Mahoney grabs two golds
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GIRLS TRACK PREVIEW
By SCOTT SCHMID sschmid@shawmedia.com
Wheaton North Falcons Coach: Brian Zeglin Top athletes: Sarah Bradley sr. Rebecca sr. Berenschot Jill Humecke so. Alison Farnsworth sr. Lindsay Johnson sr. Ayanna Steele so. Cara Maxwell so. MJ Oviatt
sr.
Nicole Karwowski sr. jr.
Lenna Klein Lana Mattice
jr. sr.
pole vault throws distance distance distance sprints sprints/ jumps sprints/ jumps hurdles/ sprints/ jumps sprints/ jumps pole vault pole vault
Outlook: Wheaton North has over 100 athletes in the program this year, giving the team the ability to score points in a variety of ways. The Falcons had two state qualifiers a year ago, with one of them returning in senior Sarah Bradley. She competed in the prelims of the pole vault, falling just short of advancing to the finals. “We are led by a dedicated group of seniors,” Wheaton North coach Brian Zeglin said, “Although our depth in the field events keyed our success indoors, both our distance runners and sprinters have stepped it up in the first weeks of the outdoor season. “I am expecting the competitiveness of our daily practice to lead to some exciting surprises as we progress toward the state meet.” Wheaton North competed at the St. Charles North invite on Saturday and placed third with 76 points.
Coach: Rob Harvey Top athletes: Erin Zappia sr. high jump Amy Smith sr. pole vault Maggie Dansdill sr. sprints Emma Dalan sr. hurdles/ middle distance Alexandra Enright jr. hurdles/ high jump Jessica jr. sprints Winternheimer Heidi Nassos jr. pole vault/ triple jump Allison McGrath fr. distance Emma Schroer so. middle distance Sara Atkins fr. distance Outlook: This is the beginning of a new era for the Tigers, who lost a star-studded senior class to graduation. Five individual state qualifers are gone from a year ago, including McKenna Kiple, who was the runner-up in the 800-meter run, and Hope Schmelzle, who finished eighth in the 1,600 and 13th in the 3,200. Despite a healthy dose of new faces, Wheaton Warrenville South does return plenty of talent, led by 2013 field event state qualifiers Amy Smith and Erin Zappia. Smith was 13th in the Class 3A pole vault and Zappia finished 11th in the high jump. WWS was fourth at the DVC indoor meet this spring with 69 points. On Saturday, Wheaton Warrenville South came in first place at the Prospect Relays. The Tigers won the 1,600-meter medley relay along with the pole vault and the 4x200, 4x300 hurdles and 4x1,600 relays.
Coach: Bob Maxson Top athletes: Emma McCarthy jr. Cindy Mendez so. Lindsey Sayner sr.
sprints sprints sprints distance
Outlook: The Wildcats are in their first year in the Upstate Eight Conference and placed 10th in the indoor meet. Cindy Mendez (400-meter dash), Emma McCarthy (800) and Michelle Franch (3,200) posted top-eight finishes. “I am looking forward to this year and next year and to see our results improve both time-wise and in conference standings as we transition to the Upstate Eight,” West Chicago coach Bob Maxson said. “The Upstate has a lot of great athletes, but I believe we can hold our own.” Mendez could open up some eyes after winning the DVC indoor 400 last year. Lindsey Sayner could also score points in the mile and 800.
St. Francis Spartans Coach: Scott Nelson Top athletes: Meghan McShea sr. Amanda Nunley sr.
distance sprints/ hurdles
Outlook: With over 30 athletes on the roster, the Spartans have the chance to do some special things this spring. Leading the cause of optimism is the return of a pair of state qualifiers in seniors Meghan McShea and Amanda Nunley. McShea came in 27th in the 3,200-meter run at state while Nunley just missed out on qualifying for the finals in the 100 high hurdles.
Wheaton Academy Warriors Coach: Chris Felinski Outlook: Felinski takes over a program that has a good amount of numbers but still is in the building stages. One athlete to keep an eye on is freshman distance runner Sierra Stapleton, who ran a 5:50 in the 1,600-meter run in her first outdoor meet of the season.
WTL/WCP
Photo provided
Strong performances by St. Francis student Shea Mahoney’s at the 2013 Junior Olympic National Championships gymnastics meet qualified her for this year’s USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics regional. Competing at that meet recently, Mahoney won titles on both floor exercise and in the allaround. With her all-around title, Mahoney earned a spot on the Region 5 National Team and will advance to the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics National Championships later this year.
Sarah Cassel
Wheaton Warrenville South Tigers
West Chicago Wildcats
CD • Thursday, April 17, 2014 • mysuburbanlife.com • Suburban Life
The outdoor track season is just getting underway as Saturday marked the first day of big outdoor invites for area teams. With the season just starting, it’s hard to believe that girls state meets are less than six weeks away (May 22 to 24). Here’s a look at what to expect over those next six weeks for area girls track and field teams.
Jill Humecke was second in the 1,600-meter run, Cara Maxwell had top-five finishes in both the 200 and 400 and Lindsay Johnson was fifth in the 800. In the field events, Bradley was second in the pole vault, Mary Jane Oviatt came in second in the long jump, Sarah Cassel placed third in the high jump and Maxwell added a fourth in the triple jump. Rebecca Berenschot also was third in both the shot put and discus.
SPORTS |
Area teams off and running in outdoor season