Girls Track: Margaret Bamgbose wins three races at Niles West Sectional

Updated: May 10, 2012 9:30PM

Margaret Bamgbose will chase after multiple state championships next weekend in Charleston.

Thing is, the Evanston senior doesn’t know in which events.

Bamgbose won three individual races Thursday at the Niles West Sectional to lead the Wildkits to the team title. The Notre Dame recruit was first in the 200-meter dash (24.51), the 100-meter high hurdles (14.51) and the 300-meter low hurdles (42.18), but she isn’t sure which events she will compete in at the state meet.

“I don’t know yet,” she said with a shrug.

Neither does Evanston coach Fenton Gunter, who was amazed by Bamgbose’s showing in Skokie.

“She gladly accepts challenges,” said Gunter, who plans to strategize starting Friday.

Unlike many other Evanston track athletes, Bamgbose didn’t run before she came to high school. She started to show her potential as a sophomore. Bamgbose then helped Evanston to state titles in the 800 and 1,600 relays last season.

“I’ve been working really hard,” she said. “Hard work pays off. We’ve done a lot of training.”

Behind eight first-place finishes, Evanston totaled 99 points to easily outdistance Loyola (71) and New Trier (70).

Parker English also starred at Niles West. The sophomore won the long jump (17-11.5) and the 400 (56.65).

Jahnell Horton was Evanston’s other individual champion. The senior finished first in the 800 (2:14.03). The Wildkits also won three relays.

“It was a good team effort,” Gunter said. “They’ve been working hard all year, and this is a great reward.”

As expected, New Trier dominated the distance events. Courtney Ackerman won both the 1,600 (5:01.31) and the 3,200 (10:39.05). The Trevians also took first in the 3,200 relay (9:24.59).

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