Western Illinois’ Jamario Taylor qualified for the Division I track championships in Eugene, Ore., this week by jumping 7-1 at the West Regional. | WIU Athletics

Updated: June 12, 2014 2:27AM

Western Illinois senior Jamario Taylor (East Aurora) is one of the fortunate few who will end his season this week at one of the track meccas in this country: Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene.

Taylor punched his ticket for the NCAA Division I track championship (June 11-14) by high-jumping 7 feet, 1 inch at the NCAA Division I West Regional, held at University of Arkansas.

“It feels surreal right now,” said Taylor. “The excitement is building for me. This is triple excitement for me. I am pleased that I am in the nationals, pleased that I have a chance to compete at Hayward Field and pleased that I have one more opportunity to jump at least 7-3. I am hoping that I will be able to jump 7-5 or 7-6.”

While they stopped the high jumpers at 7-1 at the West Regional, the athletes competing at the NCAA Division I East Regional, jumped 7-1.5 to advance. Taylor’s best jump of the year, 7-2.5 at the Summit League Championships, was ranked 12th before the regionals.

Steven Laduzinski (Geneva), Andrew Schreiber (Geneva) and Kyle Fortsch (Waubonsie Valley) all played for the Illinois Wesleyan lacrosse team this year. In goal, Laduzinski, a freshman, played allowed 107 goals and made 118 saves en route to posting an 8-6 mark, which was IWU’s record as well. Schreiber finished the year with 18 goals and 13 assists for 31 points. Fortsch had one goal and 27 ground balls.

Heartland Community College’s Matt Miller (Aurora Central Catholic) worked only 16 innings this year, but in that time he earned a team-leading nine saves. He allowed eight earned runs on 15 hits for a 4.50 earned run average. He fanned 21 and walked nine.

Stephen Toma (Yorkville), a Bradley junior pitcher, was 2-4 this year. In 44 2/3 innings of work, he allowed 32 earned runs on 55 hits. Besides his 6.45 earned run average, he fanned 33 and walked 22.

Jake Hanson (Aurora Christian) had 28 hits (four doubles) in 128 trips to the plate for a .219 batting average this year. The Valparaiso sophomore catcher also had 13 RBs, 10 runs scored and eight walks. In the field, he made only three errors for a .989 fielding percentage.

Maryville pitcher Julian Langford (Waubonsie Valley) finished with a 1-1 record. The freshman worked 14 1/3 innings, allowing 14 earned runs on 21 hits. He walked 14 and struck out 12.

Freshman Cara Smoczynski (Rosary) pitched 6 2/3 innings this year for the Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team. She allowed five earned runs on 10 hits for a 5.25 earned run average with five strikeouts and three walks.

Carthage baseball’s Andy Jaskolski (Oswego East) finished the year with one hit, four runs scored and one stolen base.