Girls track / State meet scouting, Northwest

By Michael Eaken

Daily Herald Correspondent

Girls track / State meet scouting, Northwest

Where: O’Brien Stadium at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

When: Friday preliminary events: Class 2A field events 8:30 a.m., running events 9 a.m.; Class 3A field events 10:45 a.m., running events 12:50 p.m. Saturday Class 1A, 2A, and 3A finals 10 a.m.

Team outlook: Evanston and Belleville West are no strangers to state titles. Evanston has won 7 girls track state titles, and Belleville West won the 3A title in 2009. The Wildkits and Maroons will be looking to add to their history this weekend. Senior Margaret Bamgbose is the top seed in the 300 low hurdles and will pace Evanston’s attack. Belleville West enters with the top seed in the 1,600 relay. Edwardsville will also be in the trophy race, thanks to junior Emmonnie Henderson, the defending 3A state champion in the shot put and discus. Last year Aaliyah Brown won state title in both the 100 and 200 in helping Lincoln-Way East take second in 3A. The junior game-changers will definitely keep Lincoln-Way East in the trophy hunt. A deep Wheaton Warrenville South team could also make a run and its 3,200 relay ran a sizzling 9:06.25 at the Lake Park sectional.

Area schools

Prospect — State qualifiers: Catherine Sherwood (long jump), Erin Reese (shot put), Alicia Nicolau (shot put), Carissa Weis (triple jump), Maggie Devereux (100 high hurdles), Melissa Jones (300 low hurdles), Lauren Poplawski (800), Brooke Wolfe (1,600), Christina Santiago (1,600), 800 relay, 3,200 relay. Outlook: Poplawski turned it up a notch at the Lake Park sectional, taking third in the 800 (2:14.55) with a school record performance. Wolfe is looking solid in the 1,600 and the 3,200 relay looks like it is on schedule for another state medal.

Palatine — State qualifiers: Megan O’Brien (shot put/discus), Meg Jump (triple jump), Laura Schweikert (400), Tess Wasowicz (1,600), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. Outlook: Schweikert will be seeking her third state medal in the 400, and Wasowicz will be in the loaded 1,600 field. The 1,600 and 3,200 relays are both on target for state medals.

Fremd — State qualifiers: Stephanie Uhrich (pole vault/high jump), Kelly Breen (3,200), Kathryn Kendzior (100 high hurdles), Katie Filosa (1,600), 800 relay. Outlook: Uhrich took ninth in 3A high jump last season, she should be in the mix this season.

Barrington — State qualifiers: Ashleigh Kleinjan (3,200), Caroline Carley (800), Melissa Madden (300 low hurdles), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. Outlook: Carley is coming on strong and will be in the medal hunt in the 800. The Fillies also have a solid 3,200 relay squad that will be looking to medal on Saturday.

Hersey — State qualifiers: Kelly Hill (pole vault), Hannah Helminiak (discus), Carolyn Crost (shot put), Nora Gawlik (3,200): Outlook: Helminiak is peaking at the right time, the senior had a big discus throw (130-8) at sectionals and is now in the mix for a state medal.

Hoffman Estates — State qualifiers: Banke Oginni (shot put), Haley Goers (3,200/1,600), 3,200 relay. Outlook: Goers is gearing up for a big finish. The senior will be in the mix for the 1,600 title and is also hoping to lead Hoffman to a medal in the 3,200 relay. Oginni enters with the second best shot put throw (44-6).

Rolling Meadows — State qualifiers: Morgan Keller (shot put/discus), Amanda Sanchez (3,200), Mia Harper (400). Outlook: Keller has emerged as one of the top throwers in state and is geared up for a medal in both the shot and discus. Sanchez had a strong run in the 3,200 (10:49.92) at sectionals and has quietly put herself in the medal mix. Harper is also making a late season run.

Conant — State qualifiers: Jennifer Donnell (shot put/discus), Raison Bailey (shot put), Angela Herrmann (100/200). Outlook: Herrmann is looking to cap a strong career by making the sprint finals. Donnell will be a threat in both throws.

Schaumburg — State qualifers: Caroline Kurdej (3,200), Darneisha Spann (200, 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay. Outlook: Spann had a breakout season, especially in the hurdles. Kurdej is looking to add a state medal to her 3,200 MSL championship.

Maine West — State qualifiers: Alisha Barnaby (shot put), Kalia Coffey (shot put).

St. Viator — State qualifiers: Hanna Winter (1,600), Meghan Carroll (1,600), 3,200 relay. Outlook: Winter and Carroll will pace St. Viator at the Class 2A state meet.

— Michael Eaken