Knights second in relays to WW South
Wheaton Warrenville South's girls track and field team is picking up outdoors where it left off indoors.
WW South won the DuPage Valley Conference indoor title and kept rolling Friday evening at the fourth annual Prospect Relays.
The Tigers won 9 of the 18 events on ideal spring evening in cruising to the title with 146 points at Prospect.
Host Prospect won four events in taking second with 114 points, followed by Warren (98), Wheeling (88), Rolling Meadows (58), and Elk Grove (28).
"We have extremely motivated upperclassmen," said WW South coach Rob Harvey, whose team also won at Moline last weekend. "They know how they do individually will affect the team, but they care more about the team than individual awards."
And the seniors showed it on Friday.
Senior Alicia Zimmerman cleared 10 feet in the pole vault to lead the Tigers to first place, and she was also part of the first-place 800-meter relay (1:47.8) and 1,600 relay (4:17.8).
Senior Allie Winberg hit 38-7 in the shot put and 109-0.5 in the discus to give the Tigers two more titles.
Prospect showed its depth in the distance events. Amy Abdnor, Jeanette Wochinski, Kasey Krum, and Annette White led a victory in the 3,200 relay (9:44.9).
Claire Hollis, Emily Salzman, Lucy Taylor and White then combined to win the distance medley (12:36.8) by setting a school record.
Hollis came back to finish second individually in the distance medley running the mile in 5:19.
"I just felt so good, I didn't want to leave anything on the track," said Hollis of her effort. "We know we have a strong distance group and we all push each other. If one of us is improving the rest of us are improving also, no one want to be left behind."
Jen Nowak led the Knights to first place in the triple jump hitting 35-3.75, with Erin Ward powering Prospect to first in the long jump.
Junior Olivia Semeria powered Wheeling to a pair of victories in the 800 medley (1:55.2) and 400 (51.7) relays.
Semeria combined with Amber Wentzloff, Amber Hackney and Amber Stack in the 800 medley. The junior then came back and joined Wentzloff, Hackney, and Lori Felix in the 400 relay.
Semeria qualified for state individually in the 100 and also was a part of the Wildcats' state-qualifying 400 and 800 relays last season.
"The confidence is still there but we have to work hard," said Semeria of the sprint relays, which lost some key members to graduation. "This is a good starting point for this group."
Wheeling also took first in the throwers 400 relay (57.7).
Junior Amanda Whowell took third individually to lead Rolling Meadows to first in the 4 x 1,600 relay. Whowell combined with Christina Gastfield, Colleen Vrshek, and Michelle Mayer.
"I've done all the work this winter, so I'm ready," said Whowell, who is looking to advance downstate this season. "I have a lot to prove to myself."
Elk Grove's Gina Erbacci took fourth individually in the 4 x 1,600 relay.