Ready for the finals

Waubonsie Valley's Shakeia Pinnick has won her share of state medals, but one thing that has eluded the junior is a state title.

Pinnick is hoping to change that on Saturday at the IHSA Class AA girls track and field finals.

In Friday's preliminaries at O'Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois in Charleston, Pinnick secured the top times in the 100 high hurdles and 300 low hurdles.

"I'm focusing on the two hurdles," said Pinnick of her only two events after pulling out of the 800 and failing to qualify in the 200. "We're focusing faster times and hopefully get a state title."

McKinzie Schulz qualified in the 800, 1,600 and combined with Kaileen Healy, Alison Cesarz, and Kelsey Ontko in qualifying in the 1,600 relay for Benet.

Schulz who used an explosive finish to win her heat of the 800.

"The beginning we went kind of fast," Schulz who finished 6th in 800 last year. "I got kind of boxed in, but I was able to close."

Ontko also qualified for Benet in the long jump 200 and 400.

"I don't run the 400 too much, so it was kind of different," said Ontko, who won her heat. "But when I hit the 200 mark I knew it was time to go."

Naperville North qualified in the 3,200 relay and the 800 relay. Kamaria Huggins, Abby Witmer, Courtney Armetta, and Whitney Hill powered the Huskies in the 800 relay.

"We're not know as a sprinting school," said Hill, who anchored the Huskies 800 relay team. "So it's pretty special getting to finals."

West Chicago's Annette Eichenberger took second in her heat of the 800 to qualify for her first finals. The sophomore nipped Waubonsie Valley's senior Toni Ogundare at the finish line in taking second to Bloomington's Ashley Verplank.

"I just had to take off behind Verplank because I knew she was going to be good competition," Eichenberger said. "My legs came through for me in that last 300."

Defending champion Libby O'Brien qualified in the 400 and Jasmine Simpson qualified in the shot put for Glenbard South.

Krista Stillson and Kristin Morrison both qualified in the triple jump for Neuqua Valley.

Monika Jakutyte and Aura Jakutyte also qualified for Neuqua Valley in the high jump, as Neuqua also qualified in the 3,200 relay.

Downers Grove North's Stephanie Denn and Glenbard West Janet Plonka also qualified in the high jump.

Jessica Carter qualified for Naperville Central in the discus.