Girls Track: Rich South again sets the pace
The 2011 Class 2A state meet ended with Rich South’s DeAsia Garrett anchoring the state champion 1,600-meter relay.
Garrett will lead her teammates back to Eastern Illinois for the finals next week after she won the 400-meter dash and anchored the first-place 1,600 relay Thursday night at the Hillcrest Sectional.
“I was a little nervous, but I guess that helped out,’’ Garrett said of winning the 400 title. “I was trying to start out fast and then relax and then the next 200 pick it up.’’
Garrett also ran the second leg of the third-place 400 relay before she ended the night in the 1,600 relay.
Garrett’s twin sister, CiErra, and Taylor Kriha also are back from the state champion relay.
“We have an idea of what we need to do when we go downstate,’’ DeAsia Garrett said. “It taught me don’t get caught up on who should win, but when we run our first race, we want our best time so in the finals we can have the best lane.’’
Rich South won the sectional team title with 92 points, ahead of Hillcrest (74.5), Lincoln-Way West (64) and Providence (58.5).
DeAsia Garrett ended the meet by anchoring the 1,600 relay (4:00.74), joined by CiErra Garrett, Kriha and Nina Edwards.
“I’m excited,’’ DeAsia said. “I’m ready for state now.’’
The top two finishers in each event and any individual or relay that equaled the event qualifying standard advances to the state meet.
Kait Eisenberg of Providence won the 100 dash (12.54), took third in the 200 and ran a leg on the Celtics’ 1,600 relay that also qualified.
“I think we all had an exceptionally awesome night,’’ Eisenberg said. “I couldn’t think of a better way to end my senior year.
“This completely exceeds my expectations. I wanted to qualify, but I never thought I’d win the 100. It’s pretty exciting.’’
Lincoln-Way West freshman Natalie Waters was a double winner, taking the 3,200 meters (11 minutes, 40.36 seconds) and the 1,600 (5:31.86).
Other winners on the track were Rich South’s Mercedes Young in the 200 (25.94), Tinley Park’s Angelica Lafemina in the 800 (2:21.06), Hillcrest’s Destini Artis in the 300 hurdles (47:56) and the Hawks’ 3,200 relay (9:52.36).
Lincoln-Way West’s Kaitlyn Neiheisel won the pole vault (11 feet) and high jump (5-4).
Field event winners included Bremen’s Jasmine Johnson in the long jump (16-11), Rich South’s Edwards in the triple jump (36 feet) and Peotone’s Kayce Nagel in the discus (126-10).
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