Aurora Christian breaks state record

CHARLESTON — Mackenzie Bolllinger was considered one of the finest triple jumpers and hurdlers in the state in the small-school division.

But an injury two weeks ago at her conference meet altered the formula for the state series.

The Aurora Christian sophomore decided to concentrate on sprints instead.

The move paid off in brilliant fashion Saturday at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium during championship action of the girls Class 1A state track and field finals.

Bollinger ran a brilliant anchor leg on the 800-meter relay to set a new state standard in the event, and then came back later in the open 200 dash to add an individual crown.

Placing in the 100 dash and 400 run as well, Bollinger led the Eagles to seventh place overall with 31 points.

Byron won the small-school race with 54 points.

“Everything works out for a reason,” Bollinger said after winning the 200 title in 25.69 to turn back a pair of Byron runners. “The 200 is probably my strongest event, but I think the four by two did the best.”

Teaming with Lisa Rodriquez, Alyssa Andersen and Alyssa Henzel, the Eagles’ time--made possible by Bolllinger overturning Byron anchor Heidi Scheffler in the closing meters--of 1:43.35 broke the 17-year-old Rochester small-school state record by three one-hundredths of a second.

“I improved my times from last year,” Bollinger said. “I couldn’t focus on jumps or hurdles any more.”

Bollinger was sixth in the 100 dash won by four-event champion Jenna Hemann (Brees Central) and third at 400 meters.

At the other end of the class spectrum, it was only fitting that Emma Spagnola authored the finest individual showing among the second-day local finalists.

The West Aurora freshman led the Blackhawks to five major team titles this year and leapfrogged six competitors in the long jump.

Unleashing a career-best of 18 feet, 2.25 inches on her second finals jump, Spagola moved from ninth to third.

“I thought it was going to be bad from the start,” Spagnola said. “I guess it was good.”

Spagnola narrowly missed finals appearances in three other events.

“The (100) hurdles was disappointing,” Spagnola said “I know we can come back and do this next year (qualify in the two sprint relays).”

When Jasmine Ranson placed fourth in the triple jump for West Aurora, the Blackhawks’ 13 points translated into a 21st-place tie to lead the five area programs.

Geneva senior Taylor Wickware also ended her career on a high note; the 800 runner earned her third career state medal by improving her place by two spots.

Wickware was fourth in the 800 run, won by Glenbard East junior Lindsey Rakosnik.

The Miami of Ohio-bound four-year standout made a major move over the last 300 meters to forge a career-low 2:14.03.

“That’s what I was trying to avoid,” Wickware said of being boxed in as she was a year ago in finishing sixth. “I could tell people were kind of tight (at the gun lap). I was hoping that I could have the best (final) 200 of the year.”

Wickware was a member of the Vikings’ place-winning 1,600 relay two years ago.

None of the Vikings’ other finalists--Tess Ehrhardt (1,600 run), Liza Tauscher (3,200 run) or Erin Kluck (pole vault)--was able to place.

Britney Williams’ seventh-place seed time held up as the St. Charles East sophomore held her position at 400 meters to secure a first all-state performance.

After two unsuccessful tries, St. Charles North senior Meridith Beird earned all-state inclusion in the pole vault by tying for ninth.

Beird cleared 11 feet to earn the distinction.

In Class 2A, Kaneland senior Andie Strang felt as if the 3,200 relay was an extension of the Knights’ conference meets and invite schedule the last two years.

Pitted against the likes of eventual champion Yorkville, Hampshire and Burlington Central, the Knights’ quartet of Strang, sister Sydney, Kris Bowen and ninth-place open 400 place-winner Lauren Zick finished sixth.

“I’m real happy for (Yorkville),” Strang said. “I’ve got to know those girls very well (from the Western Sun and Northern Big XII).”

On a day of extraordinary performances, none shone brighter than Woodstock senior Kayla Beattie, who became the first female athlete in state history to break the 10-minute barrier at 3,200 meters.

Beattie later posted the fastest 1,600 run in state history for a second title.

Hemann was not far behind.

Hemann joined Morgan Park immortal Alex Anderson (2002-05) as the second girl to win double-digit career individual state titles by duplicating her triumphs at 100 meters and the long, high and triple jumps.

The Texas A & M recruit exceeded 20 feet in the long jump and became the only girl in the nation to clear 6 feet in the high jump with her sectional-winning performance.

Burlington Central continued to impress at Saturday finals, with senior Callie Thommes leading the way by taking second with a career best in the Class 2A high jump (5-5).

“My goal was to place higher than last year,” said Thommes, who finished 4th in Class 2A last season. “I just visualized how I wanted to jump and it worked out.”

Sophomore Katie Trupp took 6th in the pole vault (11-6) with a career best mark, and also took 7th in the high jump (5-3) to aid the Rockets’ charge.

“I’ve been working really hard at it,” said Trupp of her success on the pole vault. “The team really came together this year.”

Senior Markelle Turk, senior Katie Puccio, sophomore Jane Crocetti, and sophomore Kayla Wolf combined to lead Burlington Central to 7th place in the 3,200 relay (9:38.75).

“I’m so proud,” said Turk who led off the Rockets’ charge. “We all ran well and the girls really closed it out.”

“I just gave what I had left,” said Kruse of her 800 effort. “In the 3,200 relay my team put me in great position to finish and I fought till the end.”

Bartlett senior Alyssa Schneider capped a stellar career by securing her third state medal in the 1,600. The Hawk senior took 4th with a time of 5:03.25, it was her best finish at state.

“It feels great and the mile is always one of the best races down here,” said Schneider who took 6th as a junior and 5th as a sophomore. “It’s great way to end my senior year.”

Mike Eaken contributed to this story.