Carmel’s Paul, Warren’s Ellis off to hot starts

CHARLESTON — Carmel senior Megan Paul and Warren freshman Brittny Ellis were in a class by themselves on Friday at the girls track state meet preliminaries at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium.

On a warm day, Paul and Ellis set a sizzling pace.

Paul, who has won four state medals in Class 3A, including two individual medals in the 400, took a liking to Class 2A.

She has the top preliminary time in the 400 (55.96), and also qualified in the 100 (12.54) and 200 (25.24).

Ellis, competing at her first state meet, showed no nerves in taking the top preliminary time in Class 3A in the 400 (54.66). The Blue Devils freshman also qualified in the 200 (24.43) and anchored the 400 relay (47.95) into Saturday finals.

“I was little nervous, but it felt nice,” said Ellis, who hit a career best in the 400. “I was hoping to place in all my events, and it is going according to plan.”

Lakes also made quite an impression by taking the top qualifying time in the 3,200 relay (9:32.66) in Class 2A, while Grant junior Melissa Dunham hit the second-best mark in the discus (137-10) in Class 3A.

The state finals begin today with field events at 10 a.m., and finals on the track beginning at 11 a.m.

Carbondale leads the Class 2A pack after advancing 5 individuals and 2 relays, while Belleville West is the frontrunner in Class 3A with 6 individuals and 3 relays. Edwardsville and Evanston are in hot pursuit of Belleville West in the trophy race.

Ellis has lived up to her billing this year, and she didn’t disappoint on Friday. Ellis outlasted Chicago Payton junior Cameron Pettigrew (54.87) in the third heat of the 400.

Ellis started the day by combining with sophomore Marquesa Daniels, senior Aly Lowe and freshman Autumn Santos to qualify the Blue Devils in the 400 relay with the eighth-best time.

She then completed her day by taking second in her heat to Evanston senior Magaret Bamgbose (24.17), who had the top qualifying time.

“We’ve come a long way in our relay,” said Ellis who put on an electrifying finishing touch from her anchor position. “The girls put me in a great position to finish.”

Dunham didn’t start the day the way she wanted for Grant in the shot put, but the Bulldogs junior sure finished in style in the discus.

Dunham hit a 131-0 on her first attempt in the discus and then hit 137-10 on her final throw which puts her in good position for the finals.

“My first throw relaxed me,” said Dunham who recovered from a 21st-place finish in the shot put. “I’m excited to make it to my first finals and now I just have to focus on my technique.”

Senior Kim Heersche also advance for Grant in the high jump (5-3).

Lake Zurich senior Kaeley Ferguson didn’t really know what to expect entering the state meet in the triple jump, but Ferguson delivered by hitting 37-10.75 on her last attempt, and enters Saturdays finals with the sixth-best mark.

“I’ve moved my marks back, so I have more room to run down the runway,” said Ferguson who beat her previous best mark by over 1-foot. “I guess it paid off — I was able to get more speed. I was hoping to do good, but this surpassed my expectations.”

Libertyville junior Haley Becker advance for the Wildcats in the high jump (5-3).

Stevenson also advanced two individuals, as sophomore Jackie Setina made finals in the high jump (5-3) and senior Kerrie Spaven qualified with the ninth-best mark in the discus (117-02).

Paul powered Carmel by advancing in the 100, 200, and 400 and will be joined by senior Shannon Baucus in the high jump (5-2) in Class 2A.

Vernon Hills also had an impressive performance in Class 2A. The Cougars advanced in the 800 relay (1:43.66), 1,600 relay (5:15.83), and the 3,200 relay (9:42.17).

“The day went unbelievably well,” said Vernon Hills coach Jason Rush of the Cougars attack. “Last year we only got one relay through, so it’s a big improvement.”

Senior Taylor Krue, sophomore Taylor Pearson, junior Allie Peacock, and junior Alli Tran combined to lead Vernon Hills in the 800 relay and 1,600 relay.

Senior Abbie Letts, junior Tara Rooney, freshman Samantha Hershmann, and senior Danielle Fiarito combined to lead the Cougars in the 3,200 relay.

Tran also advanced in the long jump (17-06.75) and Fiarito advanced in the 1,600 (5:15.83).

“We had a lot of disappointments last year,” said Fiarito who ran with a torn tendon at last year’s state meet. “But we worked so hard this year, and we really wanted it today. It’s a big difference this year, it feels amazing.”

Lakes is also looking pretty impressive. Senior Hannah Wittman, senior Grace Dean, freshman Brittani Griesbaum, and freshman Danielle Griesbaum combined to lead Lakes to the top qualifying mark in the 3,200 relay (9:32.66).

Danielle Griesbaum also qualified for Lakes in the high jump (5-2), and Wauconda freshman Christina Meinhardt qualified in the shot put (38-01.25).