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Girls track and field: Downers Grove North wins 1st sectional since 1999

Downers Grove North senior Kenna Cinotte moved her takeoff point for triple jump from 32 to 36 feet during the Class 3A Lyons Township Sectional Thursday.

The result was another school record.

After already winning discus, senior Erin Beatty needed a big final throw to also qualify in shot put.

Beatty got it.

Senior Mia Bowers won all four of her events for the second straight big meet.

It's been that kind of season for the Trojans, who won their first sectional team title since 1999 with hopes of beating the school's highest state finish of fifth at the state meet June 12 in Charleston.

"That would be so cool if we did that. And we're getting so many qualifiers," said Bowers.

"We just cover every event. It's not like we just have a few good people that get us up there. Everyone's good on this team."

Bowers individually won the 100-meter high hurdles (15.61), the 300 low hurdles (47.06) and pole vault (3.57m) after improving her school record to 12-feet on her last meet at LT May 12. Bowers and Cinotte joined Abby Streff and Elle Kowalski on the first-place 400 relay (48.56).

Cinotte, an all-state sixth in triple jump as a sophomore, improved her school record to 12.51 meters (41 feet-1/2 inch) after earlier winning long jump (5.66m). Cinotte also won the 100 (12.53).

"(The school record) was super exciting. I honestly was not expecting it," Cinotte said. "It was very exciting to have that good jump and an even better jump as a scratch," Cinotte said.

"It's very exciting to how well everyone's doing this year. They're stepping it up this meet for sure. It's awesome to see."

Also winning for the Trojans were senior Melissa Jachim (2:18.20 in 800). The 3,200 relay with freshman Karly Harkness, seniors Emma van de Wetering and Allisonvan de Wetering and Jachim (9:19.44), Beatty (35.08m in discus) and sophomore Maggie Fleming's personal-best 10.79m in shot, to which Beatty was second (10.76m).

The 800 relay of Streff, Emily Whitmer, Kowalski and late-sub Elisabeth Mooney (1:46.51) also was declared a winner after first-place LT was disqualified when its anchor collapsed near the finish and did not cross the line with possession of the baton.

York sophomore Brooke Berger (4:59.88) and junior Katelyn Winton (5:03.93), a track newcomer, were the fourth and fifth qualifiers in probably the state's best sectional 1,600. They also qualified in the 3,200 relay with Allison Fitzgibbons and Maggie Owens (2nd, 9:29.13).

In the 3,200, York freshmen Katherine Klimek (10:55.77) and Brianna Bennis (10:56.84) finished 2-3 with personal bests and easily qualified on time with sub-11:00.

"Definitely us two running together has been a whole huge strength," Bennis said. "The entire race we're basically neck and neck. I saw her shadow behind me for most of the race so having the comfort that she was right there really pushed me along."

Senior Daylee Braden became Willowbrook first sectional champion in a track event since 2014 as she won the 400 (58.52) and 200 (25.95).

"It's crazy, It's so exciting. Senior year, I had to do it," Braden said after the 200. in the 400 PRs. not sure what the 200 did.

The 400 was sweeter because junior teammate Lily Weder, running in the next lane, also qualified with a second-place 59.91, also a personal best.

"It was really exciting having Daylee there and being able to practice with her every day as a role model," Weder said. "It was really eye-opening and to see we did it and we did it together."

Downers South junior Sophia McNerney qualified in the 800 (2nd, 2:18.67) and 3,200 (4th, 11:01.74). Senior Aamari Taylor was second in high jump (1.55m) to advance.

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