Girls track: DuPage County competitors set up for success
CHARLESTON - Lauren Kroll had no misgivings about missing the Addison Trail prom this weekend.
"I would rather be down here," Kroll said.
Kroll has finally erased an agonizing drought for the Blazers.
"We have never had an all-state sprinter," Addison Trail coach Dave Pytko said. "We had never even had a running all-stater."
But Kroll eradicated that by qualifying Friday in the two short dashes at the Class 3A girls track and field meet for the Saturday finals at Eastern Illinois University.
"I am so excited," Kroll said after running the 100 and 200 meters in 12.51 and 25.41 seconds, respectively. "It feels like a dream. I can't believe it has happened."
The second Kroll finals clincher in the 200 dash put a fitting symbolic touch on a day of brilliance for area competitors.
Five athletes hold the first-day lead or top performance in six events.
Metea Valley thrower Courtney Morgan is a former state champion; the Mustangs' junior seeks not only a second title with a first-day best of 44 feet, 8 inches but also is the front-runner in the discus with her 138-8 effort.
"It will be nice to go last (in the finals), so I will know what I have to do," Morgan said.
Glenbard North senior Allison Wahrman holds a 39-7¼ to 39-2½ advantage over future Iowa teammate Hannah Schilb of St. Charles North in the triple jump.
The West Suburban Conference will be well-represented on the podium Saturday.
Downers Grove South had the best 800 time as defending champion Michaela Hackbarth - in a replay of last year - outdueled cross-town rival Emma Moravec of Downers North to win in 2:13,54.
"The goal is just to win the heat," the Missouri-bound Hackbarth said. "The time doesn't matter (in the prelims)."
Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker has the top time in the 100 hurdles for the Mustangs as well.
Annie Zaher of Hinsdale Central, the 2014 champion at 1,600 meters, turned in the top time in her return to state.
Glenbard West sophomore Lindsay Payne will be the top seed in the 3,200 run and a major contender at 1,600 meters as well.
The three Naperville schools will have representation in the finals.
D'Jenne Egharevba will join Kroll in the 100 and 200 dashes as well as anchor the Redhawks' 400 relay.
Tashee Hargrave was inspired by injured teammate Samara Miller for Neuqua Valley in the 400 dash.
"The 400 is her event," Hargrave said after her heat at the distance in 57.46. "I love her as my teammate. I want to do it for her."
In Class 2A Benet junior Emma Jones is a two-event all-state contender; Montini is led by former 3,200 relay state champions Gianna Salzbrunn (300 hurdles) and Emma Makowski (800 run).