Miller, Neuqua Valley finish strong at DVC meet

Samara Miller was a bystander for much of the early going of the DuPage Valley Conference girls indoor track and field championship.

But the Purdue-bound Neuqua Valley senior more than made up for it as the meet reached its climax.

Miller led a Neuqua Valley sweep at 400 meters and came back to finish runner-up to two-event sprint champion D'Jenne Egharevba at 200 meters.

One event later Miller teamed with Tashee Hargrave, Lizzy McCadd and Mikenna Robinson to dominate the 1,600 relay as the Wildcats made their first foray into the league with a resounding 27-point victory over defending indoor champion Naperville Central.

The Wildcats scored 109 points Thursday night at North Central College in Naperville.

Naperville North, whose incomparable Judy Pendergast set a state record at 3,200 meters, was third.

Metea Valley, Lake Park, Glenbard North, Wheaton North, Waubonsie Valley and Wheaton Warrenville South rounded out the field.

"We were pretty confident (of sweeping the 400) because we ran on this track at the Mustang Relays two weeks ago," said Miller, who edged Hargrave by five-tenths-plus to win in 57.04 seconds. "We were humble and very motivated."

"That was amazing to see those two run together," Neuqua Valley coach Gretchen Parejko added. "This title was based off their depth. That's a team championship."

The Wildcats' Kenna Lonergan won the high jump at 5 feet, 3 inches; the senior was also runner-up in the 55 hurdles to Naperville North freshman Halle Bieber.

Hargrave and Robinson also were runners-up at 55 and 800 meters, respectively.

But it was Pendergast who was operating from another galaxy.

The Harvard-bound senior, six days after breaking the indoor state mark at 1,600 meters, ran the fastest indoor 3,200 race in state history as well.

One race after Naperville North returning state champions Jenny Gibson, Sarah Schmitt and Emory Griffins cruised to victory in the 3,200 relay, Pendergast opened a commanding lead and never relinquished her energy level.

Also the state record-holder in cross country, Pendergast covered the distance in 10:11.56 to break the mark of former Woodstock immortal Kayla Beattie by more than three seconds.

"I was definitely feeling pretty good," Pendergast said. "I wasn't sure how I was going to feel because I have never raced the 2-mile (indoors). I was a little nervous for the first mile, but it felt fast."

Egharevba swept the two shortest sprints for the second straight year for Naperville Central.

"I wanted to be on top the whole time (in the 55)," the Illinois State University-bound senior said.

Glenbard North senior Allison Wahrman continued her impressive conference history by winning both the long and triple jumps.

"The long jump," the Iowa-bound all-state triple jumper said when asked which title was more pleasing. "I have never jumped 18 (feet) before indoors."

Courtney Morgan obviously likes the collegiate venue in Naperville.

The former shot-put state champion won the event by almost 11 feet as the Metea Valley junior exceeded 48 feet.