Jacobs' Ross takes 3rd in pole vault
CHARLESTON--The circumstances for Crystal Lake South sophomore Kristina Aubert were vastly different on Eastern Illinois' main stage Saturday.
The defending Class AA state champion in the 3,200 run, Aubert struggled to keep pace with the frontrunners, eventually settling for seventh place in the event won by Sandburg senior Kristin Sutherland, out for track for the first time in her career.
"I was pretty disappointed," Aubert said. "It was different from last year. Those girls are talented, so I knew they were going to go out fast. It's a fast year (for distance runners)."
Aubert rallied late to come close to her winning time from last spring at O'Brien Stadium, ending her season with a time of 10 minutes, 56.72 seconds.
Crystal Lake South was the lone area program with more than one finalist on the second day of the girls track and field finals; the Gators' 3,200 relay, which consisted of Marianne Collard, Stephanie Woods, Emily Lenzini and Chelsey Tyllia, failed to place.
"It's so emotional," said Tyllia, the only senior in the group. "It just felt good to be running among the best, regardless of where we finished. (On Friday) we dropped about 10 seconds (off their personal record)."
Jacobs' Sarah Ross had the best local showing; the senior was in contention for top honors in the pole vault.
Ross and Palatine senior Jocelyn Kuksa both cleared 11 feet, 6 inches, but Lincoln-Way Central senior Jenna Wexter employed a risky gambit.
Passing until 12 feet, Wexler cleared the height on her first attempt -- the only mark she cleared for the day -- and it paid off when neither of her pursuers could match the height.
Ross fell to third on more misses at lower heights.
Bartlett miler Alyssa Schneider was unable to continue her magic in the 1,600 run.
Schneider obliterated her personal-best time in the event in the Friday preliminaries to gain entrance to the finals, but the Hawks' freshman could not keep pace in the blistering pace.
Schneider missed all-state recognition by one place in the event Bloomington senior Ashley Verplank defended with a smoldering 4:54.99.
"I was really happy with my time and place," Schneider said. "I was expecting a 5:10 (on Friday). There was no way I thought I could run (better than) a 5:05. Never."
Huntley senior Krissy Bergquist was unable to better her position in the triple jump, ending her prep career with 12th place.
"Coming in, my goal was to make finals," said Bergquist, Western Illinois-bound next fall to play volleyball. "I was proud to be at least be in the finals."
In the Class A 3,200 run, Hampshire sophomore Holly Plichta captured the first heat to place 10th overall.
St. Edward senior Ashley Lucas was third in the opening heat to end her Green Wave career with a 15th-place result.
East St. Louis turned back defending champion Barrington to claim the big-schools' team championship, and Benton easily defended its Class A title behind three-event champion Leah Orley.