Dalton, Conant in winning form

Conant's senior Kalli Dalton has had plenty of success in 1,600. She finished sixth in Class AA as a freshman, then took fourth in Class AA as a sophomore.

Injuries and illness hampered her progress as a junior, but the senior was back in rare form Friday at Conant's 18th annual Cougar Twilight in Hoffman Estates.

Dalton electrified the crowd on a cool spring night at Charles Feutz Field by charging to the lead in final 300 meters to win the 1,600 (5:08.0), nipping Buffalo Grove's freshman Olivia Jones (5:08.1) in a loaded field.

Dalton also won the 800 (2:18.6) and combined with Sarah Gorden, Allison Gallo, and Christina Tortorici to take first in the 1,600 relay (4:08) - propelling the Cougars to the title with 209.5 points.

Hoffman Estates (196.5) edged Prospect (196) for third, with Lake Park (146.5) and Hersey (94 points) rounding out the top five in the 12-team three class invite.

Conant won five of the final six races in the Class A division to nail down the victory, with Dalton having a hand in the three of the races.

"At this point I really don't care what it is," said Dalton who has been nursing a shin injury. "I'm just going to keep chugging through it and hope I can finish the race."

The Mississippi State-bound senior did just that in running the final 2 laps of the mile in 2:33.

"That was the old Kalli," said Conant coach Bob Borczack of his senior's final surge. "It was an experienced and smart Kalli. That's what seniors are supposed to do - step up."

Hoffman Estates' Hannah Worman (5:09.6) led going into the final lap before finishing third, and Jones made a mad dash for the victory in final 100 meters. But Dalton finished the deal.

"She came out of nowhere," said Jones, "I tried to catch her as best as I could."

Josie Hutch aided the Cougars' title drive by taking first in the 100 high hurdles (15.5) and long jump (16-4). Gorden cruised to victory in the 300 high hurdles (45.5), and Gallo added a victory in the 400 (61.3).

Conant also took first in the 800 relay (1:46.7)

Precious Ogunleye took first in both the shot put (40-1) and discus (122-6) in leading Hoffman to second.

"I had a shaky meet on Tuesday," Ogunleye said, "but I was able to bounce back tonight."

The Hawks added a victory in the 400 relay (50.0).

Prospect showed some promise by taking first in the 3,200 relay (9:40), and Erin Ward added a victory in the pole vault (10-0).

"I definitely think we have the potential," said Kasey Krum, who ran the final leg of the Knights' 2-mile relay. "I definitely think we'll keep improving."

Lindsay Flanagan cruised to first in the 3,200 (10:55.8), and Amanda Rafidia added a pair of victories in the high jump (5-6) and 200 (25.4) for Lake Park.

"I got out of my block really well," said Rafidia, who set a school record in the 200. "I think my speed is going to help in the high jump."

Hersey's Tia Roberson (12.5) edged Conant's Angela Herrmann (12.6) and Hoffman's Sharron Jones (12.8) to win the 100 dash.

"I felt them closing in," Roberson said. "But I like the competition."

Bartlett's Becca Cronin took first in the triple jump, hitting 37-5.5 on her first attempt to lead the Hawks.

"I've picked it up pretty quick," said Cronin, a senior, who is in her first season of track. "I've just been working to perfect it."