Burlington Central making great strides so far

Burlington Central girls track coach David Semmen has no complaints with what he's seen from his group thus far considering the fits area teams have had with the weather.

"We've got a pretty good team," said Semmen. "The times we're running now not having done a lot of big invites, I like they way we're running. I definitely like where we're at. We're competitive."

The Rockets have excelled in the mid-distance and distance races. Maggie Gannon and Markelle Turk both have broken school records. Gannon is the new owner of the mile record (5:31.6), while Turk broke the 3,200 record (12:08.82).

Vanessa Perez has been a key for Central in the hurdles races, while Karolynn Bush has excelled in the shot. Semmen has also been pleased with his 3,200 relay team, which ran 10:03 recently.

"The 10:03 is a pretty good time at this time of the year considering the weather," said Semmen.

Central will not compete in tonight's Kane County meet due to prom.

Streamwood update: Streamwood will host the Kane County meet today at Millennium Field. Field events start at 4:45 p.m. Prelims will be held at 5 p.m. and the finals are slated for 6 p.m.

Streamwood coach Ryan Korn is anxious to see how his improving team performs, especially coming off a strong performance at the recent Rolling Meadows Invitational.

"That's the best meet we've had since I've been here," said Korn. "It was a strong meet for us. A lot of girls scored and medaled. We had 2 triple-jumpers over 32-feet (Megan McGlone and Amber Lightbourne).

McGlone ran 50.2 in the 300 hurdles recently.

"We want to get her below 50 in the 300s," said Korn.

The Sabres are also enjoying success in the field events this year.

Krissy Kunavich hit 106-feet in the discus, while Melissa Oehlerking achieved a personal record by 15 feet in the same event.

"This year we're getting better every week," said Korn. "We're looking forward to seeing where we are at."

Larkin update: Larkin junior Nadiyah Spencer won the long jump competition at the recent Lake Park Invitational with a personal-best leap (15-11 ¾).

"She's been on a streak winning the long jump," said Larkin coach Jeremy Bloomberg. "I think she's won her last two she's been in and finished second in another one. She's almost hitting 16 and 17-3 is state. If she had been doing this back to freshman year, she'd be right there. She's doing a good job."

Freshman Taylor Ryberg had a personal-best throw in the discus, while Britney Whitehead remains a consistent presence in the 300 hurdles.

Jacobs update: Pole vault standout Sarah Ross, who committed to Western Michigan earlier this week, set a new school record by clearing 11-9 earlier this week in a Fox Valley Conference weekday meet. She also ran state-qualifying time in the 200 (25.4). Ross previously established a new county record in the pole vault (11-0). Bethany Muscat (high jump) and the Jacobs 800 relay team also performed well at the county meet.

Cary-Grove update: One major success story for the Trojans this year has been sophomore Jessica Warnecke.

"She wasn't even close to being a varsity runner last year," said Cary-Grove coach Mark Anderson. "But she busted her butt for 9 months and now she took sixth at the county in the 100 and 300 hurdles. A year ago that wasn't even a possibility. I'm very happy with how she's stepped up with all of her hard work."

Emily Cummings has also progressed in the distance group.

"Emily was injured a lot her freshman year," said Anderson. "But she committed herself to the miles she needed to run and she hit the weights and now she's running fantastic times in the 2-mile."

Hampshire update: Hampshire sophomore Holly Plichta has gotten the hang of the 1,600 race real quick. On her ninth competitive mile last week, Plichta set a new personal record at 5:42. She also runs the 3,200 for the Whip-Purs.

Hampshire's 400 relay team of Mai Salvador, Brittney Jarvis, Jeanna Ballard and Tiffany Phu has also excelled. Ballard continues to impress in the 300 hurdles.

"The team seems to be jelling right now and will be ready for conference and sectionals," said Hampshire coach Patti Nihells.

Elgin update: Freshman Kendall Martin has been a major bright spot for the Maroons.

"She triple-jumped 32-5. For a freshman, that's a very big accomplishment," said Elgin coach Justin Goebel. "Once she figures out the high jump, she'll be even better. She's a very good athlete for track."

South Elgin update: The Storm recently turned in 3 Top 6 finishes at the Rolling Meadows meet. South Elgin also won an Upstate Eight Conference dual meet against East Aurora recently.

Storm coach Kari Turcan has been pleased with thrower Indra Williams who is up to 84-feet in the discus.

"I'm hoping she will break a school record by the end of the season," said Turcan, whose team has broken 4 outdoor school records already this spring.

Turcan said the team has developed a new creed.

"Our new motto for the remainder of the season is, 'What are you saving it for?'" said Turcan. "Many of the girls are starting to realize there is no benefit to holding back. This next workout or this next event may be the last or it may be the deciding factor for their season."