Girls track and field: Glenbard West's Hart, Naperville North's Bieber add to accomplishments

Even as defending Class 3A girls track and field champions, Glenbard West junior Katelynne Hart and Naperville North senior Halle Bieber accomplished even more in their final sectional Thursday at Naperville North.

Hart took on the distance triple and swept the titles at 3,200, 800 and 1,600 meters.

Bieber qualified for the first time in the maximum four events when she subbed for an injured teammate and joined twin sister Annie on the second-place 800 relay.

"I didn't get to run it much this season. If it meant getting another event to qualify to state, I want to go out there for my team," Bieber said.

"It's really awesome to get to go (to state) all four years."

At arguably the state's toughest sectional, Glenbard West won its first team title since 2009 and advanced 11 entries to state with top-two finishes or by achieving state-qualifying standards at the sectional.

The defending state team champion, Naperville North advanced 13 entries. Glenbard West won the state title in 2017.

The past two seasons at state Hart won the 3,200 and 1,600 and competed on relays. Her winning times Thursday were 2:11.99, 4:51.40 and 10:18.41.

Hart could add a fourth event because the 3,200 and 1,600 relays qualified and she's an alternate for both. Hart entered sectionals with the state's top time in her three individual events.

"(The triple) definitely was challenging, but it was a really exciting opportunity," Hart said. "I think it's always been on my mind. It's a new challenge this year that I thought I was ready to take on and try and we'll see how it goes."

Glenbard West also advanced 400 champion Aaliyah Collier, Huda Hussaini in the 100 and 200, triple jumper Ashley Samuta, Audrey Allman in the 800 and Katie Hohe in the 1,600.

Naperville North also advanced its 3,200 relay and 1,600 relay, in which a strong anchor by Claire Hill pulled out second place.

Bieber, the two-time defending 300 low hurdles state champion and second in the 100 high hurdles in 2018, won her 300 race in 44.97 and was almost more pleased with second-place 100 hurdles time. She also won the 200 in 24.97.

The Huskies also qualified Alex Morris in the 3,200 and 1,600, Hill in the 800, Maggie Gamboa in the 3,200, Campbell Petersen in the 1,600, Mya Mangan in pole vault and Maeve Connolly in high jump,

Wheaton Warrenville South advanced seniors Claire Haas in the 300 hurdles, Hannah Tran in triple jump and Laurel Moneysmith in the 1,600 sophomore Sam Poglitsch in the 1,600 and the 3,200 and 400 relays.

A 2018 qualifier, Tran achieved the 36-2 state-qualifying mark on her final attempt.

"Leading up to it, I was really getting nervous," Tran said. "I just saw and heard a bunch of my teammates and coaches, even strangers around me cheering me on. That last jump I thought I have to give it my all."

Wheaton North senior Leeya Zander advanced in the 200 and with the 400 and 800 relays. Seniors Sarah Stair, a three-time qualifier, and Jaime Schultz will be going together in pole vault.

"I was really excited to go in the open 200 because I haven't gone to state in an open event," said Zander, who was fourth. "I didn't think I got it. I texted my parents but then my coaches came and told me I got the time."

Naperville Central senior Rose Fritz, third at state in pole vault in 2018, achieved another berth.

Downers Grove South's strong distance lineup advanced Brenna Cohoon and Melissa Weidner in the 3,200, Erin Reidy in the 800 and Kennedy Warden in the 1,600 and the 3,200 relay. Ari Johnson also earned her first state trips in long jump and triple jump.

Downers Grove North senior Kim Brent also went 4-for-4 in a big way, winning the 100 and 200 and anchoring the first-place 400 and 800 relays with Celeste Bonga, Kenna Cinotte and Mia Bowers. The Trojans also received sectional titles from junior pole vaulter Carolyn-Paige Breit and sophomores Cinotte and Erin Beatty respectively in triple jump and discus, where senior Phoebe Covey also advanced.

Glenbard East senior Emma Ludwig earned her first trip by winning high jump at 5-3. She just missed qualifying in 2018.

"I had it (last year) but I got really nervous. I think mentally I've become a lot stronger," Ludwig said. "This was my time to finally get there."

Willowbrook senior Victoria Palma, a two-time state qualifier in cross country, earned her first track state berth as the last of eight qualifiers in the 1,600 with a school-record 5:06.30.

"It means a lot," Palma said. "I'm almost crying. It's amazing. It's the race of a lifetime."

Hinsdale Central advanced Dior Nicholson in shot put and discus, Emma Watcke in the 1,600, McKenna Revord in the 3,200, Bella Pisani in the 800 and the 3,200 relay.