Girls Track: Multidimensional Margaret Bamgbose faces debate at state

Updated: May 15, 2012 7:00PM

Margaret Bamgbose won’t know which events she’s competing in until Evanston arrives in Charleston later this week.

The superstar hurdler and sprinter won three individual races last week at the Niles West Sectional, but Wildkits coach Fenton Gunter said he’s unsure where to enter the Notre Dame recruit this weekend at O’Brien Stadium.

Bamgbose finished first in the 100-meter high hurdles, 300-meter low hurdles and the 200-meter dash in Skokie. She’s also eligible to run in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays at the state meet.

“We’ve done this before with girls,” Gunter said. “It’s not like it’s the first time someone has done this for us. All of our girls are prepped all year for multiple scenarios.

“When you’re called, it’s your time to run.”

Bamgbose figures to run the 300 hurdles as she owns the top time in the state by more than a second after running a sizzling 42.18 at the sectional. She also ranks third in the 200 (24.51) and fourth in the 100 hurdles (14.51).

“I’ve been working really hard,” said Bamgbose, who helped the Wildkits to state championships last season in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. “Hard work pays off. We’ve done a lot of training.”

Evanston’s 4x400 relay is seeded second after posting a 3:55.85 at Niles West. The 4x100 relay is seventh following a 48.14.

“We’ve been running different groups of girls together all year,” Gunter said. “That’s why we do that. It gives us all of these options.”

Gunter marveled at Bamgbose’s performance at the sectional, where she surprised him with her time in the 200.

“She gladly accepts challenges,” he said.

The Wildkits won eight events at the sectional to total 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 1/2) and the 400 (56.65). She’s seeded fourth in the 400 and seventh in the long jump.

Jahnell Horton was Evanston’s other individual champion. The senior finished first in the 800 (2:14.03) and goes into the state meet with the fourth-best time from the sectionals.

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

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