West piles up points
Saturday, May 15 2010 - -West piles up points
(Donnell Collins/For Sun-Times Media)
Font Size
Email
Bookmark
White TextPLAINFIELD -- The girls from West Aurora did their own version of Dancing With the Stars Friday night.
The Blackhawks waltzed to the first sectional title in program history at Plainfield Central High School with the upperclassmen performing in their events then fox-trotting off to prom.
"After conference being so discouraging last week this is just the best," West coach Teresa Towles said, referring to a runner-up finish at the DuPage Valley Meet.
"They came out here and performed. The girls deserve all the credit, especially all those seniors. When I found out prom was the night of sectional, I was worried, but they were very dedicated."
West piled up 94 points and beat runner-up Bolingbrook by 28. Waubonsie Valley, which also had upperclassmen leaving to attend prom, took third with 61 points.
Seniors Shanice Andrews and Mariah Smith led the way for West. Andrews won three events -- the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and triple jump -- and took also qualified in the long jump by taking third.
"I'm going to try to break 14 seconds at state (in the 100 hurdles)," said Andrews, who won in 14.41 seconds and was crossing the finish line when runner-up Mollie Sloyan (15.27) of Lockport was clearing the final hurdle.
"I've been working hard all year. Somebody will push me downstate."
In the 300 hurdles, Andrews was in third place heading into the final 100 meters when she kicked it into gear and breezed to the win.
"I'm gonna try to get out quicker, then I won't have to play catchup at the end," she said.
Smith was a double winner, taking the discus and shot put, the latter throw of 40 feet improved her personal best by 2 ½ feet.
"I didn't even expect to qualify (for state) in the shot put, let alone win it," said Smith. "The main goal, though, was to get 20 points for the team."
Jasmine Ranson qualified for two individual events for the Blackhawks, taking second in the high jump and third in the triple. West's 400, 800 and surprising 1600 relay team also advanced.
"That was a nice finish," Towles said of the 1600 unit of Cynthia Smith, Monique Dunum, Megan McKinley and Kehlay Dunah, which knocked 10 seconds off their previous best to take second.
Waubonsie Valley qualified individuals in five events, led by wins from Morolake Akinosun in the 100 and Da'sha Patton in the long jump. The 400 relay that included Crystal Butler, Patton, Moryike Akinosun and Morolake Akinosun also qualified. The same group was second in the 800 relay.
"I'm hoping to get down there and make some noise," first-year Waubonsie Valley coach Dave Gowing said of the state meet, where the Warriors took third last year.
He was pleased with his team's effort, especially with the prom distractions. They were also missing Ayo Adewale, a standout hurdler and sprinter who pulled a hamstring last week at the conference meet.
She's hoping to be able to return and may help bolster the relay teams at state.
Oswego East, which was eighth with 28 points, qualified three relays and two individuals, 1600 winner Ariel Michalak and third-place Jasmine Davis in the 200. East Aurora, 12th with 16 points, qualified Priscilla Miranda (800) and Virginia Handley (pole vault).
