West Aurora, Geneva lead Class 3A state hopefuls
The girls track and field season has come down to a final shot at glory.
All nine area programs produced qualifiers to the three-day, three-class state meet that begins today in Charleston at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium and concludes with the finals on Saturday.
West Aurora, eighth in state last year, has dominated the local large-school scene with convincing victories at Lockport, Kane County, the rugged DuPage Valley Conference and the Class 3A Naperville North sectional.
“They’re the best team in (DuPage and Kane County combined),” Wheaton Warrenville South coach Rob Harvey said.
Freshman wunderkind Emma Spagnola has been added to the Blackhawks’ fearsome sprint relays at 400 and 800 meters; the three-event conference champion will also compete in the long jump and 100 hurdles.
“I’m not worried about the times,” West Aurora coach Teresa Towles said of the two relays anchored by Anita Saffa and nurtured by returning all-state triple jumper Jasmine Ranson. “There’s no doubt (the sectional) times will go down during the (Friday semifinals). Handoffs are going to make or break us. They should both be able to advance to the next day.”
West Aurora and Geneva lead the area large-school programs with qualifiers in six individual events.
The Vikings’ senior-dominated sextet of seasoned state returnees is led by all-state half-miler Taylor Wickware; Tess Ehrhardt (1,600 run), Rachel Hammond (1,600) and Liza Tauscher (3,200), veterans of the Vikings’ consecutive state-championship cross country squads as underclassmen, will all conclude their memorable careers this weekend.
Erin Kluck has one final senior sports assignment in the pole vault for Geneva.
“It’s always impressive the way the girls improve their times (at state),” Geneva coach Peter Raak said of a defining theme at Charleston. “The girls take it as a challenge.”
St. Charles East quarter-miler Brittney Williams has grand expectations in the 400, and the sophomore has Rachel Rawson to anchor the fastest 1,600 relay in the area.
Annie Martines’ performance at Hoffman Estates’ sectional in the 300 hurdles was another bright spot for the Saints.
St. Charles North senior Meridith Beird has been a model of consistency; the North Stars’ pole vaulter looks to extend the number of local state champions over the last decade in the event to four.
Batavia junior Haleigh Theuerkauf is the Bulldogs’ best bet to advance; the shot putter made finals but failed to place last year.
In Class 2A, Rosary senior Anna Deufel looks for repeat finals appearances in the two short sprints.
The County sprint queen also anchors two sprint relays for Rosary, which advanced all four quartets for the first time in program history.
“It’s all about getting the stick (baton) around clean,” Rosary coach Vic Meade said of the Royals’ chances to qualify for finals.
The Kaneland trio of Brooke Patterson (pole vault), Lauren Zick (open 400) and Andie Strang (1,600 run) anchor the Knights’ hopes of continuing their success in producing all-state athletes.
Jenna Koerner (800 run) is the sole representative for Aurora Central Catholic.
Mackenzie Bollinger (100, 200, 400, 800 relay anchor) is the workhorse for Class 1A Plano sectional champion Aurora Christian.
“It was a surprise that we won the meet,” Aurora Christian coach Dr. Jeff Schuett said. “I think it’s an advantage to be in Class A. You compete for one day and have a whole day off to prepare for the finals.”