Spagnola just misses state title
CHARLESTON — Ninety meters of barriers stood between West Aurora sophomore Emma Spagnola in her attempt to duplicate Shanice Andrews’ feat from two years ago.
In the Class 3A girls state track and field finals Saturday afternoon at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium, Spagnola, who earlier repeated her all-state campaign in the long jump with a seventh-place finish, was determined to climb to the top of the podium in the 100-meter hurdles.
But Spagnola tasted defeat for the first time all season in the event as Thornton senior LaDonna Caston nipped the Blackhawks’ star at the wire to win by eight one-hundredths of a second.
Andrews, a sophomore at Wichita State, claimed the only state title in program history for West Aurora in the event in 2010.
“I think my start could have been better,” said Spagnola, who finished in 14.26 seconds. “If I would have had a better start, I might have got (Caston).”
Like Andrews two years ago, Spagnola was also in the final of the 300 hurdles.
But Spagnola had to be content with three all-state performances on the weekend after placing fifth in 43.94.
“I’m happy with (three medals),” Spagnola said. “Those girls (in the 300 hurdles) were really fast.”
Spagnola accounted for all but one of the Blackhawks’ 16 team points as the squad tied city partner Waubonsie Valley for 16th place overall.
Ironically, Waubonsie Valley burner Morolake Akinosun tied the state record of 11.61 seconds in the only other event a West Aurora product — Anita Saffa — placed.
The Blackhawks’ junior was ninth in the peerless 100-meter dash.
“I wasn’t going to leave without a medal,” Saffa said. “As long as I got a medal, that’s all that matters. They (the rest of the field) were so fast.”
St. Charles East placed in four events to score 12 points.
Sophomore Jordan Shead was seventh in the open 400 run and later teamed with Kelsey Gentry, Allison Chmelik and Brittney Williams to finish fifth in the 1,600 relay.
“We’ve had the goal to see the (famed) blue track (at EIU) all season,” six-time state qualifier Gentry said. “I’ve never run on Saturday, so it was a great experience.”
Shead had a remarkable regular- and postseason close in the 400, defying all expectations in the process to become an all-stater.
“After (winning the Upstate Eight) Conference (River Division title), I really wanted it,” Shead said. “I did the best I could give.”
Annie Martines’ career at St. Charles East came to a close, but not before turning in a seventh-place result in the 300 hurdles.
“Looking back, my first 100 (meters) could have been better,” Martines said. “It was a perfect ending to my season.”
Freshman Torree Scull improved her seed position by three spots to finish ninth in the 800 run for the Saints.
Batavia thrower Haleigh Theuerkauf surrendered three positions in the shot put but managed to place for the first time in her career with a ninth-place result.
The St. Charles North 3,200 relay team of Sydney Stuenkel, Megan Young, Natalia Gawlik and Jessica Scheets was primed to continue its assault on the school record in the event.
But the North Stars finished out of the money after placing two spots out of medal contention in spite of another record time of 9:21.98.
“We were in a good position (early),” Stuenkel said. “We just couldn’t finish it.”
Wheaton Warrenville South became the first team to break the magical 9-minute barrier (8:59.03) in state history to win the event.
Mackenzie Bollinger had a cruel end to her season.
The Aurora Christian junior, a Class 1A state champion last year at 200 meters, had to settle for second place in the Class 2A triple jump as Springfield Southeast junior Brion Portis claimed the title on her final attempt.
Disaster then struck in the opening 15 meters of the 100 dash; Bollinger suffered a horrific fall as her left hamstring buckled.
“I don’t even know what happened,” said Bollinger, who was forced to withdraw from the Eagles’ 800 relay and the open 200. “I stumbled and I wiped out. I did triple before, and (my hamstring) was fine.”
Aurora Christian tied (Lake Villa) Lakes for 22nd place in Class 2A with 14 points.
Edwardsville nipped Belleville West for the Class 3A team title; Springfield Southeast won its third consecutive 2A title behind its blistering sprinters.