Girls track and field: West Aurora a sectional champ again

Dajour Miles is the state commodity for the West Aurora girls track and field team as defending Class 3A state champion in the 400-meter dash.

Tori Spagnola, however, has the proper bloodlines for the Blackhawks as the younger sister of Emma, the most prolific all-state performer in West Aurora history.

Thursday night at the Blackhawks' sectional, Miles and Spagnola were electrifying in winning two individual titles each while also running central legs on sprint-relay championships.

"We had to 'book' (track slang for run fast) it," Spagnola said when asked to explain how the Blackhawks shaved almost 10 seconds off their seed time to win the 1,600 relay in 3:59.78.

Emma Spagnola won two of her three state championships in the 100 and 300 hurdles four years ago in leading West Aurora to a runner-up finish.

Tori Spagnola has eclipsed the freshman records of her current all-Big Ten sister after claiming both titles in 14.84 and 45.18 seconds.

"I thought I could qualify (for state) but didn't think I could be a sectional champion," Tori Spagnola said.

But West Aurora is hoping the defense of its sectional championship - 104.5-85 - is not a hollow victory in pursuit of a second program trophy next week at the state finals at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Miles had a remarkable first three events.

The Blackhawks' junior turned back Batavia speed demon - and four-event state qualifier - Tori Ortiz on the anchor leg of the 400 relay in 47.64.

Moments after Spagnola dusted the field in the 100 hurdles, Miles denied Ortiz once again in the 100 dash, 11.92-12.16.

Miles then ran a career-best 54.18 in dominating the 400.

"I thought I saw a 53 (on the football scoreboard)," Miles said.

The lone South Elgin qualifier, freshman Alyssa Miulli, was runner-up in 58.36.

But Miles - who posted the second-fastest 200 time in the regular season - pulled up in the race as Ortiz sped by to claim her first individual sectional title.

Ortiz had earlier powered the Bulldogs' 800 relay to a championship over the second-place Blackhawks.

"I saw her out of the corner of my eye grab her (left) hamstring," Ortiz said. "It makes me sad."

"Hopefully I can recover fast next week and run smart," Miles said. "I think the weather (turning cooler) changed it. I love running with (Ortiz). She is very humble. She is going to do some great things at Illinois State."

"If 'Cinnamon' (Miles) and Tori are healthy, we'll be all set (for a trophy run)," said West Aurora sophomore Abbey Kuhn, who snared the Blackhawks' seventh title with a win in the triple jump.

St. Charles North had three champions in finishing tied for fifth with 50 points.

Former national triathlon champion Audrey Ernst denied St. Charles East freshman Alice Abbott a double win by claiming the 1,600 after the latter earlier won the 3,200 over Rachel Richtman, the first track Class 3A qualifier in Kaneland history.

"I just feel so blessed," Ernst said.

Kayla Mikottis is the program-record holder for St. Charles North with a 132-foot throw in the discus.

"I just hope I can replicate it (at state)," the North Stars' sophomore said.

The North Stars' Nikole Custer won the long jump.

Cierra Kuipers is a leading all-state contender in the pole vault after costing Kuhn a potential second sectional title in the pole vault with a 11-3 winning mark.

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