Girls track: Prospect produces impressive debut against MSL East foes

The Prospect girls track and field team ended last season on a pretty high note.

The Knights won their third Mid-Suburban League title in five years and also took first at the Lake Park sectional.

Prospect is looking to continue that momentum this year, and despite losing five state qualifiers from last year squad the Knights have started off well by taking first at the MSL indoor meet.

On Tuesday they extended the positive note by cruising to an MSL East triangular victory with 83 points at Prospect.

Wheeling, a young team on the rise, took second with 60 points, followed by a much improved Rolling Meadows team (40 points).

Senior Jillian Hennig and sophomore Sam Berman paced the Knights' attack by winning three events each.

"I definitely think we are faster on the track this season," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute. "We picked up a few freshmen that have some wheels and we have a great group of sophomores led by Annie Walsh."

Last year the Knights took second at state in the Class 3A 400 relay, and they return Walsh and Berman from that medal-winning squad.

Walsh and Berman combined with Hennig and freshman Natalie Kowalczuk in pacing Prospect to victory in the 400 relay in a swift 49.9.

"We're really happy with that time, our goal was a sub-50," said Berman who also took first in the 100 high hurdles (17.1) and 300 low hurdles (51.1). "There is definitely pressure this year, but you still want to do better than last year."

Hennig is also an important piece for the Knights. The senior took first in the shot put (36-10) and second in the discus (97-04) and took first in the 100 dash (13.2).

"We lost some really good seniors," said Hennig, who is helping fill many of the gaps left by graduation. "But that is pushing us. We know what our goals are and we want to reach them."

Freshman Liz Skoufos (400), junior Mikayla Olsen (800) and Julia O'Grady (1,600) added the Knights' attack.

Wheeling is also feeling optimistic this season and the Wildcats flashed a bit of potential on Tuesday.

Junior Yailene Leon took first in the 3,200 (12:38), with sophomore Alexis Knight winning the 200 (26.3). Leon and Knight combined with sophomore Nicole Nguyen and senior Sydney Johnson in taking a fast second in the 400 relay (50.0).

"We really jelled last season," said Leon of the Wildcats' sprint relays that just missed qualifying its 1,600 relay to Saturday's state finals finishing with the 10th-fastest qualifying time. "We are coming in with more confidence and we are going to push ourselves."

"Last year entering the season we were more nervous," said Knight, who finished seventh in Class 3A in the 400 dash. "This year we are more excited and I just feel more prepared."

Johnson added a first place finish in the high jump (4-10), with Nguyen adding a first in the long jump (16-8) and senior Ayana Blair taking first in the discus (110-6).

The Wildcats added a victory in the 800 relay (1:53.5).

Rolling Meadows' Maeve Moran missed most of last season with an injury, but the Mustangs senior is healthy now and ready for a big season.

Moran helped lead the Mustangs to a pair of victories in the 3,200 relay (11:27) and 1,600 relay (4:29.8).

Senior Macie Robinson added a victory in the triple jump (32-0.5).

"It's nice to be back," said Moran. "Everybody has a more positive attitude this season and I feel like I'm way ahead of where I was last year."