Neuqua Valley nabs UEC crown

Stephanie Strasser is not the likeliest of candidates to anchor the 1,600-meter relay.

But the St. Charles North sophomore, one of the top 3,200 runners in the state, was center stage in the closing event of the Upstate Eight Conference girls track and field championship Thursday evening in Streamwood.

Four hundred-meter champion Ayo Adewole of Waubonsie Valley was in the midst of a stunning anchor leg, coming within a few feet of Strasser in the closing meters.

But the North Stars' standout had one final burst in her, holding off the Warriors' talented freshman to claim the only local running title on the night.

The North Stars clocked a 4-minute, 5.98 second time in the thrilling finale, which also saw St. Charles East slightly behind Waubonsie Valley for third.

"I knew I had to get all the way ahead," Strasser said. "It was a runner's instinct. I could tell (Adewole) was right behind me (for the final 200 meters). I saw a Waubonsie coach tell her to get going."

Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley dominated the meet, winning all but four of the 18 events.

Neuqua Valley unseated the Warriors 148-137.5 for top honors; St. Charles East was third with 76.

St. Charles North (67.5 points) was fifth, with Bartlett (33), Streamwood (14), Larkin (6) and Elgin (3) rounding out the local entrants.

South Elgin and East Aurora failed to score.

In the race of the night, Bartlett junior Sam Salinas and Flanagan were shoulder to shoulder on the gun lap of the 1,600 meters.

But Waubonsie Valley senior Toni Ogundare, who won the 800 earlier, reversed a 10-meter deficit to stun the two juniors.

Ogundare held off Salinas in the final meters to prevail in 5:18.3; Salinas was three-tenths slower.

"My goal was to stay in the front of the pack," Salinas said. "I never felt that good before (in the mile). I fought for it as best I could."

Salinas also anchored the Hawks' 3,200 relay to second, and team member Sam Bass thinks qualifying for state is within reach.

"I definitely think we can make it for next week," Bass said.

Streamwood received its top effort from Megan McGlone in the 300 hurdles; Larkin sprinter Britney Whitehead was third in the event, and Elgin junior Fatima Diabate anchored two Maroons relays to medals.