Girls track and field: Fox Valley area sectional preview

Girls track and field athletes from around the Fox Valley area will try to qualify for the state meet Thursday night in sectionals.

Here's a closer at what to expect.

Class 3A Metea Valley: East Aurora, West Aurora, Batavia, Dundee-Crown, Elgin, Larkin, Geneva, Kaneland, South Elgin, St. Charles East, St. Charles North.

West Aurora, led by Dajour Miles, cruises into the sectional after winning the Kane County and Upstate Eight Conference meets in convincing fashion.

Miles, the defending 400 state champion and Kentucky recruit, swept the 100, 200 and 400 at the county meet and won the 200 and 400 at the UEC meet. Miles will compete in the 200 and 400 and anchor the 800 and 1,6OO relays.

Miles should be joined by teammates Victoria Spagnola (100, 300 hurdles), pole vaulter Abigail Kuhn and thrower Kendra Battle at the state meet.

Batavia, the runner-up to West Aurora in the county meet, captured the inaugural DuKane Conference title.

Freshman Katerina Schlenker hasn't been hindered by the pressure of the county and conference meets. The talented first-year runner won the 1,600 at county and was crowned conference champ in the 1,600 and 3,200. Even with a talented field the freshman should qualify for state in both events.

Shot putter Amy Zabka, who was first at the county and conference meets, has already hit the qualifying barrier in the event.

Batavia's 3,200 and 1,600 relays have a good chance to meet the qualifying standards and advance to the state meet.

Geneva has 3 individuals with good chances to advance in the talent-laden sectional. Sophia McDonnell (1,600, 3,200), Kelly McCloughan (100, 300 hurdles) and Katie McNamara (400) seek to make the trip to Charleston next weekend.

"We know it is a tough sectional with Batavia and West Aurora," said Geneva coach Pete Raak. "We hope to get some people to qualify."

Kaneland, a power in 2A, makes the jump to 3A.

"It is hard for us because all these schools have indoor facilities," said coach Lori Shroka. "We really stress the team aspect. We hope to get some kids downstate."

Abby Peeler, who finished third in the shot put and discus at the county meet, is hoping to qualify for the state meet.

South Elgin's Naomi Ruff enters the sectional off a stellar effort at the Upstate Eight Conference winning both the 800 and 3,200.

St. Charles East's 800 relay team was first at the county meet and finished third at the conference meet.

St. Charles North's Natalie Buratczuk won both the county and conference title in the high jump. She has already met the qualifying height of 5-3.

Class 3A Lake Zurich: Jacobs, Hampshire, Huntley, Crystal Lake South, Cary-Grove.

Huntley, which cruised to its third straight Fox Valley Conference last Friday, is hoping to send several individuals and all four relays (400, 800, 1,600, 3,200) to the state meet.

Deryn Davis, who won the long jump, triple jump and 100 hurdles at the FVC meet, is a solid bet to advance in all 3 events.

"Deryn is a solid all around performer," said Huntley coach Shawn Nordeen. "We hope she can qualify in all 3 events."

Senior leader Mary Raclawski, the FVC 800 champion, was also on the winning 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams.

Cary-Grove's Allison Drage is hoping to rebound from a second place effort at the FVC meet in the 1,600 and qualify for the state meet.

Class 2A Rochelle sectional: Burlington Central, Illinois Math and Science Academy. Rosary, Aurora Central Catholic

You don't have to convince Burlington Central coach Vince Neil how strong the Rochelle sectional is.

"Rosary, Sterling, Aurora Central, St. Francis and Sycamore are all solid teams," said Neil. "We think we have some kids who can qualify."

The Rockets' best bets to make it to Charleston are Megan Gasparaitis (pole vault) and Feona Pedone (long jump).

Rosary, which easily won the Metro Suburban Blue title last week, is led by freshman distance standout Lianna Surtz, who was crowned conference champ in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Aurora Central Catholic's Maggie Dervis is a strong contender to qualify for state in the 200 and 400.

Class 1A Seneca sectional: Aurora Christian

Eagles sprinter Alyssa Busker asserted her self well at the county meet among bigger schools. She was second behind Miles in the 100 and 200 at the county meet.

Also in Class 1A, Elgin Academy, Harvest Christian, St. Edward and Westminster Christian will compete at the Oregon sectional.