Oak Park and River Forest senior Brianne Davis had a hectic but enjoyable Saturday. Davis not only was in her first Class 3A girls track and field state finals for discus that afternoon at Eastern Illinois University but contending for her first top-nine, all-state honors.
And prom was that evening.
“I wasn’t really worried about prom. I was just worried about getting my medal and showing up to prom with a medal than without,” Davis said. She finished an all-state sixth with 38.52 meters/126 feet-4 1/2 inches, her best distance in high-school competition.
OPRF junior Bella Brauc was all-state twice, taking ninth in the 400-meter dash (58.63) and sharing ninth in high jump by clearing an outdoor-best 1.60m/5-3.
Based on Friday’s preliminaries, Davis entered finals in fourth but all three throws in finals were fouls and two throwers passed her. At her first state meet in 2023, all three of Davis’ attempts in prelims were fouls.
“[Friday] was one of my best throwing days ever. I wish I had more in me [Saturday],” she said. “I approached the prelims really calm. I wasn’t as nervous [as 2023]. I wanted to make it to finals.”
Brauc got the last spot for the 400 finals by .04 with a lifetime-best 57.40. She joined sophomore Alexis Henderson in the 19-person high jump finals by clearing the necessary 1.58 m/5-2 1/4 with Friday’s final attempt. Henderson was 17th Saturday (1.55m/5-1).
“It’s incredible. I didn’t think I was going to make finals for either of these,” she said. “I’m just so happy that I can be here, stand on the podium, have a medal. It’s really exciting for me.”
Senior Taylor Smith made her first finals in triple jump and remained 12th Saturday (11.23m/36-10 1/4) as the last finalist by 2 1/2 inches. Taylor also was 24th in long jump (5.12m/16-9 3/4).
“I was proud I made [state] for both. I made my goal,” said Smith, who will join Davis competing at Indiana State.
“If you would have asked me last year if I would be here [in finals], I would not believe you. I think this year my mindset kind of shifted. Mentally, just thinking I can do it, that’s what really got me here this year.”
Other OPRF state competitors were the 4 x 400 of Brauc, sophomore Chloe Kozicki, Sterritt and junior Julia Brown (13th, 3:59.20), the 4 x 800 of sophomore Violet Schnizlein, freshman Lucy Stein, junior Nora Butterly and Sterritt (18th, 9:31.08), sophomore Oliwia Slezak (19th in discus, 33.41m/109-7) and Brown (20th in 400, 58.83). Senior pole vaulter Hannah Franke scratched.
In the 4 x 400, Sterritt was a last-minute sub after freshman Devyn Kleidon was injured coming out of the starting blocks and the Huskies were allowed a restart. Afterwards, Sterritt was informally awarded an IHSA sportsmanship baton.
Fenwick/Trinity girls track
With about 200 meters left, Fenwick junior Mia Menendez appeared destined to finish an all-state seventh in the 800 for the third time Saturday.
“I was telling myself I was almost there and I had to keep going even though it was very hot and painful too,” Menendez said.
She ended up an impressive sixth in a school-record 2:16.18.
In Friday’s preliminaries, Menendez ran the fourth-fastest qualifying time (2:17.72), then her fastest time next to her school-record 2:16.78 from 2023 sectionals.
“I feel like for a while I’ve been stuck at a time, so it’s kind of nice to be able to break through that at state,” Menendez said. “It’s been a great season. I feel like I’ve been able to grow.”
The 4 x 400 (freshmen Mai Bagato, Teresa Urso and Juliana Gamboa, Menendez in 4:15.16) and freshman Maeve Bonakdar (9.67m/31-8 3/4 in shot put) were 24th.
Subbing for a teammate, Menendez joined senior Anna Scholtens, Gamboa and junior Kimberly Robles to anchor the 4 x 800 but did not complete the race.
Trinity state entries were sophomore Molly McGreal (18th in 3,200, 11:53.72) and freshman Charlotte Houlihan (27th in discus, 22.82m/74-10 1/2).