Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Brianne Davis was elated to qualify for her first Class 3A girls track and field state meet in 2023. All three of her discus throws in prelims were out of the sector, giving her no mark but valuable experience.
“It was so intimidating but I liked the competition. I just wish I was able to piece it together,” Davis said. “I think I learned something from it and I’ll do better this year.”
Davis is on pace for that better state return. Davis had her third-best throw with the Huskies of 36.81 meters/120 feet-9½ inches, Friday, as one of four event champions at Hinsdale Central’s Devilette Invitational. OPRF (114 points) finished second to the Red Devils (122) in the nine-team field.
Davis threw beyond the state-qualifying mark of 35.20m/115-6, which at sectionals results in an automatic state berth. In 2023, she threw 124-10¾ at the conference meet and 124-3¾ at sectionals for second to teammate and state runner-up Reese Garland, now competing for USC.
She also was second in shot put Friday (9.98m/32-9). Last August, she competed in both throws at the AAU Junior Olympics at Drake University.
“Although I didn’t perform that well, it was good experience being there. And I think for state I will be better,” she said.
Sophomore high jumper Alexis Henderson, meanwhile, set the outdoor school record with a first-place 1.62m/5-4. She cleared an all-time school best 5-6¼ indoors, Feb. 24.
The 4 x 400 meter relay of Bella Brauc, Chloe Kozicki, Devyn Kleidon and Julia Brown (4:05.33) and 4 x 200 (Amelia Hammersley, Blaire Brown, Maisie Hoerster and Brauc (1:47.95) also took first.
The 4 x 400 ran under the 4:05.50 state cut for the first time this season. Juniors Brauc (21st, 1:00.36) and Julia Brown (24th, 1:01.34) were 2023 state qualifiers in the 400.
“This is a new (4 x 400) team for us, a new order, and we worked really, really well together,” Julia Brown said.
“I’m excited to redeem myself [at state]. I feel like last year I didn’t run my best, but this year I feel more motivated, a lot more healthy to do so.”
Nora Butterly (300 low hurdles in 50.61), Anne Lynch (3,200 in 12:07.37), Hammersley (100 in 13.04), and the 4 x 100 (Brauc, Hammersley, Kleidon, Taylor Smith in 50.57) also took second. Hannah Franke (3.20m/10-6 in pole vault), Lenny Sterritt (1,600 in 5:21.59), Smith (5.07m/in long jump) and Brauc (1.52m/5-0 in high jump) were third.
Franke, who tied for 16th at 2023 state (3.28m/10-9), again cleared the 10-3 state cut. Smith, a state qualifier in triple jump (17th, 10.98m/36-0¼), continues to progress after a broken right finger during basketball that required surgery and one month of recovery.
“I’ve been improving. Today was a really good meet [for me] in the cold,” Smith said. “I’m trying to get back into it, trying to fix my technique on some things. Other than that, I think just some more practice and to get on that runway in meets.”
