Girls Track and Field: New Trier cruises to conference title

New Trier showed how valuable its dominance in the distance events is going to be this season.

The Trevians swept the mid and long distance races at the Central Suburban League South Indoor Meet as they cruised to the title on Thursday night at Glenbrook South.

The Ackerman twins appeared to be in mid-season form for New Trier. Jessica Ackerman won the 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:06.4 while Courtney Ackerman set a meet and fieldhouse record in the 1,600, running a blistering time of 4:58.

“I just really wanted to break 5:06 because that’s what I did here last year,” Courtney said. “It was a pretty fast start which was nice. Mimi (Smith) was right behind me and really pushed me for the first couple of laps. The last lap I was pretty sure I could hit sub five.”

“I would have really liked to break 11 (minutes) but that will come outdoor,” Jessica said. “I haven’t gone sub-five in the mile yet. Courtney’s performance was really inspiring and it makes me really want to run the 1,600. We’ve been having some pretty promising workouts.”

New Trier, which also set a meet record with a win in the 3,200 relay (9:53.1), finished the meet with 113 points. Niles West was second with 105 while Maine South was third with 103. Glenbrook South (68) was fourth, Waukegan was fifth (59) and Evanston finished sixth (12). The Wildkits held out most of their runners to focus on a meet this weekend.

The Trevians’ 3,200 relay team consisted of Anna Berglund, Kathleen Keene, Sam Wade and Sheila McCain. New Trier also cleaned up in the 800 as Julie Jackson (2:24.1) and Sam Wade (2:24.9) finished first and second, respectively.

Twins also played a big factor in Niles West’s solid day. Sunshine Simon won the 55 high hurdles (8.8) and was third in the triple jump (34-feet) while sister Sunbright Simon won the 200 (27.9) and was fifth in the 50 (7.0). The two also teamed up on the Wolves 1,600 relay team that took second (2:21), just behind Maine South (2:20.1).

“The 55 was great,” Sunshine said. “I was trying to get in the 8’s. I really like the hurdles. (Sunbright) pushes me a lot and it helps me get better.”

“We push each other all the time,” Sunbright added. “And if we’re not running the same race we cheer each other on. It helps a lot.”

Also notching wins for Niles West was Kelly Sanks in the pole vault (8-6), Lily Chatman in the high jump (4-10) and Jasmine Townsend in the shot put (36-8).

Maine South had a 1-2 finish in the 400 with Emma Ropski taking first (1:03.5) and Anna Kinell finishing right behind her with a time of 1:03.6.

The Hawks were also strong in the distance events. Megan Lemersal was second in the 1,600 (5:11.7) and Emily Leonard was second in the 3,200 (11:09) and fourth in the 1,600 (5:22.1).

Waukegan scored a pair of wins in the field events. Ebony Smith took titles in both the triple jump (34-9) and the long jump (17-4.5).

Glenbrook South’s Danielle DeVito had a good meet running a tough double. She was third in the 3,200 (11:14.1) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:32.1).

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