Hampshire's 3,200 relay claims state title
CHARLESTON - Hampshire made it look easy in winning its heat of the 3,200-meter relay in Friday's preliminaries.
The Whip-Purs had to work a bit harder on Saturday at the IHSA Class 2A finals at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium.
Yorkville had the lead and the momentum entering the final exchange with Hampshire battling Rochelle for second.
But Sophomore Cassie Kruse found the right gear with 200 meters remaining, using a lean at the finish line to narrowly defeat Yorkville and secure the 3,200 state title in a Class 2A record time of 9:22.05.
Yorkville (9:22.05) took second followed by Rochelle (9:22.49) in a scintillating finish, giving the Whip-Purs the state title.
"My main goal was just to catch her," said Kruse of her final burst. "I wanted to win it for my team, we all wanted it."
Springfield Southeast won the Class 2A team title with 57 points, followed by Bloomington (48 points) and Danville (46 points).
Freshman Paige Membrano, senior Tiffany Phu, senior Holly Plichta, and Kruse combined to lead the Whip-Purs to the victory.
Plichta did not run in Friday's preliminaries but aided the Whip-Purs to their title on Saturday. The senior came back to take an impressive sixth place in the 3,200 run in a time of 11:18.39.
"We thought it would be smart and we wanted to go for the win," said Plichta of joining the 3,200 relay. "I'm so happy to come back and get sixth in the 1,600 after the relay; what more can you do. I was drained but I felt awesome."
Kruse flashed her closing speed again in taking third in the 800 (2:17.02) after being boxed in early in the race.
"I'm happy with what I did," said Kruse. "I felt strong and I came back tried to win it."
Burlington Central senior Maggie Gannon capped a stellar career by taking sixth in the 1,600 in a time of 5:08.73.
The Iowa State-bound Gannon had been fighting a virus for much of the track season, but ended it on a high note.
"I wanted to leave it all on the track," said Gannon of her medal run. "There were a lot of strong runners, but it was a good way to end."
Junior Caille Thommes and freshman Katie Trupp also came up big for the Rockets. Thommes and Trupp went 4-5 in the high jump, both clearing 5 feet, 2 inches.
"We work well together," said Thommes of her and Trupp's 1-2 punch. "We support each other and I think it helped today." Hinsdale Central won the Class 3A championship with 47.5 points with East St. Louis (44 points) nipping Thornton (43 points) for third.
Cary-Grove's Carly Loeffel tied for fifth in the high jump clearing 5-4. The junior did not have a miss until the bar was raised to 5-6.
"It felt awesome," said Loeffel, who made good on her first state appearance. "I'm happy with what happened. It definitely gives me motivation for next year."
Bartlett's Alyssa Schneider found herself in quite a battle in the 1,600, but the Hawk junior came through to finish sixth with a time of 5:02.64.
"I didn't know what would happen until I crossed the finish line," said Schneider of the battle. "Now I just have to try and keep climbing."
Crystal Lake South's Marianne Collard also had her hands full in taking fourth in the 1,600 (4:58.12).
The Gator junior made a move on Whitney Young's Lavina Jurkiewicz (4:58.05) in the final stages, but came up a bit short.
"I was trying to break into the top three," said Collard, who hit a career best mark. "But I'm still happy with my finish."
Kristina Aubert won the state title for Crystal Lake South in the 3,200 as a freshman, and this year the senior seemed to return to form in emerging from the early heat to place ninth in 10:49.10, which eclipsed her state title time in 2007 (10:52)
"It took a lot of mental focus," said Aubert of her mark. "This is my favorite race and it always will be. The last home stretch will leave a good memory."