Conant, Prospect back in business
Conant and Prospect both picked up state medals in relays last May at the Class AA state meet in Charleston.
Conant used its speed to bring home a third-place medal in the 400 relay (47.8) and a fourth in the 800 relay (1:41.6) -- both times school records.
Prospect used its endurance to secure a sixth-place medal in the 3,200 relay (9:19.49), also setting a school record.
Both schools return with each of their relays intact and are looking to get back to business at 17th annual Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor Classic today at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington.
What's billed as the "unofficial indoor state meet" will begin with field events at 10 a.m. and running events starting at 11.
Conant enters the meet with the third fastest indoor time in the 800 relay (1:46.04). Proviso East (1:43.64) is the top seed -- and the Cougars are looking forward to the challenge.
"We don't get to see these teams too often during the regular season," said Conant coach Bob Borczak. "We want to show them what we can do."
Toni Graham, Destiny Arps, Briana Millar, and Joelle Lein will lead the Cougars in the 800.
While Graham grabbed the spotlight last season in Charleston with her second-place finish in the 100 and 200 dashes, Arps has flown under the radar. But her talent has not gone unnoticed by her coach.
"On any other team she would be the top runner," Borczak said. "She is a stud. she always gives the baton to Toni in great shape."
Graham will also run the 55 and 200, with Arps joining her in the 55. Kalli Dalton qualified for the Cougars in the 1,600.
Prospect enters the meet with the third fastest indoor time in the 3,200 relay (9:39.14). Last year, Lucy Taylor, Claire Hollis, Emily Salzman, and Amy Abdnor led Prospect to a second-straight state medal in the 2-mile relay.
The Knights will be well-represented in the individual events -- with Annette White (1,600), Emily Gruendel (shot put), Christie Kollias (pole vault) and Taylor (1,600).
While Conant and Prospect will rely on their experience, Hoffman Estates will turn to a rising star.
Sophomore Hannah Worman qualified for the 1,600 and will also be part of the 3,200 relay.
Worman already set two individual indoor school records this season, in the 800 (2:23.6) and 1,600 (5:15.6). The sophomore joined Amy Schwent, Gaby Duenes, and Heather Bartos to set a 3,200 relay indoor mark (9:43.6).
"She's the real deal," said Hoffman coach Dan Anderson. "She's extremely talented, but also a hard worker."
Altrese Hawkins (long jump), Ashley Chervinko (shot put), Victoria Mikszta (high jump) and Schwent will also be competing for the Hawks.
Rolling Meadows will be represented by Mandy Streu (shot put), Erlena Josefi (3,200) and Amanda Whowell (1,600).
Emily Gallup ( 1,600) will represent Schaumburg, which also qualified its 3,200 relay.
Other area individuals include Fremd's Elizabeth Mellado (pole vault) and Elk Grove's Gina Erbaci (3,200).