No shortage of state champs for Tri-Cities area
CHARLESTON - The Illinois Math and Science Academy began its academic origins as a second campus for West Aurora.
Batavia and Geneva high schools have a rivalry as potent as any in the state.
But the four schools were kindred souls after the second day of the girls track and field state championships on Saturday at Eastern Illinois' O'Brien Stadium.
In a remarkable display of symmetry, the schools each produced a state champion in a brilliant display of literally overcoming barriers.
IMSA junior Amber Farrell set the stage by winning the 100 hurdles in the Class 2A final; West Aurora senior Shanice Andrews followed suit moments later by claiming the first title in program history in the large-schools' 100-meter hurdles race.
Farrell later made it a clean sweep in the hurdles with her dominant performance in the 300 variety, only to see Batavia senior Kathryn Warner stun the field in the Class 3A 300 hurdles final.
In between the athletes' parade to the top of the podium, Geneva senior Allie Pace, reviving the Vikings' tradition established by two-time champion Sarah Landau, claimed a fifth state championship for local athletes with her pole vault victory.
Andrews completed an undefeated outdoor season in the 100 hurdles, edging East St. Louis' Timeka Watkins in her first true test this year in the event.
Andrews, who later ended months of speculation by confirming her commitment to Wichita State, was electrifying all day for West Aurora.
The senior placed in both the long and triple jumps and fell short of a second title to Warner and Harlem senior Jenna Combs in the 300 hurdles.
"I didn't even know that (no West Aurora female had ever won a state title in track) until (Friday)," said Andrews, who edged Watkins 14.09-14.34 seconds. "I opened up my stride like I've never opened it up before."
Andrews' ascension means the Class 3A 100 hurdles trophy remains in Aurora after Waubonsie Valley standout Shakeia Pinnick won last year.
Andrews said the departure of Pinnick (Arizona State) and former Batavia great Natalie Tarter (Wisconsin) opened the way for her historic win.
"I was so excited when they (graduated)," Andrews said.
With Jasmine Ranson also placing in the triple jump and Mariah Smith maintaining her fifth-place position in the discus, West Aurora scored 33 points to earn seventh place in the team standings.
Warner could not have scripted a more improbable conclusion to her high school track career.
"I started practicing (the 300 hurdles) just a few weeks ago," Warner said after claiming the title in 43.43 seconds over Combs and Andrews. "To walk away with a state championship is amazing."
Equally remarkable, Warner has been competing with a torn labrum after having her promising junior campaign terminated with a hip injury.
"I actually have to have surgery on June 16th to fix it," Warner said. "I don't even know how I'm going to tell (Tarter, the 2008 Class AA champion at 300 meters, about my win)."
Geneva senior Alissa Dappas was fifth in the 300 hurdles after also placing at 100 meters for a second straight year.
Pace, one year removed from a runner-up finish, won the pole vault by clearing 12 feet.
"It was a great field of girls," said Pace, who had some uncharacteristic early misses. "I managed to clear (the heights) when it mattered. I really wish I would have had a better day with my height."
In addition to the Pace triumph and Dappas' twin medals, Taylor Wickware was sixth in the 800; Geneva finished tied with Downers Grove South for 14th overall.
Farrell left no doubt in her twin victories.
"After the preliminaries I thought as long as I could do my best that I could win at least one of them," Farrell said. "I was really nervous (at the start of the 100 hurdles). (Bloomington senior Kelly Steffens) definitely pushed me."
Farrell was sixth in the 200 meters to score all 24 of the Titans' points, good for a seventh-place team tie in the Class 2A standings.
Rosary junior Anna Deufel was fourth in the Class 2A 100 dash and ninth at 200 meters.