Decisive victory suits Prospect
Prospect may have not had its best hand at the Mid-Suburban League crossover triangular, but the Knights were still dealing.
Prospect won nine events in showing plenty of potential and cruising to a Mid-Suburban League victory with 88 points. Host Wheeling (57 points) took second, followed by Hoffman Estates (38).
“In general we’re looking strong and I like the make-up of our team,” said Prospect coach Dave Wurster. “But we have to shore up a lot of things, and we still have plenty of work to do.”
One area that is looking very strong for Prospect is the distance crew, and with senior Laura Maibuecher returning from a foot injury the Knights will add to their depth.
Junior Brooke Wolfe set the tone for the Knights on Tuesday, taking first in the 1,600 meters (5:23.5). Wolfe ran a controlled race, and was not challenged in cruising to the victory.
Wolfe hit a 5:11 in the mile last Friday, and the junior is looking to build off that mark.
“It wasn’t the best conditions, but we wanted to get a good workout in,” said Wolfe of the chilly conditions. “We have a lot of potential, and I’m really excited about what we can do as a group.”
Lauren Poplawksi is another Knight to keep an eye on. The junior took first in the 800 (2:22.2) and then combined with freshman Hannah Getschman, sophomore Katrina Leeney and sophomore Rachel Henk in taking first in the 1,600 relay (4:33.4).
Leeney also took first in the 3,200 (12:03.4).
“We’re showing our depth in the distance,” said Poplawski, who helped the Knights’ cross country team to the MSL title in the fall. “I think it’s carrying over and we’re able to make that switch on the track.”
Junior Maggie Devereux (16.6) and freshman Taylor Will kept the Knights rolling by going 1-2 in the 100 high hurdles.
And Prospect flexed its muscles in the field events with sophomore Erin Reese going over the state qualifying mark and taking first in the discus (119-5) and adding a second place with another state qualifying mark in the shot put (38-0.25).
Junior Carissa Weis also gave Prospect a lift, taking first in the long jump (14-10.5) and triple jump (33-3.75), and Ally Zach added a first-place finish in the pole vault (8-3).
Junior Sydney Keith, a two-time state qualifier, boosted Wheeling by winning the 100 (12.7) and 200 (26.9). Keith then combined with senior Mayra Ocampo, senior Dee Hanna and junior Angela Reinhart leading the Wildcats to victories in the 400 relay (52.3) and 800 relay (1:51.4).
“We’re really comfortable with each other,” said Keith of the Wildcats’ sprint relays. “I think we’re starting to click.”
Senior Colleen Creech-Woolcott helped the Wildcats by surging to victory in the 300 low hurdles (51.1).
Freshman Hailey Dammeier (5-1) and junior Eva Poznanski (5-0) also served notice by going 1-2 in the high jump for the Wildcats. Dammeier and Poznanski finished 2-3 in the high jump at the MSL indoor meet, and Poznanski is the defending MSL outdoor champion.
Hoffman Estates is working through injuries. Sprint star Emily D’Amico is sporting a boot on her left foot, but the senior all-state sprinter is looking to return by the end of April.
But Hoffman Estates sophomore Banke Oginni is quickly making a name for herself in the throws. Oginni hit 42-2 last weekend at Metea Valley Invite and the sophomore showed it was no fluke by taking first on Tuesday with an impressive throw of 41-2.25.
“My biggest improvement has been my footwork,” said Oginni who was a state qualifier last season. “I’m going at it without thinking and just doing what I have to do.”
Hoffman also is looking to make some noise in the distance events, with Elsabet Haile, Brianna Andersen, Haley Worman, and Haley Goers combining to lead the Hawks to first in the 3,200 relay (10:10.3).
Goers worked her teammates in the 1,600, but still was able to post a solid third place finish in a controlled race.
Sophomore duo Andrea Miller-Bay (61.7) ad Shayan Dussard (64.4) also gave the Hawks a lift by finishing 1-2 in the 400.