Stars downstate: Prospect runners, Oginni and Keller in the throws

CHARLESTON — Junior Lauren Poplawski and sophomore Christina Santiago set the tone for Prospect, while Hoffman Estates’ Banke Oginni and Rolling Meadows’ Morgan Keller delivered in the throws at the Class 3A state meet finals at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium on Saturday.

Poplawski used a late surge to take sixth in the 800 (2:13.17) and Santiago came up with a sixth-place finish in the 1,600 (4:58).

Poplawski and Santiago combined with senior Laura Maibuecher, and junior Brooke Wolfe in leading Prospect to school record time and third-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:06.18).

Oginni took second in the shot put (44-01.25) and Keller secured two medals — a third-place finish in the shot put (43-00.25) and a fourth-place finish in the discus (128-02).

Springfield Southeast won its third consecutive Class 2A title with 63 points, Walter Lutheran took second with 46 points, and junior Shamier Little led Chicago Lindblom to a third-place finish (38 points) all by herself. Little won and set Class 2A state records in the 100 (14.02), 400 (54.19), and 300 low hurdles (42.80). Little also finished second in the 200 (24.48).

Edwardsville won the Class 3A title with 51 points, edging Belleville West (48.5) and Evanston (47 points).

Prospect started the day by taking third place in the 3,200 relay. Wheaton Warrenville South set a state record in winning (8:58.03) as the Tigers edged Glenbard West (9:00.72) for the title.

It was the Knights’ seventh consecutive state medal in the 3,200.

Santiago led off the relay, while Poplawski used an impressive anchor leg to push the Knights to the finish.

“I just did it for my team,” said Poplawski. “We’ve been working so hard and it came together today.”

Santiago also used a strong finish, surging from behind to secure her 1,600 medal.

“Obviously I could not see this coming,” said Santiago of the Knights charge. “But we’ve been pushing it all season and I think there is plenty more to come.”

Oginni, a sophomore, started strong this season and finished even stronger in the shot put.

“My hard work paid off,” said Oginni who placed 12th last season in the shot put. “I shook off all the targets, and it’s a good feeling right now.”

Senior Haley Goer also delivered for the Hawks. She claimed a seventh-place medal in the 1,600 (4:58.68). The senior ran a patient first two laps before surging over the final two.

“The pace was fast, but it pulled me,” said Goers. “I spent every day working hard and I’m glad it ended this way.”

Keller started the day for Rolling Meadow by taking third place in the shot put, and the junior delivered in the discus with a fourth-place finish.

“I’ve been struggling in the shot put, so it was nice to finish with a medal,” said Keller. “I didn’t throw as well in the discus, but I still came away with two medals.”

Palatine had some new faces in its 3,200 relay this year, but the result were much the same for the Pirates.

Sophomore Cassidy McPherson, junior Tess Wasowicz, freshman Kara Burton, and junior Tenca Taylor combined to lead Palatine to a fourth-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:15.36).

“We weren’t sure how it was going to go down this year,” said Wasowicz of the Pirates’ foursome. “But every year we somehow make it happen, so this year it kind of happened and it was great.”

Maine West senior Alisha Barnaby hit a career-best in securing eighth place in the shot put (40-6.5) for the Warriors.

“It’s my last year, so I’m glad I came through,” said Barnaby of her first state medal. “It’s a great feeling.”