Girls track: Prospect's pieces in place for repeat MSL crown

Prospect girl's track and field team added a couple of big pieces to its lineup at the Mid-Suburban League meet, and it provided big returns for the Knights.

Junior Annie Walsh had been sidelined since early April and senior Jillian Hennig was limited to one event the last two weeks.

But the Knights' duo made up for lost time on Friday by powering Prospect to its second consecutive MSL title with 145 points at Conant's Charles O. Feutz field in Hoffman Estates.

Wheeling took second with 110 points followed by Barrington (81), Palatine (73.5) and Hersey (53).

Hennig took first in the 100-meter high hurdles (16.16) and also the shot put (39 feet, 6 inches), while Walsh shook off the rust to take second in the 100 (12.57) and third in the 200 (25.97).

Hennig and Walsh also combined with sophomore Samantha Berman and freshman Natalie Kowalczuk to push the Knights to a first-place finish in the 400 relay (49.21).

"They're competitors," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute of his two veteran leaders. "They were excited to be back on the track and they did what they wanted to do."

Prospect definitely got off to a fast start in the field events.

Freshman Ellen Sherwood took first in the high jump (5-1) and third in the long jump (17-1) while senior Autumn Stone added a first-place finish in pole vault (9-9).

Senior Brooke Wilson added some big points while second in the 1,600 (5:02.22) and 3,200 (10:52.47).

Freshman Lia Skoufos added a second-place finish in the 400 (59.83) and a fourth-place finish in the 800 (2:20.72).

"I really surprised myself," said Hennig who anchored the 400 relay. "It feels great - last year I didn't really have a big part and it felt nice to contribute tonight."

"I was really nervous coming in, but I'm happy with how the day turned out," said Walsh. "I had full confidence in our team and we really came through tonight."

Wheeling hung around by securing four first-place finishes, including sophomore Nicole Nguyen with wins in the 300 low hurdles (48.24) and long jump (17-09.5).

Sophomore Alexis Knight also added first-place finish in the 400 (58.73) with senior Timber Terrell adding a first-place finish and setting a meet record in the triple jump (38-0.5)

Knight and Nguyen contributed to a pair of second-place finishes in the 400 relay (49.53) and 1,600 relay (4:05.67) helping the Wildcats to their highest finish in the MSL since 1992.

"We did what we were supposed to do," Nguyen said of the Wildcats' fine finish. "We came here to win but just fell a little short.

"We brought all we had," Knight said. "It's still amazing and I couldn't be prouder of my team."

Buffalo Grove junior Nya Carr had a big night in picking up victories in the 100 (12.18) and 200 (25.56).

"I definitely have been more consistent," said Carr, who held off Barrington's senior Kelsey McLaurin (25.69) to win the 200. "I really pushed it in the curve."

Schaumburg junior Maddie Marasco also had a big night, taking first in the 800 (2:17.83) by holding off a strong challenge from Elk Grove senior Emily Stegmeier (2:18.42).

Marasco also combined with junior Lauren Kubinski, junior Rachel Vaccaro and senior Valerie Shackelton to win the 3,200 relay (9:27.88).

"We've been working hard for this day," Marasco said. "I'm really happy to see these times and we'll keep working hard."

Barrington junior Jocelyn Long had a big time drop in winning in the 3,200 (10:42.51) and came back to take third in the 1,600 (5:09.07).

"I have been waiting for that drop," said Long whose previous best this season in the 3,200 was 11:02. "It came at the perfect time and gives me a lot of confidence."

Hersey senior Sarah Harden set a school record by taking first place in the 1,600 (5:00.49). Senior Barb Rydzewski added a first-place finish in the discus (119-9) for the Huskies.

"I felt good tonight and feel like I'm in a good place heading into sectionals," Harden said.

Hoffman Estates ended the night on a big note with senior Katie Bonney, freshman Jana Dean senior Monraia Wilson and sophomore Anna Miller combining to deliver a first-place finish in the 1,600 relay (4:02.31).

"It's really exciting to see how much we have to give, and I think we have more," said Bonney of the Hawks' relay.

Fremd also received a jolt from senior Hanna Murakami, junior Anayia Veremis, sophomore Sumin Cho and senior Cara Ogilvy who powered the Vikings to a first-place finish in the 800 relay (1:46.97.