Mason, Prospect clear their East obstacles

Prospect junior Maya Mason was back in her comfort zone on Tuesday night at the Mid-Suburban League's East Division girls track meet.

The Prospect junior won the 100-meter high hurdles (15.3) and 100 dash (12.3) and also anchored the 400 relay (50.0) and 800 relay (1:51) to victories in helping power the Knights to the East title with 193.5 points at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.

Wheeling took second with 164 points followed by Hersey (153 points), Buffalo Grove (66 points), Elk Grove (50 points), and Rolling Meadows (45.5 points).

Mason earned a sixth-place state medal in the 100 high hurdles last season, but has been limited in the hurdles this season due to tightness in her back.

But the junior shook off the rust on Tuesday night, showing her state potential and helping the Knights nail down the title.

"I've been stretching, heating, and everything I can do," said Mason of her comeback. "But I'm definitely where I want to be now. Coming back off a month and getting a 15.3 is crazy."

Mason also combined with senior Catherine Sherwood, sophomore Autumn Stone and freshman Annie Walsh to win the 400 relay, and then combined with Carolyn Ryan, junior Cassidy Selep and Walsh to secure the 800 relay victory.

"She's probably the fastest she's ever been," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute of his star junior. "Now it's putting it together and finding a rhythm with the hurdles."

But Mason had plenty of help in securing the victory, as the Knights won 10 events, going 1-2 in three of them.

"It's about double scoring in every event and hitting the relays," said Wintermute. "We did that tonight."

Selep gave the Knights a big lift by taking first in the pole vault with an outdoor best 10-3, she also finished second in the 100 high hurdles (15.4) right behind Mason, and was part of the second place 1,600 relay (4:22.7).

Junior Brenda Kendziera kept thing rolling by taking first in the 300 low hurdles (48.3) and long jump (16-01). She added a second-place finish in the high jump (5-2), and was part of the 1,600 relay.

Adding to Prospect's success was sophomore Brooke Wilson, who took charge early in winning the 1,600 (5:16.90). Walsh added a first in the 200 (26.80), and Jes Skudlarek took first in the high jump (5-02). Angelina Villasin added a second-place finish in the 300 low hurdles (49.70).

"We had so much energy tonight," said Selep. "I think we're building confidence and we are all super excited."

Wheeling is also looking to build off a strong night. Senior duo Hailey Dammeier (2:20.3) and Aurora Mala (2:21.6) set the tone by going 1-2 in the 800. The two Wildcats also combined with Maria Bedoya and Yailene Leon in taking first in the 1,600 relay (4:17) and 3,200 relay (9:54.50).

Last year, Dammeier and Mala helped Wheeling qualify to the state meet in the 3,200 relay; this the pair is looking to make a mark in the 800.

"We're feeling pretty confident," said Dammeier. "We push each other in practice every day and it carries over to the meets."

"It was a pretty awesome night," added Mala. "We're closing the gap and we're coming together as a team."

Senior Lani Greenberg showed why she is one of the top throwers in the MSL, hitting a career-best in winning the shot put (39-11) in aiding the Wildcats.

Last year Greenberg's best mark in shot put was 36-0, but the senior has shifted gears this season.

"Last year was kind of rocky," said Greenberg, "but I'm picking it up this year and I'm primed for a big mark."

Leon also gave the Wildcats a lift by taking first in the 400 (1:02.4), with sophomore Timber Terrell adding a first place finish in the triple jump (35-05.5).

Senior Venus Jones gave Hersey its lone victory by hitting a career best in discus (116-01), but the Huskies chipped away aided by Kelly Hill's second-place effort in the pole vault (10-3).

Hailey Bowes added to the Huskies' attack taking second in the 3,200 (11:47) and third place in the 1,600 (5:34). Kristin Jackson added a third-place in the 100 high hurdles (16.9) and Laura Bjanki added a third-place finish in the 100 (13.0). Nora Pearson took second in the 400 (1:02.6)

"It was balanced night," said Hersey coach Jim Miks of the Huskies attack. "We had kids chipping away and adding points. We're building and gaining confidence."

Junior Kaitlyn Ko gave Buffalo Grove a lift by taking first in the 3,200 (11:32), and freshman Nya Carr flashed her potential by taking second in the 100 (12.4) and anchoring the Bison to second-place finishes in the 400 relay (50.5) and 800 relay (1:51.6). Junior Becca Rab added a second-place finish in the 200 (27.3).

Sophomore Emily Stegmeier gave Elk Grove a lift with a second-place finish in the 1,600 (5:21.5).

Mid-Suburban West meet: Palatine and Barrington battled it out for top team honors, with the Pirates edging the Fillies by 3 points, 194-191, on Tuesday at Conant.

Hoffman Estates took third place at 115, followed by Fremd at 87.

Palatine and Barrington each won two relays.

The Pirates had one individual winner on the track, Kelly O'Brien in the 400 (59.39).

Track winners for Barrington include Addi Coy in the 100 hurdles (16.21) and 200 run (25.58), Nina Hodges in the 100 dash (12.58) and Sarah Kate Capel in the 300 hurdles (47.22).

Fremd had a pair of individual track champions, Nora Finegan in the 800 (2:18.21) and Ayako Higuchi in the 1,600 (5:05.78).

Hoffman Estates' Meagen Biddle took top honors in the 3,200 (10:42.81) and teammate Melanie Bliudzius won discus (105 feet, 8 inches).

Other field champs were Palatine's Megan Thabateau in the triple jump (35-6), Barrington's Jada Jones in the long jump (16-9), Barrington's Nicole Barcroft in the pole vault (7-6) and Schaumburg's Mya Bowens in the shot put (37-6.5).