Fremd goes the distance to take BG title

Fremd flew under the radar for most of the day at the Buffalo Grove Invite, but the Vikings hit their target at the end.

Fremd had only one individual winner, as senior Emi Sudo captured the 3,200-meter run in 11:40.7, but the Vikings did plenty of damage by picking up 3 second-place finishes, 7 thirds and 5 fourths in nipping Cary-Grove 145-143 to secure the title.

Senior Carly Loeffel powered Cary-Grove by taking firsts in the high jump (5-7) and long jump (16-11.5), while Lake Zurich’s sprinters pushed the Bears to third place with 104 points.

Neuqua Valley (96.5) and Lake Park (83 points) rounded out the top five in the eight team field.

Carmel junior Megan Paul won the 400 (58.1) and Neuqua Valley sophomore Savannah Carson showed she is the real deal by sweeping the 100 (12.2) and 200 (25.2) with state qualifying marks.

Fremd took care of business in the distance events with Sudo, sophomore Katie Filosa (11:47.5) and senior Victoria Moroney (12:00.50) going 1-3-4 in the 3,200.

Sophomore Kelly Breen (5:32.1) and Filosa (5:36.1) added a 3-4 finish in the 1,600, and Sam Bartolai (2:28.9) and Kaela Boldt (2:29.7) finished 3-4 in the 800 for Fremd.

“I think almost everyone in the distance had a personal record today,” said Fremd coach Halli Yoshimura, whose team also took second in the 3,200 relay (9:56.5). “It’s exciting because we’ve always done well at this meet, but we have never won it.”

Sudo took the lead in the final 200 meters to secure Fremd’s lone victory in the 3,200, helping set the tone for the Vikings.

“Our program is definitely growing year-by-year,” said Sudo, who was a state qualifier last year in the 3,200. “I’m really excited seeing the progress that the juniors and sophomores are making.”

Fremd also did the job in the jumps as Nikolette McKenzie (16-6), Emily Fujii (16-6) and Kelsey Onesto (15-11.5) went 2-3-4 in the long jump.

“We’ve been working really hard on technique,” McKenzie said.

Fremd’s Stephanie Uhrich added a second-place finish in the pole vault (9-6). The Vikings also did well in the 400 relay (third), 800 relay (third) and 1,600 relay (fourth).

“We have a really good team this year and our work is paying off,” said Onesto, who also took third in the 300 low hurdles (48.5). “There is a lot of talent this year and we’ve really been focused.”

Defending meet champion Cary-Grove gave the Vikings all they could handle aided by an all-around performance by Loeffel.

Loeffel tied for fifth in the high jump in Class 3A last season, then took second at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet in March. Despite her efforts, the senior still feels she has something to prove this season.

“I feel like I could have gone higher at state last season,” said Loeffel who also took second in the 200 (26.3) and fourth in the 400 (1:01.6). “I definitely want to go higher this year.”

The Trojans showed off their depth, too.

The junior foursome of Sarah Ryan, Anne McGarrille, Jenni Maki and Kathie Wollney combined to lead C-G to first in the 800 relay (1:46.5).

Last year that same group qualified for state in the event last year.

“We push each other really hard during workouts,” said Ryan, who also took second in the 100 (12.4) and third in the 200 (26.4). “I’ve worked really hard during the off season, and it seems to be paying off, but I still know there is a lot of competition out there.”

Wollney added a first in the 100 high hurdles (15.7), while Megan Jaquier (16.4) took third. Joslyn Nicholson won the triple jump (34-4). Lizzy Klicker added a second in the 300 low hurdles (46.4).

The Trojans also finished second in the 1,600 relay (4:12.6).

“We had a good day,” Cary-Grove coach Mark Anderson said. “We have a lot of confidence already, but a meet like this gives us a lot of momentum.”

Lake Zurich is also building momentum, especially with its sprinters.

Senior Marissa Wagner, senior Kelly Doheny, sophomore Lindsay Moritz and sophomore Teagan Hough blistered the track in taking first in the 400 relay (49.9).

Hough (12.7), Doheny (12.8) and Wagner (12.8) went 3-4-5 in the 100. Moritz added a third in the 400 (59.8) and fourth in the 200 (26.4).

Last year the Bears sent all three sprint relays to state.

“Our expectations are really high,” said Wagner, who also took a second in the 400 (59.2). “We’re like a big family and this year we’re hoping to make it to finals.”

Amy Polhemus also has high expectations for LZ, and the senior is off to a fine start. She used a final push to secure first in the 300 low hurdles (46.3), edging Cary-Grove’s Lizzy Klicker (46.4).

“I could feel her right behind me,” said Polhemus, who was a state qualifier in the 300 low hurdles last season. “I know the competition and I have really put in the training this year.”

Lake Zurich also took second in the 800 relay (1:47.6) and third in the 1,600 (4:19.8). Kaely Ferguson added a second in the triple jump (33-8.5).

Neuqua Valley’s Carson is wasting no time showing off her track speed after spending her freshman year playing soccer.

Carson took third in both the 55 and 200 dashes at the IPTT indoor meet, and the sophomore continued to sizzle Saturday, easily taking first in the 100 (12.2) and 200 (25.2). Both marks are under the state-qualifying times.

“I’m just trying to work my best,” said Carson, who added to her blazing start by helping the Wildcats to second place in the 400 relay (50.9). “My start has definitely given me confidence, and I just want to keep shooting for lower times.”

Bobbi Provost (2:28.1) added a second in the 800, with Jasmine Maclin (shot put) and Bria Thurman (discus) also supplying second-place finishes for the Wildcats.

Lake Park sophomore Kaylee Flanagan, who took ninth in the Class 3A state cross country meet and second in the 3,200 (10:46.51) at the IPTT indoor meet, combined with Brianne Murphy, Sam Montalbano and Meghan Duggan to help the Lancers take first in the 3,200 relay (9:40.9).

Then Flanagan (5:06.7) and Murphy (5:21.2) went 1-2 in the 1,600.

“I wanted to push it early, but I also wanted to maintain my pace,” Flanagan said of her comfortable 1,600 victory. “We had a successful cross country season, and we’re hoping to carry that over to track.”

Maya Golliday added a first for Lake Park in the pole vault (10-0).

Carmel’s Paul, who is no stranger to the Illinois track community, despite battling injuries the last two seasons, scorched the track in taking first in the 400 (58.1). She then brought the Corsairs from behind, combining with MaryBeth Berg, Sarah Myss and Brittany Prather to win the 1,600 relay (4:11.2)

“A lot of people have been doubting me,” Paul said. “This year I want to prove that I’m as good as they say.”

Myss added a first for Carmel in the 800 (2:23), with Shannon Baucus contributing a second-place finish in the 100 high hurdles (15.9).

Stevenson senior Rachel Redmond swept the shot put (38-09) and discus (123-0).