Prospect heats up in state prelims
CHARLESTON — Prospect’s distance squad had been simmering all season, and on Friday at the Class 3A state finals the Knights sizzled.
At Eastern Illinois O’Brien Stadium on Friday, the Knights qualified two individuals and one relay to the girls track and field state finals session.
Senior Laura Maibuecher, junior Brooke Wolfe, freshman Hannah Santiago and sophomore Christina Santiago started the day for the Knights by qualifying with the fourth-best mark in the 3,200 relay (9:15.64).
Junior Lauren Poplawski kept things rolling by advancing to the finals with the 11th-best mark in the 800 (2:15.69).
And Santiago capped the day with an inspiring finish in the 1,600 (5:00.52).
“We know what our potential is and we just want to show everybody,” said Poplawski. “Now we just have to keep the momentum going.”
The same could be said for the Hoffman Estates sophomore Banke Oginni and Rolling Meadows’ Morgan Keller. Oginni (43-04.5) and Keller (43-00.25) are sitting 2-3 in the shot put.
The finals begin today with field events at 10 a.m., with 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, having advanced 6 individuals and 3 relays. Edwardsville and Evanston are in hot pursuit of Belleville West in the team trophy race.
Prospect set the tone for the day by qualifying four individuals to Saturday’s finals. The Knights 3,200 relay finished second in its heat to York (9:13.67).
Rockton Hononegah junior Courtney Clayton set a blazing pace qualifying with the fastest time in the 800 (2:11.03), but Poplawski came from behind in the final lap to secure her own place in the finals.
The most surprising race for the Knights was Santiago’s performance in the 1,600. The sophomore used a late kick to secure a career-best time and another opportunity to race.
“That last lap I knew I could gain on the leaders and I went for it,” said Santiago of her late surge. “We’re just feeding off each other and it’s really exciting.”
Sophomore Erin Reese also advanced for the Knights in the shot put (39-04) with the ninth-best mark.
Hoffman Estates was given a lift by Oginni’s performance. The Hawk sophomore hit her qualifying mark on her first throw and holds the second position in the shot put.
Oginni qualified to the finals in the shot put last season and finished 12th. This season the Hawks sophomore is aiming a bit higher.
“I just felt really comfortable,” said Oginni. “Last year I was just figuring things out. This year I’m going after it.”
Hoffman senior Haley Goers also went after it. The Hawks senior made her move in the last two laps of the 1,600 (5:00.91) to qualify for the finals.
“It’s my senior year and I know I have something to prove,” said Goers who also is scheduled to run in the 3,200 finals on Saturday. “I was able to keep my pace and close it out.”
Keller is looking to close out her season with a bang for Rolling Meadows, and so far, so good. She advanced to the finals in the shot put and discus (115-02). The Mustang junior knows there is room to improve her discus mark, especially since she has been hitting above a 140-0 consistently.
“I’m not going to be conservative,” said Keller. “I will just go out and try to hit my mark.”
Senior Amanda Sanchez will be running for the Mustangs in the 3,200 finals.
Sophomore Cassidy McPherson, junior Taylor Tenca, freshman Kara Burton, and junior Tess Wasowicz powered Palatine to the fifth-best qualifying mark in the 3,200 relay (9:18.35).
Wasowicz’s anchor leg proved to be the difference in lifting the Pirates to the finals.
“It was a big effort by everyone,” said Wasowicz. “We’re looking to drop our times a bit more tomorrow.”
Junior Meg Jump advanced for the Pirates in the triple jump (36-11.75).
Hersey senior Hannah Helminiak has made an impressive late-season surge. Last week the Huskies senior hit a career best mark in the discus (130-8) and she continued her momentum on Friday.
Helminiak didn’t quite reach her best mark on Friday, but she did enough to qualify in the discus (119-06) with the seventh best qualifying mark.
“I’m up against a bunch of great throwers and it’s an honor to throw with them,” said Helminiak of her first final appearance. “I really want to medal, but I know I have to step it up.”
Senior Nora Gawlik will compete for Hersey in the 3,200 final.
Fremd senior Stephanie Uhrich advanced in the high jump (5-3) with Viking junior Kelly Breen competing in the 3,200 finals.
“I just have to jump the best I can and not worry about anyone else,” said Uhrich who finished ninth in the high jump last season.
Maine West senior Alisha Barnaby advanced with the fifth-best mark in the shot put (40-06.5).
Schaumburg freshman Caroline Kurdej and Barrington junior Ashleigh Kleinjan will be competing in the 3,200 finals.