Off to a fast start at state
CHARLESTON - The two hurdles races have almost become the exclusive domain of the western suburbs in recent years at the girls track and field championships.
The legacy gained greater currency in the aftermath of the semifinals on Friday morning and afternoon at Eastern Illinois' O'Brien Stadium.
In the Class 3A 300-meter hurdles, West Aurora star Shanice Andrews, who earlier posted the fastest time in the 100 variety, overcame Geneva senior Alissa Dappas in the home stretch to capture another top-three seed.
In an earlier heat at 300 meters, Batavia senior Kathryn Warner exorcized her injury-plagued junior year with another finals-making performance.
Dappas was not about to be left out, earning at-large bids at both 100 and 300 meters in her quest to duplicate her twin medal efforts from last year.
As if the five combined championship berths were not impressive enough, IMSA junior Amber Farrell is a prohibitive favorite for both hurdles races after obliterating her competition in the Class 2A tournament.
Andrews single-handedly lifted West Aurora to new heights with an equally dazzling performance in the field.
The senior guided the Plainfield Central sectional champion Blackhawks to program firsts by becoming a four-event state finalist.
Andrews' exceptional day concluded with another school-smashing performance in the triple jump-38 feet, 3.5 inches-after earlier finishing in seventh place in the long jump preliminaries.
The Blackhawks' sensation stands in fourth place in the triple jump, with the distinct possibility of becoming the first state champion in school history in the 100-meter hurdles.
"I have been working hard for four years," said Andrews, who clocked a 14.35-second time. "I am really happy. After the 300 hurdles I was so tired (before the triple jump)."
But Dappas' inspiration paid dividends for her summer training partner.
"(She and I) said that we were going to push each other," Andrews said of her showdown in the final heat at 300 meters.
"Shanice had a phenomenal day," West Aurora coach Teresa Towles said.
In addition to Andrews' historic feat, last locally produced by Batavia immortal Natalie Tarter three years ago, the Blackhawks' record seven state finalists were cemented when Illinois-bound thrower Mariah Smith eked out a berth in the shot put and later fired a personal-best 129 feet in the discus to place fifth heading into the finals.
"Andrews' triple-jump partner, junior Jasmine Ranson, stands seventh after bettering her personal high from the Kane County meet.
"I just wanted to make it to finals," said Smith. "I just have to dig deep (today)."
Warner and Dappas had to weather the talented fields at 300 meters to ensure one-third of the final will have a local flavor.
"My mind was everywhere," Warner said after failing to land a coveted spot in the pole vault final. "I wasn't really focused. I think I could potentially do pretty well (in the 300 final)."
Dappas, meanwhile, had the added onus of living up to the expectations of having the fastest sectional time.
"Being No. 1 coming into (the 300 hurdles) was a lot of pressure," Dappas said. "Hopefully I can bring it (today)."
Allie Pace and Taylor Wickware extended their season to the limit for Geneva in the pole vault and 800-meter run, respectively, and Maya Rittmanic survived the cut in the high jump for St. Charles East.
Batavia sophomore Haleigh Theuerkauf had the last of the local large-school finals berths in the shot put.
Farrell and Rosary junior Anna Deufel combined for five sprinting and hurdles qualifications as both made the cut at 200 meters.
Deufel is a top contender at 100 meters in the middle tier of the three-class state series, and Farrell is sitting pretty after posting the two fastest times in her two hurdles events.
"I was just trying to get my best times," Farrell said. "My thinking was that if I could get my best times today, it would be even better tomorrow."
Kaneland junior Brooke Patterson is still alive in the pole vault.