sixth in Class 3A last year for the high jump and will be in contention for a state medal this weekend. Rydzewski enters with the fifth-best qualifying mark for discus.

Schaumburg: Maddie Marasco (800), Megan Gale (pole vault), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. Marasco will be in contention for state title in the 800. Evanston senior Enyaeva Michelin enters with the top mark (2:09.16), with Marasco entering as No. 2 at (2:11.82). It should be a memorable race. Marasco will also play a big part in the relays. The Saxons have medaled two consecutive years in 3,200 relay and seem to be in good place this season with Maggy Centeno, Lauren Kubinski, and Rachael Vaccaro joining Marasco.

Hoffman Estates: Makiyha Blackwell (shot put, discus), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. The Hawks are looking for a repeat from last season when they earned state medals in both the 1,600 relay (6th place) and 3,200 relay (5th place). Anna Miller, Mikkaela Palmer, and Nikki Rong are big part of the Hawks' relay effort. Blackwell returns to state and will be in contention for a medal in both shot put and discus.

Maine West: Alisa Fallon (shot put, discus), Angela Dugalic (400), Nicole Palarz (300 low hurdles). Fallon won both the shot put and discus at the Niles West sectional. Last year she finished fifth in the discus for Class 3A. She will be in contention for medals in both events this year. Dugalic also has had an impressive spring and taking first in the 400 (58.17) at Niles West.

Leyden: Ester Aldana (long jump, 100, 200). Aldana swept to three titles at the Lyons sectional, earning first place in the long jump, 100 dash, and 200 dash. She will be seeking her first state track medal this weekend.

St. Viator: In Class 2A, freshman Katie Castelli had a strong cross country season for the Lions and it carried over to the track season. Castelli took first in the 3,200 (11:23.30) at the Lisle sectional to earn a spot in the Class 2A finals.

- Michael Eaken