Senior Chloe Kozicki typified the performances by the Oak Park and River Forest girls track & field team Thursday in finishing second at the Class 3A Whitney Young Sectional at Knute Rockne Stadium.
Kozicki earned state berths in the 200-meter dash, finishing second place with a personal best of (25.91 seconds, and as part of the winning 4 x 200 relay. This is her third time at state and second time for the 4 x 200 relay, but her first time as an individual.
“I’m super-excited and proud of myself for qualifying for state as an individual for the first time,” she said. “All the hard work and support from my coaches and teammates has helped me get here.”
Top-two sectional finishers automatically qualify for state as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the sectional. The 3A and 2A state meets are Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University.
Field events set the tone early for the Huskies (135 points) at sectionals. Senior Oliwia Slezak earned first place in both shot put (10.99 meters/36 feet 3/4 inch) and discus (37.19m/122-0).
Slezak’s senior teammate Sheila Johnson earned second in shot (9.74m/31-11 1/2) for her first state berth. Senior Luciana Ramirez also makes her state debut after earning second with a personal-best 3.03m/9-11 1/4 in pole vault, which was held Friday at OPRF.
The 4 x 200 relay of Kozicki, senior Soraya Lewis-Arellano, sophomore Zoe Bourelly and freshman Kiara Murphy captured first place, running a personal-best 1:43.07 in a statement performance that reflected a season of steady progression.
“We’re very confident and have improved a lot this season,” Lewis-Arellano said. “Our team chemistry has grown while continuing to compete together and stay focused on our goals.”
From there, the Huskies continued the momentum across the track.
In the 800, senior Violet Schnizlein advanced with a second-place 2:18.00, showing patience early, before closing strong in the final stretch.
“I knew the front runner was going to push hard, and I wanted to keep her in sight.” Schnizlein said. “I know within the 800 that I can push a lot harder with 300 meters to go. My goal is to get into the finals (top 12 in prelims) and be competitive.”
Senior Niani Patton added another key finish in the 100 high hurdles, placing second in (17:84).
“Consistency and being able to accelerate between the hurdles is my strength.” Patton said.
Fenwick/Trinity girls track & field
Fenwick and Trinity battled among some of the top 2A performers Friday at the Clark Sectional, also at Rockne Stadium. Fenwick junior Mia Bagato qualified for state in two events by taking second in the 400 (1:00.14) and third in the 800 (2:16.75).
After doubling back from the 800, she relied on both preparation and her race execution in the 400.
“After coming off the 800, I wanted to give it all I had,” Bagato said. “I knew I had to trust my training. I knew the reps we put in at practice would help me achieve a strong finish. I wanted to get out fast and stick with the top girl.”
She said this season has felt especially rewarding after not being able to race last year in the sectional meet due to an injury.
“My coaches have been supportive of my goals, and finding training that works best for me has yielded these results. Everything came full circle for this moment,” Bagato said.
In the 3,200, Fenwick sophomore Bridget Brunick advanced by taking sixth in the 3,200 (11:45.74) while seventh-place junior Julianna Gamboa narrowly secured a state bid (11:49.73) by just beating the 2A state qualifying standard of 11:49.92.
Junior Maeve Bonakdar and sophomore Molly Madden dominated the field events. Bonakdar won shot put with a throw of 10.85m/35-7 1/4, while Madden won the discus with 32.61m/107-0.
Fenwick head coach Latoya Zubowicz-Hill praised the team’s composure and competitiveness following the meet.
“Their ability to adjust and go above and beyond what is expected of them in their races is what I am most proud of these girls for accomplishing (Friday),” Zubowicz-Hill said.
Trinity sophomore Karis Young delivered a sectional championship performance in the 100 high hurdles. Young crossed the finish line in 16.39 for her first time qualifying for the state meet in her second time running the event at sectionals.
“After crossing the finish line, it was such an exciting moment.” Young said. “My teammates came running over to me cheering and celebrating with me. Sharing that moment with them made qualifying for state even more special.”
Bill Stone contributed to this report.