Scouting DuPage County and Fox Valley girls track and field
The girls track and field season has moved from indoors to outdoors. Here’s a look at what to expect this spring from DuPage County and Fox Valley schools in the Daily Herald coverage area.
DUPAGE COUNTY
Addison Trail The Blazers (14th at sectionals, fifth at WSC Gold indoor meet) will miss three-time state qualifier Brooke Greaves (100 hurdles) in their lineup. Addison Trail will turn to Dasia Birmingham (long jump/sprints/relays), Leyla Mahmutovich (long jump/ hurdles/relays), and Savannah Flowers (throws) for leadership. Senior Erin Parker took second in high jump, and freshman Kaitlyn Sosin took third in the 55-meter hurdles at the WSC Gold indoor meet. The Blazers' took third in the 4x800 in that meet.
Benet Academy The Redwings placed 11th at sectionals before winning the ESCC indoor meet. Senior Delilah Helenhouse placed third in Class 3A in the 3,200 while junior Keira Jenke made state in the 800. Other key competitors will be Gabi Brown (hurdles/400), Maddy McGarry (hurdles/jumps/sprints), Emma Briggs (throws), Faye Ferrell (distance), and Elizabeth Davidson (pole vault). Twelve athletes qualified for the Illinois Prep Top Times meet in late March at Illinois Wesleyan.
Downers Grove North The Trojans won the WSC Silver (outdoor and indoor), took second at sectionals, and 17th in the state. Returning all-staters are Ava Gilley (800/4x800), Lily Eddington (1,600/4x800), Audrey Casten (3,200), and Alayna Todnem (distance, cross country in 2023/2024). Returning state qualifiers are Hannah Renner (800/4x400), McKenzie Willard (3,200), Allison Leach (4x100/4x200), Blake Weltler (4x100/4x200), Charlotte Stanton (4x100/4x200), Maya Nicholson (high jump), Kathleen Crilly (300 hurdles), and Jennifer Buehler (h igh jump). Senior Victoria Ingram (jumps/sprints) and freshman Macy Ermitage (distance) add to the Trojans' fantastic depth.
Fenton The Bison took 16th at the sectional meet before opening the new campaign with a fifth-place finish at the UEC indoor meet. Junior Josslyn Wade rolled to first place in the 1,600 in 5:26.63 at the indoor meet, and she added a second in the 3,200. The 4x400 team of Aubry Lopez, Diana Zima, Lucy Rodriguez, and Samantha Martens placed fourth in the 4x400.
Glenbard East The Lady Rams took 13th at sectionals, first in the UEC, and second at the UEC indoor meet. Senor Mackenzie Fodrey (Illinois Prep Top Times qualifier) qualified for state in the triple jump. Fodrey took first in the triple jump, long jump, and pole vault at the indoor meet. New head coach and Glenbard East alum Netherland Joiner also got first-place finishes from Emily Fisher in the 55 dash and high jump. Junior Andie Novak (800), and senior Isabella Zucchero (55 hurdles) both placed second.
Glenbard North The Panthers lost three key seniors, including state qualifier Skyler Libel (Murray State) to graduation. They placed seventh in the DuKane Conference and 10th at sectionals. Junior Frankie McGinn (throws) just missed state in the shot put. Anaiah Williams (sprints/relays/jumps) competes in at least four events. Keairah Kingcade (sprints) is another key athlete along with Aliyah Cary (sprints), and Ella Spikings (sprints, injured in 2024). Key newcomers are Gigi McGinn (throws), and Janelle Moseley (jumps/sprints).
Glenbard West The Hilltoppers placed fifth at sectionals, and fourth in the WSC outdoor and indoor meets. Juniors Alexa Novak and Mackenzie Gilbert (all-state in 800 in 2023) placed fourth downstate last year in the 4x800. Senior Maia Kaslewicz was on the 4x800 team that placed ninth in 2023. Senior Kendal Cullen (pole vault) made the state finals last year, and she has already cleared 12 feet this year. Senior Ally Stortz is strong in the field events. Stortz competed in the 4x400 at state with Nora Janninck and Bea Atkinson. Other keys are Nora Cullerton (jumps/long sprints), Claire Nielsen (high jump), Parneet Randhawa (hurdles), Caroline Challgren (jumps/long sprints), and Maeve Farrell (throws).
Glenbard South The Raiders placed fourth at the Class 2A Ridgewood sectional before placing third at the UEC indoor meet. The 4x200 team of Vanessa Whitakker, Georgia Bryan, and Nel Adamczyk ran downstate in the 4x200. Adamczyk also made state in the high jump while junior Kate Zima made state in the pole vault. Whittakker, Bryan, Isabella Hernandez, and Genevieve Corbin took second in the 4x160 at the indoor meet.
Hinsdale Central The Red Devils soared to the Lyons sectional championship before placing fifth at the WSC Silver indoor meet. Many state qualifiers graduated as all four relay teams competed in Charleston. Junior Avery Bonino made state in the long jump and triple jump. Juniors Ella Gray (400), and Lily Hodneland (14th in 800 prelims) both went downstate. Sophomore Ella Satre won the 3,200 at the indoor meet while senior Maya Reed took second in the long jump.
Lake Park The Lancers took sixth in the DuKane Conference and sixth at sectionals. The squad has an all-stater back in senior Eva Bach (seventh in pole vault), and junior Gianna Goldsmith (ninth in high jump). Senior Julia Kelly competed downstate in the long jump, triple jump, and 100 hurdles. Coach Jay Ivory believes his team can challenge for the top three in conference and sectionals. He is hoping to get even more athletes on the podium in Charleston May 22-24.
Lisle The Lions brought home their first Illinois Central Eight Conference title in 20 years last spring. And they have three 4x100 state qualifiers returning in Riley Ryan (hurdles/sprints/triple jump), Isabella Furmanski (sprints/triple jump), and Cadence DuBois (hurdles/sprints/pole vault). Junior Anya Kutoski is expected to be a key in the 400-meter run. Dani Erickson and Sydney Buchelt will be mainstays in the distance events as the team shoots for back-to-back ICE crowns.
Metea Valley The Mustangs placed fourth at the Lake Park sectional before posting a sixth-place finish at the DVC indoor meet. State qualifiers Kayla Harris (400), Sydni Ellison-Muse (shot put), and Annastasia Murphy (high jump) were lost to graduation. But senior Arainna Hammons (hurdles/sprints) went to state last year in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Hammons and senior Jeniyah Hood were also a part of Metea Valley's 4x100 team that ran at the state meet.
Montini The Broncos won the Class 2A Ridgewood sectional and placed sixth at the GCAC indoor meet. Juniors Sydney Gertsen and Ashlynn Lindt qualified for the state meet in the 1,600 and 3,200. Gertsen placed fifth at state in the 3,200 while Lindt placed eighth. Seniors Camryn Amouzou and Julia Gergen were a part of the 4x100 team that placed eighth in the state, and they qualified for state in the 4x200. Sophomore Brooke D'Amico went to state in the triple jump.
Naperville Central The Redhawks placed sixth in Class 3A, they won the DGN sectional, and they took second at the DVC indoor meet. Elite distance runner Liv Phillips (second in 3,200, fifth in 1,600) was one of many key seniors to graduate. At the indoor meet, the team got first-place medals from senior Adeline O'Neill (55 dash), and senior Lola Satre-Morales (400 and 800). The 4x200 team of O'Neill, Valencia Ingram, Maya Stohner, and Emily Titlton took first. So did the 4x800 team of Satre-Morales, Allie Opalka, Brynn Miller, and Eloise Graft.
Naperville North The Huskies placed third in the DVC indoor meet this season after placing seventh at sectionals and tying for 23rd in the state. Senior Emma Berres made state in the 800. Juniors Rianna Tandon (1,600), and Shania Tandon (3,200) also went downstate. Berres and junior Eve Rowe were on the 4x400 team at state while Berres and sophomore Elliana White ran at state in the 4x800. State qualifier Lorie Thompson (high jump) graduated. Senior Megan Schoenjohn and sophomore Sophia Pandya were on the 4x400 team that took first place at the indoor meet. Senior Alyse Hoffman won the high jump at that meet.
Neuqua Valley The Wildcats placed fifth in the state, third at sectionals, and first at the DVC indoor meet. Elite sprinter Zawadi Brown (state champ in 200, fourth in 100) was one of many key seniors to graduate. At the indoor meet, seniors Gabi Karvelis (200/long jump/triple jump), Elizabeth Hall (10th in state in 3,200), and Skylar Stare (pole vault) all took first place. Karvelis placed fourth in the state triple jump in 2024.
St. Francis The Spartans tied for ninth place with Mt. Zion (22-22) at the Class 2A state meet before taking eighth at the GCAC indoor meet. Sophomore Erin Hinsdale took second in the state in the 800. Teammates Margaret Andrzejewski and Elena Mamminga went downstate in the 1,600. Sophomore Allie Sheldon reached state in the 300-meter hurdles. Sheldon, Andrzejewski, Mamminga, and Hinsdale won the state title in the 4x800 (9:12.80), and they qualified for state in the 4x400.
Waubonsie Valley The Warriors placed 16th at sectionals and opened this season with a fourth-place finish at the DVC indoor meet. Senior Lily Baibak placed 12th downstate in the 1,600-run, and she won the 1,600 by seven seconds at the indoor meet. Senior Kennedi Johnson took first in the shot put at the DVC meet, and she added a third in the long jump. Freshman Emma Hummel placed fourth in the long jump and the triple jump.
West Chicago The Wildcats took eighth place at the Lake Park sectional before taking seventh at the UEC indoor meet. State qualifiers Adeline Draper (fourth in 100 hurdles), and Kali Waller (100 and 200 dash/long jump) graduated. The 4x800 squad of Jessica Balmer, Anahi Munoz, Sophia Garcia, and Dayra Araujo took second place at the indoor meet. Junior Fernessa Reyes took second in the long jump at the UEC meet.
Wheaton Academy The Warriors won the Chicagoland Christian Conference crown before placing seventh at the Class 2A Carmel Catholic sectional. Senior Madi Jenkins is ready to shine after qualifying for state in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Junior Sophie Roberts went to state in the pole vault, and she hopes to return to Charleston. Other key competitors are Isabelle Vandervelde (300 hurdles), Violet Dorn (triple jump), Annie Stoner (800), and Isiuwa Aroko (shot put).
Wheaton Warrenville South The Tigers placed ninth at the Lake Park sectional and seventh at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. State qualifiers Jenna Bachara (800) and Haylie Hinckley (high jump) graduated. The 4x800 team of Nicole Poglitsch, Abby Barrett, Frida Martinez, and Mackenzie Armstrong took second in the 4x800 (9:53.29) in a photo finish with St. Charles North at the indoor meet.
Wheaton North The Falcons tied for sixth at sectionals and took fifth at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. Senior Maddie Romaine went downstate in the 800-meter run while sophomore Sophia Dalrymple advanced to state in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Senior Emerson Smith reached state in the pole vault. Romaine took first place in the 3,200 at the indoor meet. Junior Megan Wozniak (11 feet) took second place in the pole vault at the same meet.
Willowbrook The Warriors took 15th at the Lake Park sectional before earning runner-up honors at the WSC Gold indoor meet to start the 2025 season. Senior Olivia Gwaltney won the 200 and took second in the 55-meter dash at the indoor meet. Senior Amelie Ojeda took first place in the 1,600 and 3,200 in the Gold meet. Emily Hogan and Iryae' Watts went 1-2 in the shot put. Gwaltney and freshman Khloe Adeniji went 2-3 in the 300 hurdles.
York The Dukes won the Lake Park sectional with 124 points, they finished 14th at state, and took second to DGN in the WSC Silver indoor meet. York lost numerous state qualifiers to graduation. But it has state qualifiers back in juniors Morgan Navarre (400), and Sophia Galino-Sanchez (11th in 800). Senior Sofia Stoddard placed 13th in the 3,200. All four relay teams advanced to state as they took fifth in the 4x100 and 4x800. Sophomore Jillian Booth won the 55 and 200-meter dashes at the indoor meet.
FOX VALLEY AREA
Aurora Central Catholic The Chargers placed fourth at the Rochelle sectional and fourth at the GCAC indoor meet to start this season. Junior Cecilia Hilby took fifth in Class 2A in the 800-meter run. Sophomore Molly Russelburg and senior Caroline Kuttner advanced to state in the pole vault. Sophomore Annalyse McCarty qualified for state in the long jump. Hilby, Mayte Acosta, Ailidize Perez, and Gina Dutkanych placed second in the 4x400 in the indoor meet.
Bartlett The Hawks placed 11th at the Hoffman Estates sectional before taking fourth at the UEC indoor meet to open the season. Senior Elsie Nwabuego made the state meet in the discus. At the UEC indoor meet, junior Alyssa Gregory placed first in the 3,200 and second in the 1,600. Senior Esther Sangobowale was runner-up in the shot put at the indoor meet while Nwabuego took third in the long jump.
Batavia The Bulldogs won their sixth straight conference title, took third at sectionals, and won the indoor conference meet. Junior Elizabeth Wende was on all three sprint relay teams that won medals downstate and set two school records. Senior Kate Solano (4x400), Wende (100), Avery Hacker (3,200/4x800), Madeline Cassidy (4x800), Gwenie Krodel (4x800), Claire Deppe (4x800), and Abby Wirth (triple jump) all reached state. Other keys will be Haylee Winslow (sprints), Alyssa Andersen (jumps/hurdles), Madison Wnek (distance), Macee Olson (pole vault/jumps), and Sara Alf (throws). Key newcomers are Brooke Berggren (sprints), Kady Modaff (jumps), Ingrid Wit (throws), Avery Haney (throws), and Sarah Wolfe (distance).
Burlington Central The Rockets placed 13th at sectionals and took third at the FVC indoor meet. The 4x800 team of Callie Pflug, Sophia Monaco, Sophia Arnold, and Abby Burke placed second at the indoor meet. Sophomore Julia Scheuer was the runner-up in the 200-meter run. The team of Arnold, Taryn Borst, Marlee Christiansen, and Mia Estrada placed third in the 4x400. Other keys will be Cailen O’Brien (sprints/high jump), Emile Anderson (throws), and Danica Wiegel (sprints/jumps/vault).
Cary-Grove The Trojans placed seventh at sectionals and sixth at the FVC indoor meet. State qualifier Kate Aniolkowski (300 hurdles) was lost to graduation. But junior Olivia Parker is back after going downstate in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Parker took first in the 60-meter hurdles at the indoor meet. Junior Caelie Mendro placed second in the pole vault. Parker, Kennedy Manning, Maggie Jablonski, and Fiyinfunoluwa Onafeko placed third in the 4x200.
Crystal Lake South The Gators (eighth at sectionals) lost Abby Machesky (Arkansas-Little Rock) from their 4x800 state team to graduation. The trio of senior Olivia Pinta, senior Victoria Pinta, and junior Laynie Ripley are back from that 4x800 relay. Junior Addison Nabielec (pole vault) is a key returning competitor. "Overall we are a very young team with only three seniors," said CLS coach Matt Dunker. "We are very excited for the future and all the opportunities and experience our young athletes will get this season." Sophomore Gracey LePage (200) went to state, but she is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in basketball.
Dundee-Crown The Chargers (fifth at FVC indoor meet) have senior state qualifier Marisa Klaas (100 hurdles) back. Delilah Kissane (400), Penny Murray (high jump), and Oliwia Drozdz (400) were all-conference. Seniors D'Angel Slater (sprints), Nathalie Singerean (sprints), and Gisel Castaneda (distance) have experience. Junior sprinters are Alexa Baxter, Michelle Garcia, and Jordyn Shelley. Juniors Lisa Hahn (discus), Jane Larsen (distance), and Yazleen Santos (distance) are back. Key sophomores are Jade Adegbusi (sprints), MaKayla Irons (sprints), Aaliya Olla (hurdles/jumps), Alexandra Burcznski (distance), Ashly Castro (distance), and Sarah Hillyer (distance).
Elgin The Maroons placed 13th at the recent UEC indoor meet hosted by Glenbard South. Junior Tala Okasha (1,600) and sophomore Teagan Culver (3,200) will be among the squad's top distance runners. Okasha, Natalia Hernandez Rivera, Guadalupe Mora, and Emma Valdivia just missed fifth place in the 4x800 at the indoor championships. Junior Lakesah Council is the team's top long jumper.
Geneva The Vikings took second in the DuKane Conference and second at sectionals. Returning state qualifiers are sophomore Alyssa Flotte (100/300/4x100), Bridget Hecker (4x100), Annabel Stevenson (4x100), Sofia Borter (4x800), Taylor Peahl (4x800), and Lexi Weber (pole vault). Geneva's great depth also features Alyssa Golden (sprints), Isa Sida (throws), Leah Friede (pole vault), Ava Mehren (pole vault), Hadley Mason (sprints), and Harper Kobeman (sprints).
Hampshire The Whip-Purs took fourth at sectionals and finished second to powerhouse Huntley at the FVC indoor meet. State qualifiers Ella Perrone (400), and Hailey Caraway (high jump) graduated. Junior Alyssa Garcia won the 400 at the indoor meet, and she ran downstate last year in the 4x800 with Hannah Jones, and Kaley Byhre. Garcia, Chinaemelum Ukachukwu, Ava Sanchez, and Kassidy Papa placed second in the 4x200 at the indoor meet while junior Hailey Homola won the shot put.
Huntley The Red Raiders took second at state, first at sectionals, and won the FVC outdoor and indoor titles. University of Miami-bound senior Dominique Johnson has become a superstar after winning two state triple jump titles, taking third in the long jump, and running on the 4x200 state title team. Senior Emmy Byers was on the 4x100 and 4x200 first-place teams. Senior Sienna Robertson (discus) placed fifth. Other returning state qualifiers are Abbie Williams (4x400), Addi Busam (triple jump), Aspen Maldonado (4x800), Cori Kilvinger (4x800), Morgan Sauber (4x800/800), Haley Rahman (4x800), and Elena Fetzer (shot put). Other keys are Nevaeh Fondjo (hurdles/sprints), Abi McKoy (hurdles/sprints), Izzy Ciesla (distance), Izzy Whitehouse (jumps), Ava Acevedo (sprints), Emma Garofalo (pole vault), and Brianna Felde (throws).
Jacobs The Golden Eagles placed 10th at the Huntley sectional and seventh at the FVC indoor meet. Senior Hudson Szymonik ran downstate last year on Hampshire's 4x800 relay. Szymonik started this season by winning the 3,200 at the FVC indoor meet and taking third in the 1,600. Junior Carly Uehlein took second in the shot put while the 4x800 team of Kathleen Kania, Mackenzie Cronin, Rylie Warczak, and Jamie Lakeman placed fourth.
Kaneland The Knights placed 15th at Class 3A sectionals and second in the Interstate Eight. Junior Danielle Bower was the IEC champion in the 3,200 and second in the 1,600 last year. Seniors Charlotte Krage (shot put) and Lilia Fleshman (400/high jump) will provide leadership with juniors Delainey Baran (pole vault), and Emma Gatz (pole vault). Sophomores Kyla Schulz (throws), Amani Meeks (long jump), and Ellie Olp (sprints/4x100) will provide depth to the young squad.
Larkin The Royals placed eighth in the UEC before losing three key seniors to graduation. New head coach Jomari Villaluz has senior Jahnya Walker (sprinter/long jump) for leadership. Juniors Leslie Vargas (100 hurdles/high jump), and Makayla Preuss (200/800/high jump) will be vital. "I am very grateful to have received a team that has a firm grasp of what their expectations are as athletes from the previous head coach, Heather Carey," said Villaluz. "The goal that we have set for each athlete is to beat their previous times and marks. Hopefully this will instill a competitive spirit and a desire to win for all our young athletes."
Rosary The Royals placed second at the Rochelle sectional last year and eighth at the GCAC indoor meet this season. Returning Class 2A state qualifiers are junior Katie Kostro (100 and 300 hurdles/high jump), and sophomore Madeline Ehrenberg (300 hurdles). Kostro, Ehrenberg, and junior Peyton Saltijeral ran at state in the 4x400. Senior Ellie Gengler and Chiara Surtz were part of the 4x800 team that placed ninth at state.
South Elgin The Storm placed sixth at the 14-team UEC indoor meet this season. Freshman Caitlin Wennerstrom placed fourth in the 3,200-run, and fifth in the 1,600 at the indoor meet. The 4x800 team of Wennerstrom, Magdalena Altergott, Karla Diaz, and Maya Vodenik took home third place. Junior Alexis Olson placed third in the triple jump.
St. Edward The Green Wave placed eighth in the Chicagoland Christian Conference last year. Junior Sophie Holland is a key returning mid-distance runner for the young team with hopes of moving up in the conference standings this season.
St. Charles East The Saints lost all-stater Marley Andelman (800) to graduation after they placed seventh in the DuKane Conference and eighth at sectionals. Senior Ellis Mueller and sophomore Nicole Mayer will lead the team in the 800. Junior Addison Schilb was a state qualifier in the triple jump. Schilb, Mady Piekarz, and Luca Ketter all reached state in the 4x200. Freshmen Adley Wilson (1,600/3,200), Siri Forsell (sprints), and Fiona Post (sprints) are newcomers to watch.
St. Charles North The North Stars placed third at sectionals and second at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. Seniors Tosin Oshin (seventh in shot put), and Ava Miedema (4x400/ 300 hurdles) reached state. Sophomores Julia Rodney (1,600), Gwen Hobson (800), and Alanna Gupta (4x400) went to state. Hobson, Rodney, and junior Reese Thomas (4x800) placed ninth at state. Freshman Kara Glenn won the 1,600 at the indoor meet while senior Aliya Clayton won the long jump.
Streamwood The Sabres placed 12th at the Hoffman Estates sectional and 11th at the UEC indoor meet. Senior Sophia Baumert qualified for the state meet in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. Senior Elissa Callender took home first place in the shot put at the indoor meet with a throw of 10.33 meters. Sophomore Mariyah Humphrey placed fifth in the high jump in the 14-team indoor meet.
West Aurora The Blackhawks took 13th at the DGN sectional before winning the recent UEC indoor meet. Seniors Isabella Smith and Avery Littlejohn ran on the 4x400 relay that qualified for state. Senior Kaitlyn Kraiss soared to state in the pole vault. Littlejohn won the 400-meter run at the UEC indoor meet while junior Dedra Tate took first in the 55-meter hurdles. Kraiss, Tate, Littlejohn, and Samantha Zarazoga won the 4x100 relay at the indoor meet. Smith, Littlejohn, Trynice Robinson, and Zella Arseneau won the 4x400. Itzel Figueroa, Lina Kitner, Soria Lara, and Abbey Hauser won the 4x800.