Girls Track: Jump to Hinsdale South smooth for Bridget Bodee

Bridget Bodee has reunited with old friends since transferring to Hinsdale South from Montini.

The junior grew up in Darien and attended Our Lady of Peace school. That made her transition — after the school year began in September — much easier for Bodee. She was considering a switch last summer, but started out the school year at Montini, where she was involved in cross country and was preparing for a National Honor Society induction ceremony on Sept. 20.

Bodee transferred days after the ceremony, though her older brother, Rich, a senior, remained at Montini. Rich Bodee played for the Broncos basketball team in the winter, and will attend college at Carthage College (Wis.) in the fall.

“My brother was at Montini, but instead I wanted to go to a bigger school,” Bodee said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a few years. Hinsdale South is five minutes from my house.”

Her former classmates from OLP welcomed Bodee, and she has met new friends as a member of South’s track team. Bodee (5-foot-11), whose father, Rich, competed in high jump at Homewood-Flossmoor, started competing in high jump while in fifth grade at OLP. Bodee finished sixth (5-3) with Montini during the IHSA Class 2A state meet last season.

With South competing in Class 3A, Bodee knows the State-qualifying standard is 5-3 instead of Class 2A’s 5-2. She produced a personal-record leap of 5-6 in a dual meet at Downers Grove North on April 11.

Bodee tied for fifth with Oak Park-River Forest’s Erin Svehla (5-1) at the Wheaton Warrenville South Invitational on Friday. On a frigid night, the event winner was WW South’s Erin Zappia (5-2), while place-finishes for nine other jumpers at 5-1 were decided by tie-breakers.

The Hornets compete in the West Suburban Conference Gold meet at Leyden’s Northlake campus, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday, and Bodee will try to qualify for State at the Downers North Sectional on May 10.

“I’ve made 5-6,” Bodee said. “I’ve made 5-3. I think I should make it. It’s a matter of consistency.”

Hinsdale South’s top athlete, Brown-bound Uzo Okoro — who finished sixth in both long jump and triple jump at State last season, won the long jump (16-3) at WW South. She did not compete in triple jump while nursing a foot injury.

Okoro competed in her two new events this season, placing sixth in shot put (32-0) and 31st in discus (69-9). Sophomore Maya Thompson placed sixth in triple jump (32-11 1/2).

The Hornets (35.5 points) tied for 12th with OPRF in the 18-team meet.

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