Single-minded Flanagan advances

Forgive Lake Park's Lindsay Flanagan for having a one-track mind, but the junior has her eyes set on one thing.

Winning a state title.

The junior took a step in the right direction at the St. Charles North sectional, breezing to the victory in her only event, the 3,200.

"I'm only focusing on one thing so I really wanted to push it," said Flanagan, who led from start to finish in the 3,200. "Having one event, I can put everything into it."

"She set her goals on winning a state championship and she really focused on achieving that," added Lake Park coach Brian Hesik. "It was tough to convince her to run only one event, but she has bought into it."

Defending state champion Barrington won the sectional title with 108 points, followed by Conant (89 points) and Hoffman Estates (64).

Junior Juliet Vogel in the 800 and Rachel Kruezer in the pole vault also qualified for the Lancers.

Sophomore Annette Eichenberger won and qualified in the 800 for West Chicago. Eichenberger took control of the race in the final 100 meters for the victory.

"It was a pretty fast first lap, but I was just running my own race," Eichenberger said. "At the end I just gave it all I had."

Kristen Johansen also qualified for the Wildcats in the shot put.

Jackie Laesch qualified for Wheaton North in the 1,600 and also was part of the Falcons' 3,200 relay team that qualified.

"It was exciting to have so many girls that I knew that I could run with," Laesch said of the final heat of the 1,600.

Also qualifying for the Falcons were Alexa Reinecke in the 800 and Janessa Armstrong in the pole vault.

Janet Plonka took first and qualified in the high jump for Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers also had Jasmyn Steele, Erin Aubrey, Angela Stearn, and Bridget Flanagan combine to qualify in the 400 and 800 relays.

Meghan Court cleared 11-6, taking first in the pole vault for Glenbard North, with Nicolette Rini in the discus and Marissa Gaskill in the 1,600 also qualifying.

"I feel pretty confident about next week," said Court, who took 11th in the pole vault last season at the state meet. "I won't have the nerves like I had last year."