Warren’s Ellis in title pursuit(s)

Warren sophomore Brittny Ellis is back in the running for a state title.

Or, rather two state titles, as she advanced near the front of the pack in both the 200- and 400-meter dashes in Class 3A.

Ellis won her qualifying 400 qualifying heat in 55.18 on Friday in the girls track and field state meet preliminaries at Eastern Illinois University.

That gave her the third-fastest effort of the day, behind only Parker English of Evanston (54.80) and Cameron Pettigrew of Chicago Payton (55.14). In last year’s 400 final, Ellis won in 54.08, edging Pettigrew and English.

In Friday’s 200 prelims, Ellis and Peoria Richwoods senior Brenna Detra both finished in 24.90; the only faster time was from Lincoln-Way East senior Aaliyah Brown (24.28), the defending champ.

In the discus, Grant senior Melissa Dunham advanced with the third-best prelim throw, 133 feet, 9 inches. The top discus efforts came from Rolling Meadows senior Morgan Keller (149-7) and Edwardsville senior Emmonie Henderson (146-01). Dunham was second in the discus last year.

Warren sophomore Keely Knobbe threw 114-1 to grab the final qualifying spot in discus.

A pair of Libertyville seniors also got the jump on the competition at O’Brien Stadium.

The Wildcats’ Nicole Jaffke is among the finals qualifiers in pole vault, having cleared the top height of 11 feet along with nine others. Haley Becker did likewise in the high jump, clearing the top height of 5-4 with 10 others.

Lake Zurich’s 4 x 200 relay was a near miss for finals qualification as Lindsey Moritz, Gabriella Bendefeldt, Amanda Papke and Teagan Hough finished fifth in their heat in 1:45.96.

Warren’s 4 x 100 relay of Marquesa Daniels, Brynn Santos, Autumn Santos and Ellis finished in 48.68, fourth in their heat and just a few tenths away from qualification.

Class 2A

Vernon Hills senior Alli Tran won her heat of the 300 intermediate hurdles, qualifying for finals with the fourth-fastest clocking (45.18).

Grayslake Central senior Claire Haggerty qualified seventh in the 1,600 run (5:12.80), with senior Elsie Rehberg right behind and also advancing (5:13.03).

Lakes sophomore Brittani Griesbaum tied for the third-best long jump effort Friday, 17-10.5.

In pole vault, Grayslake Central senior Cara Engel (10-3), Vernon Hills senior Taryn Rawles (10-0) and Lakes freshman Maeve Tuley (10-0) each advanced.

Wauconda sophomore Christina Meinhardt threw 38-1 in the shot put to advance.