Girls track and field: West Aurora runs away with Upstate Eight title
Dajour Miles wanted to get the edge off. Victoria Spagnola sought redemption.
They each found a way to deliver.
The two West Aurora track stars used the Upstate Eight Conference championship meet as a platform for their versatility and athleticism in leading the Blackhawks to a dominant team performance at Streamwood Thursday night.
West Aurora won seven individual events and three relays in amassing 171 points to easily surpass runner-up Glenbard East (109 points) and South Elgin (108 points) for the conference title.
Miles ran uncontested in capturing wins in the 200 and 400 meters. The two-time defending Class 3A state champion in the 400-meters, Miles was eager to establish a confident and relaxed rhythm.
"I am not trying to set any records or anything," she said. "Last week was the first time I ran a sub-one minute 400, so I feel pretty good. The weather has not been that great.
"I am just trying to get a good time to see where I am going. I just want to go out and have a good time for the sectional."
Miles was not seriously threatened. Injuries have deprived her of winning multiple races at the state level the last two years. With the most important events of the year looming, Miles did not push herself.
"The times are going to decrease over time, and I am not worried," she said.
Upset at her second-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles, Spagnolo captured the 300-meter low hurdles, the long jump and ran a leg on the first place 1,600-meter relay.
Glenbard East junior Claire Biegalski upset Spagnola by running a 15.91 against the 16.33 put out by Spagnola. The sophomore specialist showed off her flexibility with the hurdles, the long jump title and the strong 400 leg.
"I wanted to come back after the 100 hurdles," Spagnola said. "In the lows, I think I did well considering how I was coming off that first race. I didn't really feel well I didn't think it was that great and I just wanted to redeem myself."
Spagnola reversed the outcome in the low hurdles with a strong 46.98 to beat Biegalski, who finished runner up with a 49.51.
In addition to Biegalski, high jumpers Emma Ludwig and Josie Andrews each went 4-11, with Ludwig declared the winner on the basis of fewer misses.
Freshman distance runner Naomi Ruff turned in a sensational performance to lead the Storm. She nearly pulled off the improbable triple after winning the 3,200 (11:18.86) and the 800 meters (2:24.99).
She led Bartlett sisters Jenna Buchanan and Camille Buchanan on the final lap of the 1,600 only for Jenna, a freshman, to overtake her down the stretch in winning with a time of 5:21.09 to edge her sister, Camille, a sophomore, who finished in 5:21.28.
Jenna and Camille Buchanan were second and third, respectively, in the 3,200 meters.
Ruff was third in 5:27.84 in the 1,600.
A former swimmer, Ruff is a relative newcomer to running. She started when she was in seventh grade. She is a quick learner, using her stride and kick to separate from the pack.
"I like to get out there and keep it fast and give everything I have going into the final 400 meters," she said. "It was tough in the 1,600 because I had those other two races. I tried to push through the final stretch.
"I prefer the long distances, like the 3,200 because there is more strategy."