Cary-Grove’s Loeffel state high jump champ

CHARLESTON — The potential has always been there for Carly Loeffel, and the Cary-Grove senior put it together at the right time in securing a Class 3A state title in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 8 inches Saturday at Eastern Illinois O’Brien Stadium.

Loeffel was clearing 5-5 before she even reached high school, and as a freshman she cleared 5-6.

Loeffel took it up a notch clearing 5-8 as a sophomore and expectations were on the rise.

But injuries, including a stress fracture her sophomore season, derailed her title hopes.

Loeffel finished fifth in Class 3A last season, but the she wanted more and on Saturday she delivered, becoming the first Cary-Grove athlete to win a state title in girls track.

“It’s been on my mind since the end of last year,” said Loeffel who cleared 5-4 last year at state. “I knew I could definitely go a lot higher and I put in the work.”

Loeffel cleared 5-7 four times this season but waited to the end to tie her school record that she set early her sophomore year at the Buffalo Grove invite.

“Ever since we first met we knew she had the potential to be a state champion,” said Cary-Grove coach Mark Anderson of his senior star. “She has the work ethic and she has been coming on strong since the conference meet.”

The Notre Dame-bound senior title may have been delayed a bit, but the wait is over.

“I’d rather have it now than any other time,” said Loeffel.

East St. Louis won its 15th state title scoring 46 points in Class 3A, followed by Lincoln Way East (37 points) and Hoffman Estates (36 points) on a warm and partly sunny day in Charleston.

Springfield Southeast won the Class 2A title, with Byron winning the Class 1A title.

Woodstock senior Kayla Beattie awed the crowd by sweeping and setting state records in both the 3,200 (9:56.96) and 1,600 (4:43.65) in Class 2A.

Sophomore Aaliyah Brown stole the show in Class 3A for Lincoln Way East winning the 100 (11.46), 200 (24.00), and anchoring the 400 relay (47.00) to a state title and the 1,600 relay (3:51.48) to third place.

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.”

Cassie Kruse closed it out well for Hampshire. The Whip-Pur junior combined with sophomore Paige Membrano, Autumn Chomenko, and junior Liz Sicheri in securing third in the 3,200 relay (9:34.10).

Kruse then came back to take third in the 800 (2:15.64) to cap a special day.

“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.”

Crystal Lake South senior Marianne Collard went out with a bang taking second in Class 3A for the 1,600 (5:01.62). Collard challenged Palatine senior Sarah McIntosh the final lap before finishing second.

“I was just chasing her,” said Collard who finished 4th last year and 8th as a sophomore. “It was a good way to finish it off with a personal best mark and I kept moving up over the years.”

Junior Lexi Dahl tied for 9th in the pole vault (11-0) for Crystal Lake South.

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.”

Jacobs junior Allie Virgilo took it up a notch in taking third in the triple jump (37-10.5) to power the Golden Eagles.

“There is now way I’d thought I’d get a medal this year, I just wanted to qualify for state,” said Virgilo whose best mark last season was 34-0. “I really have been working on my form and to hit this mark is really amazing.”

Huntley senior Haley Loprieno eased to a 7th place finish in the 1,600 (5:06.10) in aiding the Red Raiders’ charge.

Streamwood senior Megan McGlone finished 10th in the triple jump (37-1).