Girls track: Prospect defeats Glenbard West, West Aurora
The three traditional girls track and field powers exchanged blows in a variety of ways.
Glenbard West used its superlative middle- and longer-distance runners to punishing effect.
West Aurora was unstoppable in the sprints.
But Prospect emerged victorious at the Ritter Invite at Downers Grove North behind field-event dominance and balance on the track.
The Knights' Jes Skudlarek was one of four girls to clear 5 feet, 5 inches or better in defending her high jump title Friday night.
The senior earlier teamed with Maya Mason, who dazzled in the 100-meter hurdles with an easy victory, to propel the Knights' state-ranked 400-meter relay team to another win.
The Knights won the 15-team invitational with 114 points.
Glenbard West edged West Aurora by less than 3 points, 94-91.5, for runner-up.
Downers North was fourth, with Palatine in sixth and Wheeling in eighth.
Naperville Central was ninth, and York 11th.
Glenbard West set the free-for-all between the three programs with a meet-breaking performance in the 3,200 relay to open the running schedule.
Grace Rogers' blistering second-leg pace gave the Hilltoppers a lead never to be surrendered.
Lindsey Payne and Janie Nobholz polished off the field to win in 9 minutes, 18.79 seconds.
"I was running it for Janie, our anchor," the Illinois-bound Rogers said. "I wanted to get us in position, so everybody could get us a really good time."
One event later Glenbard West freshman Katie Hohe unleashed a devastating final 400 meters to deny conference rival Sarah Barcelona of Lyons Twp. the title at 3,200 meters.
Hohe was timed in 10:55.75.
The distance half its length was equally compelling.
Payne, the Hilltoppers' cross country star who skipped track as a freshman to play soccer, was engaged in a classic duel with York senior Lizzie Hagstrom.
But the Glenbard West sophomore used yet another explosive final lap to hold off the Dukes' standout in 4:59.50.
Hagstrom was slightly more than a second higher.
"I had a really bad (seed time)," Hagstrom said. "I am glad I had such a bad time. I knew I would do so much better tonight. Obviously, Lindsay Payne has an amazing kick."
"I just knew I wanted to get to the inside for the last lap," Payne said. "I just went all out. I could see her shadow. That really pushed me."
Downers North junior field ace Isabel Maletich led the hosts by sweeping the two horizontal jumps for the Trojans.
West Aurora was in the lead late in the meet until Prospect swept the pole vault for 18 invaluable points.
But Tamia Rayford and JeMya McClendon put on a clinic for the Blackhawks on the track.
Rayford was brilliant all night. The junior was the sprint queen with her victories at 100 and 200 meters.
"I didn't think I was going to be able to come in and take all of them," said Rayford, who won the two dashes in 12.49 and 25.91, respectively. "(The 200) was my redemption (for not winning the 400 as well)."
But McClendon had other visions for her junior classmate at the distance.
Operating from the seventh lane, McClendon, making a rare appearance at 400 meters, overtook Lane Tech speedster Imani Davis down the home stretch to win in 57.66.
Rayford had to settle for third in 58.97.
"(Coach Teresa Towles) finally gave up on me running the open quarter-(mile)," McClendon said. "Ever since I tore my ACL (during freshman basketball season), I have been afraid to do it. When I hit the top of the curve, I just kept pushing, hoping not to hit the wall."
But the juniors were the opening and final legs to the Blackhawks' stirring victory in the 1,600 relay.
Rayford had to rescue the victory with a dramatic come-from-behind burst over the last 200 meters.
"I saw (Lyons' anchor) veering to Lane 2," Rayford said. "I knew if I could stay behind her, I could slip inside."
SaMya Hunt placed in both throwing events for West Aurora.
Prospect created major separation with West Aurora and Glenbard West when Autumn Stone and Cassidy Selep went 1-2 in the pole vault.
It came moments after Skudlarek and the versatile Brenda Kendziera both cleared 5-5 in the high jump.
"I really want 5-9, 5-10 this year," Skudlarek said. "I have had a lot of good jumps this year."
Skudlarek, Mason, Annie Walsh and Samantha Berman cruised in the 400 relay.
"We're ranked No. 2 right now," Mason said after anchoring the quartet in 48.92. "We could definitely do something at state, something really good."
Kelly O'Brien continues to impress at whatever distance she chooses.
The Northwestern-bound Palatine senior, normally a miler, is surely among the leaders at 800 meters as well after a scintillating win in 2:13.44.
Wheeling thrower Michaela Vasey outlasted fellow Prospect senior Angela Roman with a winning shot-put effort of 40-1 to win by almost 7 inches.