Girls track: Northwest state meet preview

Where: Eastern Illinois University O'Brien Stadium in Charleston

When: Friday's preliminaries field event 12:30 p.m, running events at 1:35 p.m. Saturday final parade of competitors at 10 a.m. followed by field event finals at 11 a.m.; running events begin at 12:15 p.m.

Team outlook: The 36th annual Class AA state meet seems to be wide open. Defending champion Barrington and East St. Louis look to be the early favorites. Last year the Fillies took first in state in both the 3,200 relay and 1,600 relay; they will rely on the two pillars again this year to support their title aspirations. Molly Glantz, Samantha Learch, Rebbeca Tracy and Kala Bingham combined to set a school record in the 3,200 relay (9:03.34) at the St. Charles North sectional and enter the state meet with the top time.

East St. Louis is led by senior sprinter/hurdler Ronecia Nash. Last year Nash won state titles in both the 100 and 200 dashes this year the Flyerette senior enters the state meet with the top qualifying time in both 100 (11.94) and 200 (23.64), along with the second best time in the 100 high hurdles (14.14).

Natalie Tartar leads Batavia, as the junior enters the state meet with the top qualifying mark in the 100 high hurdles (13.74) and second-best mark in the 300 low hurdles (43.64). Belleville West is led by junior sprinter Yolanda Suggs, who enters the state meet with the second-best qualifying time in the 100 (11.94) and 200 (24.54). Thornton will also be in the hunt as senior Diane Lindsey has the top qualifying mark in the long jump (18-6) and senior Alexandria Smith has the top mark in the triple jump (39-7).

Conant will be seeking its first state trophy as Toni Graham, Brianna Millar, Emily Quinones and Destiny Arps combined to give the Cougars the top qualifying time in the 400 (47.54) and 800 (1:41.14) relays. Palatine is peaking at the right time and Jocelyn Kuksa will be a threat to win the pole vault, while Martha Shepard (shot put) and Lauren Orris (discus) are seeking to add points in the throws.

Individuals to watch

3,200 relay -- The Mid-Suburban League will be well represented. Barrington enters with the top time (9:03.34), but Palatine (9:25.44), Schaumburg (9:28.34), Hoffman Estates (9;34.64), and Prospect (9:37.44) have all put themselves in good position in obtaining a medal.

400 relay -- Conant enters with the top qualifying mark (47.54) will favorites. Barrington and Hoffman Estates also ran under 50.0.

3,200 run -- Wheeling's Amber Stack (10:44.14) enters with the second-best qualifying mark and seems to be more determined than ever. Annette White (Prospect), Sara McIntosh (Palatine), Megan Gojney (Hersey), Jaime Johnson (Leyden), and Gina Erbacci (Elk Grove) will also be seeking medals.

100 high hurdles -- Palatine's Kuksa (14.94) and Barrington's Glantz (15.34) are both looking to make Saturday's finals in a tough field.

100 dash -- Conant's Graham took second last year to East St. Louis's Nash in a photo finish the two look to renew their rivalry.

800 run -- The qualifying times from Ruth Allen (Palatine) and Lucy Taylor (Prospect) were in the top eight. Karen Lesiewicz (Schaumburg), Emily Salzman (Prospect), Erin McGrath (Buffalo Grove) and Amy Schwent (Hoffman Estates) are hoping to advance to Saturday's finals.

800 relay -- Can Conant go 2-for-2 in the sprint relays? The Cougars enter with the top qualifying mark of 1:41.14.

400 dash -- Leyden's Bridget Sanchez (58.34) and Barrington's Learch (58.84) both went under a minute at the sectionals and will be looking to advance to Saturday's finals.

300 low hurdles -- Barrington's Glantz took fifth at last years state meet and is hoping to duplicate or improve her standing this year, Palatine's Kuksa will also be in the hunt for a medal.

1,600 run -- Barrington's Tracy (5:03.34) enters Friday's prelims with the second-best qualifying mark and the junior has already gone sub-5:00 once this season. Stack (Wheeling), Amanda Whowell (Rolling Meadows), McIntosh (Palatine), Becca Sund (Palatine), Hannah Worman (Hoffman Estates), Britten Petrey (Schaumburg), and Gaby Duenes (Hoffman Estates) will also be in the loaded field.

200 dash -- Conant's Graham will be seeking her fourth state medal of the weekend in this event, she will be joined by fellow Cougar Destiny Arps.

1,600 relay -- Don't let the qualifying time fool you, Barrington (3:59.04) will be looking to capture the title for the second straight year, Palatine and Conant will also be seeking medals.

Long jump -- Fremd's Jamie Notaro (17-3), Hoffman's Altrese Hawkins (16-10.5), and Leyden's Klaudia Susul (16-8.5) are in the field.

Triple jump -- Buffalo Grove' Nicole LaMantia (36-1), Hersey's Paige Scott (35-9), and Barrington's Amy Madden (35-4.5) all qualified.

High jump -- Hoffman's Victoria Mikszta (5-3) qualified for the third straight year and will be joined by Fremd's Ashley Fullerton (5-1).

Pole vault -- Palatine's Kuksa (11-6) took third last year and enters the meet with the second-best qualifying mark. Barrington's Anna Etherington (11-0) and Fremd's Elizabeth Mellado (10-6) will also be in contention for a state medal.

Shot put -- Palatine's Martha Shepard hit a school record (43-8) at the sectionals. Keep an eye on Hoffman's Ashley Chervinko, Rolling Meadows' Mandy Streu, Prospect's Emily Gruendel.

Discus -- Palatine's Lauren Orris and Katie MacFabe give the Pirates a 1-2 punch.

What they're saying

"Friday will be a run-for-your-life kind of meet. You attack Friday and then regroup and set your goals for Saturday." -- Barrington coach Jody Gitelis

"I hate to lose, I've been keeping an eye on her (Nash) all season. Saturday's going to be interesting. I know I'm running, but if I wasn't running I'd love to watch it."-- Conant sprinter Toni Graham on her rivalry with East St. Louis' Ronecia Nash

"It's wide-open, there are seven or eight teams that could trophy. We'll have to do the job, but there are a number of events we can get points in." -- Palatine coach Steve Currins