All Eyes on Track

The girls track and field team began their season on a new bank track at South Shore, Chicago, on February 14th. After winning back-to-back 2A State Championships, they have been promoted to the 3A class. Though this will challenge them with new competition, they aim to remain competitive. The team proved so at the meet, placing in the top six in eight out of ten events. In addition, many people achieved new personal records including: Hannah Safranek: 60m, 60m, 4x200m; Harper Mcintyre: 60m, 4x200m; Addie Cortese: 60m, 4x200m; Caty Minton: 60m, 400m; Scout Minnaert: 200m, 4×2; Kelly Dietch: 60m, 200m; Neveah Jackson: 60m; Kara Ritter: 60m; Eva Stalets: 800m; Chloe Layman: 1600m; Lana Alcorn: 4x800m; Jocelyn Lewis: 4x800m; Josie Wamsley: 4x800m; Mili Davis: 4x800m; Isabella Thurston: Shot.

Coach Randy Anderson is proud to say that this is one of the most talented groups of athletes he’s coached in 28 years, because every year shows growth, and this team is taking a big step up in competition this year in the 3A class. Anderson stated, “It’s gonna be a step up. We have to have some people really perform well to get kids to state and be able to compete at state throughout the season.” As the season has officially started, the coaches continue to make modifications to help their sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, and throwers improve to become their best, using this meet as the first opportunity to see where everyone’s at and setting a tone for what is ahead.

First event, longest race, she’s ready. Senior Lana Alcorn was the first leg of the 4x800m, and on her first lap, passing Homewood Flossmoor. With her previous teammates graduating, she was excited to run with the incoming freshman.. This is an event that takes a lot of teamwork, and they showed that at this meet, whether it was warming up together or trusting each other. “We were hoping to get top 5 in the 4x800m, which we did, so we were happy about that,” Alcorn said. “We didn’t have any goals regarding time since it’s still so early in the season.”

Lana Alcorn, 12 (Emily Gross)

The familiar and the new. Going into the meet, junior Caty Minton ran the 60m with two of her teammates right next to her. She ran her best event, the 400m, and a new event, the 60m. Two very different races, but she took on both with confidence. “I had two meet goals today. The first one was to have a fun time, and also to break my opening 400 time from last season, which I did!” Minton exclaimed. Her 58 second time, an improvement from last year’s 102, won her second place.

Caty Minton, 11 (Emily Gross)

Faith, form, and fun. Freshman Kelly Dietch first competed in the 60m then the JV 4x200m at her first meet of the season, getting an early look at the competition that lies ahead. “My goals were to run a good first leg in the 4×2 and have good block starts. I also wanted to honor God in the way I carried myself through the meet,” Dietch said. Entering without high expectations, Dietch focused on doing her best and having fun while gaining valuable experience.

Kelly Dietch, 9 (Emily Gross)

Rising to the occasion. Freshman Eva Stalets ran the 800m, finishing right behind east St. Louis in her first high school meet on a bank track. “It was a little hard to get started since it felt like I was running up a hill to begin, but it got better throughout the race,” Stalets said. Being her first meet she was excited and nervous to compete with more experienced girls. Despite this, she competed well and placed in the top 25. That is a very impressive accomplishment for a first-time competitor on a challenging track.

Eva Stalets, 9 (Emily Gross)

Built to throw. Opening the meet as the first U-High athlete to step out on the track, junior Isabella Thurston threw to a 4th place finish while breaking the meet record. Not only is Thurston a great competitor, but she faced tough competition at this meet as well. “I was looking out for the two girls from Edwardsville and Flossmoor as they are my biggest competitors not only in this meet, but in 3A. It was also exciting to compete against them as I have for three years now,” Thurston said. Facing familiar and formidable competition, Thurston continued to push the limits of her event while setting the tone for her team early in the season.

Isabella Thurston, 11 (Emily Gross)

Full speed ahead. Junior Addie Cortese ran the varsity 4x200m staying neck and neck with her competitor, then the 60m. A relay is a team effort, and Cortese entered the race with the mentality of chasing her personal best in order for the relay to do their best. “I focused on maintaining good form, staying relaxed, and pushing to finish strong,” she said. Finishing 6th overall and almost matching their relay personal record, Cortese and her teammates continue to test their limits as part of a relay that strives to be better each year.

Addie Cortese, 11 (Emily Gross)

One hurdle at a time. Junior Hannah Safranek raced against her top competitors and even friends in the 60m hurdles, 60m, and varsity 4x200m, placing 4th in the hurdles, 5th, and 6th respectively while also gaining two new personal bests. “Kayleigh Shabazz and I in the 60m hurdles are friends that met through track. We were right next to each other, and we were like ‘we’re gonna get under 9 today,’” Safranek said. “And then we both did, and it was great.” Track meets are for pushing yourself to see what you can do, but it also comes with competing alongside friends who help in being the best you can be.

Hanah Safranek, 11 (Emily Gross)

Defying gravity. Sophomore Clara Waddell competed in the high jump, her specialty event, placing 5th. “I was excited to compete with Emily Gross, but I didn’t really pay attention to our competition because I knew there would be a lot at this meet, and I didn’t want to make myself more nervous,” Waddell said. Knowing competition would be high, she treated the meet as practice since it’s only the first one of the season.

Clara Wadell, 10 (Emily Gross)