Goers, Spann run the gamut at Bartlett sectional
Hoffman Estates senior Haley Goers is a real veteran when it comes to state track; the Hawks senior has already secured 3 state medals.
Schaumburg sophomore Darneisha Spann is probably still considered a novice, though as a freshman Spann went to the state meet as an alternate on relays.
Their differences didn’t matter on Friday at the Class 3A Bartlett sectional held at Streamwood’s Millennium Field, as both Goers and Spann were hitting on all cylinders. Both qualified for the state meet in three events.
St. Charles East won six events to nip Metea Valley 104-102.5 to win the sectional title, with Schaumburg (56 points) taking third followed by Geneva (50 points), Hoffman Estates (49 points), and Glenbard North (48 points).
Goers started the night by combining with junior Tyra Palmer, senior Katie Johnson, and sophomore Solome Haile in leading Hoffman to second place in the 3,200 relay (9:31.93). The Hawks senior ran a 2:19.2 opening leg to set the tone.
Goers then came back to take first in the 3,200 (10:58.65), surging to the lead in the final lap to overtake Schaumburg freshman Caroline Kurdej (10:59.81) and St. Charles North senior Mallory Abel (11:04.65).
Goers capped her night by taking first in the 1,600 (5:06.75) as she asserted herself in the final 800 meters.
“I have learned from many of the races this season when I haven’t been very confident,” said Goers of her command performance. “Today was a totally different mindset — I was confident in what I was doing.”
Spann started her night by clipping the first hurdle but recovering to secure first place in the 100 highs (14.86). She then stuttered on the second to last hurdle but was still able to snatch second place in the 300 lows ( 45.24), with St. Charles East senior Annie Martinez (45.21) nipping her at the finish line.
The Saxons soph completed her night by edging Metea Valley sophomore Emily Cowan 26.04-26.08 to win the 200.
“Coming from last year where I didn’t qualify at all, to qualifying in three events, it feels really good,” said Spann. “The hard work and dedication, it feels like everything is coming together now.”
It’s also all coming together for Hoffman Estates sophomore Banke Oginni. Last year she made the state finals in shot put, but was still trumped by Hawks standout Precious Ogunleye, who won a combined 4 state medals in the throws during her four years.
This year Oginni is in the spotlight and making the most of it. She won the shot put (44-06) and is on the short list of state medal contenders in the event.
“I’m making a name for myself out there this year,” said Oginni who has shot up the charts with her performance this spring. “I’m confident and I just need to go out and do what I have to do.”
Schaumburg had a special night with Kurdej, who was coming off a Mid-Suburban League 3,200 title and finished second in the 2-mile. The Saxons also qualified in the 3,200 relay (9:33.06) with a season-best mark.
The Saxons concluded their night on a high note as senior Whitney Grossman, senior Lauren Lindgren, junior Tori Cappozziello and junior Maika Kumamoto combined to take second and qualify in the 1,600 relay (4:03.41).
“That’s been our focus,” said Lindgren who was a member of the Saxons squad that took sixth place in Class 3A in the 1,600 relay last season. “It means the world to me to able to return to state. We just ran our hearts out tonight.”
Bartlett senior Katie Lauesen just missed qualifying for state in the discus, but she made the most of her second chance in the shot put.
Lausen took third in the shot (38-0), hitting her state qualifying mark on her final throw in the preliminary round.
“It was pretty important, I needed to qualify,” said Lausen who was a state qualifier last season for the Hawks. “I was a bit disappointed not qualifying for discus, but I was all-in for the shot put.”
Bartlett junior Megan Seidle used a quick start in qualifying and taking third in the 400 in a season-best time (57.69).
Seidle missed all of last season due to a stress fracture, but the junior made up for it on Friday.
“It’s a big deal for me,” said Seidle of her state berth. “It reaffirms that I can do it.”
Last year Jordan Tuin became the first girl to qualify for the state meet for South Elgin, The Storm senior didn’t miss a beat this season.
Tuin eased into second place with 300 meters remaining and didn’t let up in securing her second consecutive state qualification in the 800 (2:18.76) with a second-place finish behind St. Charles East freshman Torree Scull (2:16.59).
“I heard the times so I knew I was on schedule,” said Tuin, who delivered a personal best in the race. “Last year I think I peaked at sectionals. This year I want to keep up my training so I can compete at state.”