Girls track: Wheeling's feeling great downstate
CHARLESTON - The Wheeling girls track and field team had been waiting for a breakthrough moment, and the Wildcats got one on Friday in the Class 3A girls track and field high school state meet preliminaries at Eastern Illinois and O'Brien Field.
The Wildcats' 1,600 relay had a pair of near misses the past two seasons in the Class 3A prelims.
In 2016, the Wildcats missed qualifying for the 1,600 relay finals by one spot, finishing in 10th place. And last year, they finished two spots away from a place in the finals after running to the 11th-best qualifying mark.
But the Wildcats were on target on Friday, with junior Nosa Igiehon, junior Nicole Nguyen, senior Yailene Leon and junior Alexis Knight combining to take first in their prelimary heat with a time of 3:58.10 and reserving their place in Saturday's finals.
"This was three years in the making," said Wheeling coach Tim Nowicki. "They were driven today … they have been thinking about the 1,600 relay for a full year, and their experience paid off."
Igiehon and Nguyen put the Wildcats in good position in the first two legs, and Leon raced to the lead in the third leg, with Knight delivering a powerful final leg.
"We made a statement," said Knight, who also qualified individually in the 400 (56.48) and will be seeking her third consecutive state medal. "It feels amazing, we waited three years for this."
Leon took second in her heat to qualify with a personal best in the 800 (2:14.64). Nguyen won her heat and advanced in the 300 low hurdles (44.84).
"It's my final year and I wanted to have a big year," said Leon.
"We want people to know who Wheeling is, we wanted to make a statement," said Nguyen.
The Wildcats will have another chance to make a statement on Saturday, as the finals in all three classes begin at 10 a.m.
Naperville North won the Class 3A cross country title in the fall, and the Huskies will be looking to add the Class 3A girls track and field title on Saturday.
Junior Halle Bieber qualified in both the 100 high hurdles and the 300 low hurdles to pace Naperville North attack. Homewood-Flossmoor, Glenbard West, DeKalb and Whitney Young have also positioned themselves well for a state trophy.
Buffalo Grove senior Nya Carr certainly looked comfortable on Friday. Last year, Carr took seventh in the 100 dash. This time, she'll have a pair of chances to add to her medal count.
Carr started her day by hitting a career best and qualifying in the long jump (18-05). Next, she won her heat of the 100 dash (12.12).
"It just felt really good today," said Carr, who just missed qualifying in the 200 (24.99). "My goal was just to stay relaxed. With my state experience, it has been so much easier this year and I feel like I'm in a good spot."
Barrington's distance squad once again rose to the challenge.
Freshman Katherine Shein, junior Sophie Hoeltgen, sophomore Alyssa Norris, and freshman Molly Fitzpatrick started the Fillies' effort by advancing to Saturday's finals with second-fastest time in the 3,200 relay (9:16.91).
Norris ran a critical third leg before Fitzpatrick sealed the win with her anchor leg.
"We came in knowing we had a shot, but we always surprise ourselves with that relay," said Fitzpatrick.
Senior Jocelyn Long (4:55.91) and Fitzpatrick (4:59.53) then paired up to advance in the 1,600.
"I'm feeling good," said Long who will also compete in the 3,200 on Saturday. "It is so amazing having such a strong distance squad down here."
Palatine also made a strong statement on Friday.
Junior Erin Oleksak advanced to Saturdays finals in the high jump (5-4) and the 100 high hurdles (15.0). Junior Jess Streepy advanced in the pole vault (10-9), with freshman Anya Ball advancing in the high jump (5-4). And freshman Ann Marie Jordan and junior Kate Lechowicz will compete in the 3,200 finals.
"I'm excited," said Oleksak. "It will be my first time making it to the finals, and I definitely have some goals for tomorrow."
Schaumburg senior Maddie Marasco also seems to be in good position for finals. She started her day by combining with seniors Lauren Kubinski, Rachael Vaccaro, and Maggy Centeno to advance the Saxons' 3,200 relay (9:21.23).
Marasco then ran a controlled 800 (2:15.44), winning her heat and advancing to the finals, where she will be one of the favorites.
"I wanted to make sure I ran a smart race," said Marasco of her 800 victory. "It will be a competitive field tomorrow but I'm excited."
Sophomore Lia Skoufos, senior Mikayla Olsen, senior Sydney Kitzmiller and junior Julia O'Grady combined to push Prospect to a spot in the 3,200 relay finals (9:23.72).
"We are all excited to be here," said Olsen of the Knights' season-best run.
Hersey advanced two individuals to the finals, as junior Alessia Olhava qualified in the high jump (5-4) and senior Barbara Rydzewski advanced in the discus (128-11) with the fifth-best mark.
Both Olhava and Rydzewski came through on their last attempt. Olhava was down to her last mark before clearing the cutoff mark, and Rydzewski came through on her final throw.
Hoffman Estates' Makiyha Blackwell will compete in Saturday's finals in the shot put (41-06). She qualified with the fourth-best mark.
Maine West senior Alisa Fallon advanced in both the shot put (40-06) and discus (138-06). She produced the fifth-best mark in shot put and the second-best in discus.
"Experience helps a lot," said Fallon, who finished last season in the discus. "I am looking forward to the opportunity tomorrow."
Ester Aldena advanced for Leyden in the long jump (18-9.75).