Girls track and field: Glenbard East has most to smile about
Glenbard East junior Claire Biegalski was all smiles on Thursday night.
Despite a drastic dip in temperature that caused many competitors to don blankets or heavy winter jackets when not competing, Biegalski wasn't bothered by the cold weather at the 37th annual Ram Invitational.
After sitting out all of her outdoor sophomore season due to an injury, Biegalski is simply happy to be healthy and competing this outdoor campaign.
"I'm just excited to be back running because track is so important to me," she said. "I'm just happy to be running. I don't care if it's cold or rainy. I just want to run."
Biegalski is certainly competing and at a high level. She placed first in the 100-meter hurdles in 16.19 seconds and added a first-place showing in the 300 hurdles in 50.41.
"I was happy how I did," Biegalski said. "Coming off my injury, I've been super determined and been working really hard and it paid off. So far, so good with outdoor. I'm hoping to keep on getting better."
As a team, the Rams managed to win the seven-team meet with 317 points. Schaumburg placed third with 216.5 points and Glenbard South took fourth (125).
Glenbard East sophomore Lauren Huber, a three-sport athlete, won the 800 in 2:23.67 to be among the many highlights for the host team.
"I just wanted to focus on a good time to build confidence for Saturday's distance night at Palatine because that's always a competitive meet," Huber said.
Glenbard South senior Ciara Jackson won the shot put and claimed second in the discus.
Schaumburg senior Kyra Lewis, a Western Michigan recruit, claimed a double victory, taking home first-place medals in the 200 and the long jump. Lewis said it was the first time she ran an open 200 since last year.
"It was pretty exciting to run the 200," Lewis said. "I just had to get through the cold and keep my form in the long jump. It's my goal to make state this year."
West Chicago junior Caroline Pacer competed in two events, but she managed to outshine the competition by taking first place in the 3,200.
"I haven't run the 2-mile all season, so I was just hoping to get a personal record and managed to get it by a lot," she said. "I just tried to push down the stretch because of the wind was very strong."