Gorden, Flanagan make strides at Lake Park

Conant senior Sarah Gorden and Lake Park sophomore Kaylee Flanagan both made quite an impression on sunny but windy day at the 24th annual Lake Park Carol Koszola Classic on Saturday in Roselle.

Gorden has won two state medals, including a fifth-place finish in the Class 3A 300-meter low hurdles in 2009. And the senior sure looks like she is ready for more.

Gorden cruised to victories in the 100 high hurdles (15.05) and 300 low hurdles (46.29) in powering Conant to a fourth-place finish with 62 points.

Flanagan finished 14th in Class 3A in the 3,200 last season and followed it up by taking ninth in Class 3A cross country in the fall.

The sophomore is having no letdown this season, she took second in the 3,200 (10:58.9) and first in the 1,600 (5:17.61) in helping the host Lancers secure third place with 83 points.

Freshman Mystique Thompson swept both the 100 (12.62) and 200 (26.23), powering Rock Island to first place with 93 points. The Rocks also took first in the 400 relay (49.96) and junior N’Talia Gray added a first in the long jump (16-6).

Courtney Clayton lifted Rockton Hononegah (85 points) to second place by taking first in the 800 (2:20.37) and then lit up the track by taking first in the 400 (57.97). The sophomore ended her day with a bang, easily pulling away on the final lap, giving the Lady Indians a first-place finish in the 1,600 relay (4:07.21).

“My adrenaline just kind of kicked in,” said Clayton, who ran the final 400 meters of the 1,600 in 58.3 seconds.

Freshman Patrice Jones also aided Hononegah’s attack by taking second in the 100 (12.73) and 200 (26.32), third in the 400 (58.55), and leading the Lady Indians to first in the 800 relay (1:47.85).

Lake Park was led by a trio of sophomores, and tops among them was Flanagan. She led for the first seven laps of the 3,200, but New Trier sophomore Jessica Ackerman took the lead on the final lap and didn’t look back, hitting the tape in a cool 10:49.9.

“The wind was very noticeable out there today,” said Ackerman, who finished seventh in 3,200 in Class 3A last season. “I just had a little bit extra left.”

Flanagan came back in the 1,600, shifting gears in the final lap to easily pull away from St. Ignatius junior Jennifer White (5:18.53).

“It was windy, but we were all dealing with the same conditions,” said Flanagan of her impressive double. “Certain areas you just had to work harder. It was a good day.”

“She’s a tough kid,” said Lake Park coach Brian Hesik of Flanagan. “She came back in the mile and did what we expected her to do.”

Sophomore Tyshai Freeman also had a solid day for the Lancers. She won the high jump (5-4), took second in the long jump (16-3.5) and fourth in the 200 (27.87).

“I’m learning to jump in the center and arch more,” said Freeman of her progress in the high jump.

Also making progress for the Lancers is Maya Golliday. The sophomore cleared a personal best 10-10 in easily winning the pole vault.

“I’m getting on bigger poles and I’m getting stronger,” said Golliday, who has come a long way since clearing 9-6 at sectionals last season. “I’m just trying to focus on myself and get better.”

Lake Park added a second-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:57.48), and sophomore Brianne Murphy took third in the 1,600 (5:26.44).

Gorden had her competitive juices flowing on Saturday with Fenwick junior Erin McCoy challenging her in both the 100 high hurdles and 300 low hurdles.

And McCoy answered the challenge by blasting off the blocks in both races to finish second in both the 100 highs (15.68) and 300 lows (46.83).

“It was really my first big competition of the year,” said Gorden, who despite a few hiccups with her steps in the 300 lows, easily won both races. “Definitely got my adrenaline going. It gives me confidence and now I’m ready for the next step.”

“She is absolutely focused,” said Conant coach Bob Borczak of his senior standout.

Jessica Pryzby is also looking focused. She hit a personal best 37-4.5 to win the shot put, then came back to take first in the discus (108-8).

“It’s more about being a senior, and the experience of throwing for four years,” said Pryzby of her growth. “The discus is getting better, and I’m improving in the shot put.”

Conant was without junior sprinter Angela Herrmann, who is recovering from an achilles injury, but the Cougars were still able to take second in the 400 relay (50.71) and third in the 800 relay (1:50.29).

Brittany Williams made quite a statement for St. Charles East. The junior hung tough, taking second in the 400 (58.39) for the Saints.

“I just wanted to hang with the lead pack and then work on my last 100 meters,” said Williams of her gutsy performance. “I just have to continue to work hard, and hopefully the results will come.”