Up, up and away
It was a night like none other for Benet senior Kelsey Ontko.
The Duke-bound sprinter and jumper had a single-minded resolve to match her brilliance, and the Redwings achieved a program first as a result.
The Class AA Waubonsie Valley girls track and field sectional was unquestionably the toughest and deepest in the state; there were an astonishing 59 at-large qualifiers to augment the 36 automatic bids Friday night in Aurora, and Ontko was the star of the show.
"This is the best time of my track career," Ontko said.
The Redwings' standout won the long jump and stunned Waubonsie Valley superstar Shakeia Pinnick in the 200 meters, only to conclude her night with runner-up results in the 100 dash and 400 meters.
"All the hard work has finally paid off," Ontko said after leading the Redwings to their first sectional title in program history. "I'm living proof that anything can happen. Never in my wildest dreams did I think (I could beat Pinnick in the 200)."
Benet had 88 points on the night, defeating runner-up Batavia (65) and Neuqua Valley (60); Waubonsie Valley was fourth, while Naperville North and Glenbard South tied for fifth.
Naperville Central tied for seventh with Plainfield North, and St. Francis' Katy Garcia became the first big-school state qualifier for the Spartans with her 5-3 effort in the high jump.
Wheaton Warrenville South qualified three relays and three individuals.
"So many heroic things happened tonight," Benet coach Scott Brooks said. "(The girls) were in this together. Kelsey is just so talented, and this was the greatest day of her life athletically."
McKinzie Schulz turned back a nails-tough field in the open 800, using a late burst to overcome local favorites Toni Ogundare of Waubonsie Valley, returning state-finalist Sara Hartley of Neuqua Valley and Pinnick.
"I challenged them at the end, and no one really fought back," Schulz said after winning in 2 minutes, 14.9 seconds. "That was my favorite race of the night."
Schulz also qualified in the 1,600 meters, which Naperville North junior Michelle Stratton dominated over the final 300 meters to win in 5:13.2.
State-hardened veterans Monika Jakutyte, Katie Vuckovich and Krista Stillson won the high jump, shot put and triple jump, respectively, for Neuqua Valley.
Jessica Carter captured the discus title for Naperville Central with an effort of 128-3 and advanced in the shot put as well.
Pinnick duplicated Ontko by qualifying in four individual events; the Warriors' sensation was also second to defending state runner-up Natalie Tarter of Batavia in the 100 hurdles.
But Pinnick received a measure of redemption by handing Tarter her first loss of the outdoor season with a blistering 42.4-second performance in the 300 hurdles.
"I might have been a little angry," Pinnick said.
"(Tarter) got me in the 100 hurdles, and I got her in the 300s. I know (Tarter is) good."
Glenbard South two-time all-state 400 runner Libby O'Brien not only won her specialty event but also anchored two Raiders' relays to state berths.
Naperville North, which qualified all four of its quartets, won the meet-opening 3,200 relay behind sisters Erica and Jamie Schertz.