Warren's Olson heats up the track

The girls track season switched gears on Friday night.

With the sectionals looming three weeks away, everyone is looking for a bit of momentum.

The 28th annual Rolling Meadows Invitational offered a perfect launching pad.

Warren's Heather Olson took advantage of the warm, but windy night by taking first individually in the 6,400-meter relay, completing the mile in 5:15.6.

Meadows' Mandy Streu answered the challenge by hitting a season-best 39-6 in the shot put and following it up by taking first in the discus 109-5.

Highland Park won the high hurdle relay (1:12.9), the class 1,600 relay (4:27.9), the high jump relay (14-0) and the pole vault relay (25-6) to win the title with 99 points.

Warren took second with 93 points, followed by Meadows (76 points), Plainfield Central (65 points) and Streamwood (50 points).

Olson also combined with Sarahbeth Jones, Annie Bandes, and Gabby Nystrom to give Warren a victory in the distance medley (19:16.3).

But the junior, who took sixth at state last season in the 1,600, is eyeing a return trip to Eastern Illinois.

"Today was a little bit of a screwy day with the wind down the backstretch," said Olson, who led the 6,400 relay from start to finish. "It was a difficult week of practice but I'm still looking for a sub-5:00.

"I can't believe how everything is coming up so fast, but I still think my time will come."

Denitra Brown, Sarah Koehne, Marla Pettis and Clinesha Soloman led the Blue Devils to a victory in the 800 medley (2:01.9).

Krystal Jones hit 35-8 in the shot and combined with Jessica Brunner and Tiffany Bembry to lead Warren to victory in the shot put relays (102-4.5)

Streu is a two-time state qualifier in the shot, but on Friday the senior combined with Amber Grueber (90-7) and Kim Grovak (95-3) to lead Meadows to first in the discus (295-3).

Streu is still eyeing a state medal and took another step toward her goal on Friday.

"I know what is down there and the experience can only help me," said Streu, whose team took second in the shot put relay (98-7). "Knowing the girls that are going to be down there will push me and only make me better. Mentally I'm a bit tougher this year."

Junior Amanda Whowell (5:23.9) took second individually and combined with Erlana Josifi (5:42.6), Colleen Vrshek (5:42.9), and Christina Gastfield (5:46.1) giving the Mustangs first place in the 6,400 relay (21:55.5).

"I feel really good right now," said Whowell, who is seeking her first trip to state. "I want my mile time to be faster, but it's hard when you're racing four events. I still have some time and I'm healthy."

Megan McGlone (32-8.75) combined with Amber Lightbourne and Maxine Andren to take first in the triple jump (94-5.75) for Streamwood.

Stefanie Curtis, Waleeja Rasheid, Lauren Klebeck, and Amber Hornsberger combined to lead Streamwood to first in the freshman 400 relay (56.0).