Neuqua jumps for joy again

CHARLESTON -- Neuqua Valley needs a special trophy case for its state-championship jumpers.

Following in the tradition of Jennie Whitman (triple jump) and Jackie Coleman (long jump), senior Monika Jakutyte ended three years of frustration at the Class AA girls track and field state finals Saturday at Eastern Illinois' O'Brien Stadium.

The senior, injured last year in an attempt to make a run at the high jump title, preserved to claim the lone area state title. Jakutyte, a native of Lithuania, soared 5 feet, 6 inches for top honors.

"It took four years, but I did it," Jakutyte said. "The school is doing all right (in individual track state titles). We've only been open a little over 10 years."

Jakutyte had to deal with yet another nagging injury, not to mention twice rattling the bar, to secure the victory.

Benet had the finest team performance. Workhorses Kelsey Ontko and McKinzie Schulz powered the Redwings to 12th overall.

Ontko qualified in four events, leapfrogging nine competitors in the long jump to snare one of three runner-up finishes.

"What a perfect place to do it," Ontko said of her 18-10¼ effort, which vaulted her from 11th to second. "All of a sudden the wind just stopped (on her second attempt during finals). It felt really good to qualify in four events, a great way to end my high school career."

Schulz augmented the pair of Ontko finishes in the 200 and 400 meters by claiming third in the 800 meters.

Schulz and Ontko ended their day by teaming up on the Redwings' seventh-place 1,600 relay.

"The 800 was my best race, probably of the season," Schulz said of her career-best 2-minute, 11.81-second time. "I have two more years, and I'm going to get (a state title). I didn't think I was going to get third."

Waubonsie Valley and Benet have traded salvos all spring, and the Warriors were right behind the Redwings once again.

Toni Ogundare was fourth in the 800 for Waubonsie Valley, and Shakeia Pinnick had yet another heartbreaking loss in the 300 hurdles.

The Warriors' junior standout was fourth earlier in the 100 hurdles was looking for a win at 300 meters after placing second the last two years.

But Pinnick had a poor run up to the first hurdle, and Batavia junior Natalie Tarter, third last year, made her pay.

Tarter never let up and negated a classic Pinnick push down the stretch to give her a third consecutive runner-up result.

"I was running too fast (at the first hurdle)," Pinnick said. "I have been jumping off the wrong foot. Towards the end I was trying to get it back."

Tarter was timed in 42.14 seconds, sixth-tenths quicker than Pinnick.

The 3,200 run was yet another close call for an area contestant; Lake Park junior Lindsay Flanagan had yet to taste defeat in the event.

The Lancers' indoor state champion led the entire way for the opening seven laps, only to see Sandburg senior Kristin Sutherland -- in her first year of organized track -- respond late to snare the title.

Flanagan was second in 10:36.34.

Glenbard South junior Libby O'Brien earned all-state status in the 400 for the third straight year, and Glenbard West and Glenbard North were also represented on the state dais.

Janet Plonka placed for the Hilltoppers in the high jump, and Meghan Court did likewise in the pole vault for the Panthers.

Hinsdale Central and Naperville North combined for five state-placing relays.