Girls track and field: St. Viator's Scales stars at state prelims

CHARLESTON - St. Viator junior Emmi Scales is peaking at the right time of the season.

In Friday's Class 2A state track and field meet, Scales set herself up for a memorable showing in Saturday's finals.

She advanced to the finals with the fastest preliminary time in the 100 (12.00), the 100 hurdles (14.11) and the 300 hurdles (44.48) to complete the trifecta.

"Last year it was just 100 and 200, and I was injured, so coming back here really strong and really confident," Scales said. "I'm really grateful how far I've come. I've been working hard these last few months."

Senior teammate Mary Grace Hegberg posted a time of 5:04 to reach the finals in the 1,600.

"I felt really good and strong," Hegberg said. "I'm hoping to run my best race in the finals. I gave it my all today."

In Class 3A, Barrington's Breanne Dunn advanced to the finals in the 300 hurdles (47.13) but narrowly missed the cut in the 100 hurdles (15.04). Teammate Sofiabe Amirante made the finals in the shot put (11.63 meters).

"I was just really excited to get after it in the 300 after just missing in the 100 hurdles," Dunn said. "I just went out there and gave it everything I had. The wind was crazy, but I kept my head down and kept pumping my arms. It was disappointing not to get the 100, but I did get a personal record. I'm happy to be down here, and excited to get out there Saturday."

Prospect senior Daria Tersina advanced in the 100 (11.89) and the 200 (25.82) with two solid performances on the blue track. She also reached the finals in the triple jump (11.59).

"I could've done better in the long jump, but I was happy with getting a personal record in the 100," Tersina said. "I wanted to break 12. My training finally paid off. I want to get all-state again after getting seventh last year in the 100. I tried to get out of the blocks hard."

Sophomore Lily Ginsberg came up big for the Knights, punching a ticket to the finals in the 800 (2:17.14) and helping two relays - 1,600 and 3,200 - qualify for the finals by running the anchor leg for both races.

"I felt good with the 800, and knew there were a lot of fast girls in the race, so I was excited to see what I could do," Ginsberg said. "I pushed it a lot in the last lap."

Hersey's Becca Caliendo had stellar showings in the shot put (13.18) and the discus (38.03) to be a contender in two events on Saturday. The Huskies' 3,200 relay also advanced to the finals with a clocking of 9:32.17.

Grayslake Central sophomore Bella Domier is set to run in the 800 finals on Saturday following a prelim time of 2:19.91. She placed second at state in the 800 last season.

"I just tried to stay with the front pack and use the blockers for the wind because it was really nasty out here," Domier said. "I felt pretty good how I ran today considering the conditions, but I'm excited for tomorrow."

In the 1,600, Lake Zurich junior Brooke Johnston and Warren's Mia Pasha get one more opportunity to race against each other. Both advanced to the finals, with Johnston posting a time of 5:07.39 and Pasha notching a time of 5:09.56.

"I think the race went good, and it was definitely a tactical race and I had to turn it on in the second half," Johnston said.

Pasha made a big move near the 300-meter mark of the race, breaking out wide to pass the pack and take the lead for part of the race.

"Going into the race I knew the field was pretty packed, so I assumed it would be a really quick race," Pasha said. "I was hoping this would be a faster race. Based on the first heat, I knew I wasn't going to qualify if I didn't push it. I made that move and started rolling after the first lap. This is definitely a breakout season for me."

Stevenson's Ella O'Neall had a big day in two events to move to the finals in the shot put (13.68) and the discus (39.59).

Glenbrook South's Abigail Milott and Fremd's Kiera White also advanced in the 3A triple jump. White also made the finals in the long jump and ran the anchor leg of Fremd's 800 meter relay that advanced to the finals.