Girls track and field: Kaneland in prime position to win 2A state title

CHARLESTON - It was as close to flawless as the Kaneland girls track and field relay teams could have possibly performed.

Qualifying in all four distances between 400 and 3,200 meters to the Class 2A state meet, the Knights' quartets all won their heats to automatically qualify for the finals.

"We're definitely here to do big things," Kaneland junior standout Nicole Sreenan said.

For the second time in her three-year career Sreenan is on the doorstep to being a four-event all-stater after performing key roles on the Knights' 400 and 1,600 relays.

Sreenan also ran the second-fastest individual times Friday at Eastern Illinois' O'Brien Stadium in the 100 and 200 dashes.

"We're not settling for anything else than (a state championship)," Sreenan said.

The Knights have positioned themselves perfectly to earn their first state title since the 1988 edition won the second of back-to-back Class A championships.

Sreenan anchored the 400 to eclipse the other two heat winners in 48.21 seconds.

The Knights' star blistered the 100 and 400 in respective times of 12.09 and 56.06.

Allie Heinzer is the Knights' other sprint standout; the senior is a top contender in the 200 and a key cog on the three sprint relays.

The other three relays will be seeded third for the Saturday finals.

"Track is an individual sport," Heinzer said. "Relays are about being a team. We all put forth our best."

Shayna Hurston, Sarah Daley, Carly Elliott, Jamie Martens and Carley Bartholomew also propelled the Kaneland relays.

Daley, Noelle Espino, Brianna Bower and Becca Richtman opened the meet by winning the 3,200 relay in 9:43.16.

Sydney Davidson and Lexie Guerra constitute the final Kaneland state finalists in the pole vault.

Aurora Central Catholic senior Karina Liz returned to form as the Missouri-bound two-time defending state champion at 800 meters posted the best time (2:15.2) in winning her heat.

"(The time is) not really as important as winning the heat," Liz said. "It gives me a good starting point."

Madison Ronzone is the reigning state runner-up for Rosary at 1,600 meters.

The Notre Dame-bound senior anchored the Royals' 3,200 relay to the final day of the season before qualifying once again in the metric mile.

"We are definitely looking for a podium spot (for the relay)," Ronzone said. "We were second in state last year (to Montini)."

The unprecedented season for Geneva continues in Class 3A.

After sweeping the Kane County, Upstate Eight Conference and Hoffman Estates sectional meets, the Vikings are poised for their best state showing since 2010.

McKenzie Altmayer will end her extraordinary four-year distance career as a top-three seed in both the 1,600 and 3,200 runs for Geneva.

Altmayer (4:58.23) lost her near-two-lap-long lead to 2014 state champion Annie Zaher of Hinsdale Central in the first heat of the 1,600.

"It wasn't as important to win it as to put myself in position (for the finals)," the Syracuse-bound Altmayer said. "I am really glad Annie is back (Zaher missed the entire outdoor season last year)."

Ndidi Ukaobashi is assured of twin all-state dash finishes after qualifying in both the 100 and 200 sprints.

"She has been our diamond in the rough," Geneva coach Peter Raak said of Ukaobashi earning two sprint finals.

Georgia Reed is in a similar spot after posting the fifth-fastest 300 hurdles time.

Kristin Higgins is also one step closer to another all-state campaign for Geneva in the high jump after clearing 5 feet, 4 inches in the prelims.

Cary-Grove had nothing but field qualifiers this year, but Nikki Freeman is poised to add a shot put all-state effort to her discus performance from a year ago.

"I thought shot put (41-5, fourth place with three throws remaining) went very well," Freeman said. "I'm very happy with where I am sitting. (Saturday) is when I really need to get after the disc."

The Trojans' Tabor Gleason is also a finalist in the high jump.

"I'm glad I got to go in the second flight, so I knew how high I had to jump," the C-G sophomore said.

St. Charles North senior Hannah Schilb is only inches away from the leading mark set by future Iowa teammate Allison Wahrman in the triple jump (39-7.25-39-2.5).

Schilb is also in the running in the long jump as her distance of 18-. 5 puts her in the sixth spot.

"We're in good shape," St. Charles North coach John Osmanski said of his prized senior.

The North Stars' Audrey Ernst and Batavia senior Dakota Roman will join Altmayer in both the fast heat of the 3,200 run and the finals of the 1,600.

St. Charles East pole vaulter Emily Gier and its 3,200 relay team are still alive as well.

The Batavia 800 relay with twin stalwarts Hannah Schaman and Tori Ortiz are the last area finalist.