Girls track and field: Nguyen keeps Wheeling winning

Wheeling senior Nicole Nguyen experienced a wide range of emotions throughout Thursday's Class 3A Glenbard North sectional girls track meet.

Nguyen let out a big smile after some events - the 300-meter hurdles - and maintained a stoic expression after the 100.

But there was one constant for Nguyen - winning.

She claimed first in the 100, the 300 hurdles and added a first-place medal in the long jump to help Wheeling finish in first place with 103 points in the 14-team sectional.

Prospect placed second with 89 points, while Lake Park (81), Hoffman Estates (76) and host Glenbard North (44) rounded out the top five team scores.

Nguyen, a four-year state qualifier, also ran a leg of Wheeling's second-place 400-meter relay.

"I showed more emotions after hurdles because it hurt a lot more," she said. "I was happy with my 300 hurdles, but I'm trying to make a comeback in the long jump. I worked hard and knew this is something I could do. I'm trying to have fun in my last year and am motivated to have good momentum for college."

Nguyen, an Illinois recruit, said she was pleased by her showing in the 100, beating out Hoffman Estates' Bisola Bello.

"I'm most surprised by my 100 because I haven't done it since last year," she said. "I tried to do it last year for conference and was disqualified. It's been a long time. Now I have to get back to training and do well next weekend."

Hoffman Estates senior Makiyha Blackwell, a three-time state qualifier in the shot put, kept her record spotless in the shot put this season, tossing a personal record of 42-6¾ to win the event. She also qualified for state in the discus with a sixth-place heave of 121-6.

"I was trying to give it my all and was ready to do a big throw," Blackwell said. "My form was good and I didn't stop in the middle. I'm extremely motivated and excited to do better at state."

York senior Sarah May had a long wait to run in her only event, but after drafting behind Prospect's Julie O'Grady for the first three laps, she had a late kick to win the 1,600 in a time of 5:07.66. By winning her event May is set to compete in her eighth state meet, which includes four cross country state trips.

"It was very windy, so I decided to wait for my (kick)," May said. "I waited to kick it in until about the 300 (mark)."

Conant junior Chikere Oduocha is aiming for a big showing at Charleston after snaring a first place in the discus and second-place medal in the shot put.

"I'm little surprised how I did, but I've been building for this moment for quite a long time," Oduocha said. "I didn't get a personal record, but I stayed calm and was confident in my footwork. My goal is to medal in both events."