Burlington Central soaks up successful Day 1

CHARLESTON — From start to finish, the girls track state meet preliminaries at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium offered plenty of fun and sun.

Burlington Central started things off in Class 2A by hitting a school record and qualifying for today’s finals in the 3,200 relay (9:36.94).

The Rockets kept things rolling by qualifying 5 additional individuals.

Bartlett senior Alyssa Schneider kept things cooking in Class 3A by qualifying in the 1,600 (5:02.24) and also helping the Hawks qualify their 3,200 relay (9:21.71).

And with the sun starting to fade Jacob junior Allie Virgilio and Streamwood senior Megan McGlone both hit qualifying marks to advance in the triple jump.

Burlington Central made quite an opening statement as senior Markelle Turk, senior Katie Puccio, sophomore Jane Crocetti, and sophomore Kayla Wolfe combined to advance the Rockets in the 3,200 relay.

“It’s a bigger stage, and we wanted to step it up,” said Turk of the Rockets’ performance. “Now we just have to give it our all tomorrow, and that’s all we can ask for.”

Wolfe came back to qualify in the 800 (2:19.47) with the ninth-best time.

“My whole thing was to make it to finals,” said Wolfe, who anchored the 3,200 relay with 2:17 split. “It felt more like a 2:22, but our goal today was to get to finals, and we’re meshing really well.”

Sophomore Katie Trupp did her part by qualifying in the pole vault (10-6) and high jump (5-1), junior Autumn Conn also advanced in the pole vault (10-6) and senior Caille Thommes moved on in the high jump (5-1) for the Rockets.

“The 3,200 relay got things started,” said Burlington Central coach Aaron Wichman. “The high jumpers were both in the finals last year, and I think they both felt a little pressure to get back — and now they are, and both of our pole vaulters looked good, too.”

Last year Hampshire won the 3,200 state title in Class 2A. The Whip-Purs lost two members from that squad but that didn’t derail them on Friday.

Sophomore Paige Membrano, senior Autumn Chomenko, junior Liz Sicheri, and junior Cassie Kruse combined to lead Hampshire to the fifth-best qualifying mark (9:34.86).

“We lost two runners from last year but we’re still looking good,” said Kruse who also qualified in the 800 (2:17.56) with the fifth-best mark. “The experience from last year helps; we know how to handle things. You can overcome your nerves to do your best.”

Kruse just missed qualifying in the 1,600 (5:18.95), finishing with the 13th-best mark.

Schneider had Bartlett buzzing, taking second in the second heat of the Class 3A 1,600 (5:02.24). The Hawks senior battled New Trier sophomore Jessica Ackerman (5:01.10) the entire race before the Trevian pulled away in the home stretch.

“What I learned is if you aren’t going to do it today, then you’re not going to make it to the next day,” said Schneider of her clutch performance. “It was tough, but I kept thinking about my form. It is my fourth year of making it to the finals and every year you learn a little bit more.”

Schneider combined with junior Taylor Crawford, senior Julie Cronin and senior Megan Zmich in advancing a fast rising Hawk squad in the 3,200 relay (9:21.71) with the sixth-best qualifying mark.

“It’s a perfect time to be peaking, especially at the end of the season,” said Cronin of the 3,200 relay performance. “It’s our last day tomorrow and I know we’re going to do better.”

Crystal Lake South senior Marianne Collard also seems to be clicking at the right time. The Gators senior advanced in the 1,600 (5:05.63) and combined with senior Heather Newberry, senior Emily Lenzini and sophomore Gaby Garay in pushing the Gators to the finals in the 3,200 relay (9:29.49).

“I’m definitely running smarter — I know not to give all on the first day,” said Collard, who finished fourth in the 1,600 in Class 3A last season. “My main goal is to get a medal in the 3,200 relay and then give whatever I have left in the mile.”

Cary-Grove senior Carly Loeffel has cleared 5-7 in the high jump this season, but she didn’t even have to max out on Friday. Loeffel easily cleared 5-3, the cutting mark. Now the senior is ready to close her final season with a bang.

“I started training a lot earlier this year and I have definitely become much stronger,” said Loeffel who has come back from injuries her first two years to make her mark in the high jump the past two years. “Now it’s stepping up and going for it.”

Huntley senior Haley Loprieno used a strong finishing kick to secure her spot in Saturday finals in the 1,600 (5:12.79).

The Red Raiders senior hung back early in the race before making a final surge to seal her spot in the finals.

“That’s been my strategy all year,” said Loprieno of her late charge. “I felt strong going into the final lap so I went for it.”

The stadium had already cleared when the final rotation of the triple jump commenced. But Jacob’s Virgilio and Streamwood’s McGlone came through in the clutch.

Virgilio hit the fourth best mark (37-7) to advance to the finals, while McGlone sweated it out before learning she’d qualified with the 12th-best mark and final spot, hitting 36-7.75.