Headliners don't disappoint

AURORA -- One, two, three jump.

Sounds easy. And it sure looked easy when she breezed through the 100-meter hurdles in a blistering 13.50 seconds, a personal record. But Natalie Tarter would be the first to tell you, it's anything but easy.

"We had some of the top hurdlers in the state running in the finals," the Batavia junior standout said Friday. "I was so nervous all day, and still nervous getting in the blocks. I thought they were right behind me the whole race."

Runnerup Shakeia Pinnick was nearly a full second behind, finishing second in 14.40 seconds. Three other girls, including West High's Shanice Andrews (4th, :14.70) came in under 15 seconds.

"Just three steps and jump," said Tarter, who qualified for state in three other events. "My technique just came together tonight real well. I felt really low to the hurdles and just smooth and, I guess, in the zone. I'm glad we came to this sectional, because it was such good competition."

She came back moments later to win the 100-meter dash in 12 seconds flat before settling for second, behind Pinnick, in the 300 hurdles.

She also ran a leg of Batavia's winning 1,600-meter relay that included Kathryn Warner, Alexis Sampson and Brooke Bernardoni. They finished in 3:56.0, knocking nearly three seconds off the previous best (3:58.90, 2004).

"She gets nervous, like any athlete out here, which is kind of cool," Batavia coach Chad Hillman said of Tarter. "She doesn't strut her way around here."

The Bulldogs scored 65 points to finish second to Benet Academy (88).

Pinnick fights hard, too, and had to battle after struggling in the 100 hurdles.

"I became unfocused," Pinnick said of that race. "We're so close, the littlest thing makes the difference and (Tarter) ran a great race."

Pinnick went out hard and took the early lead in the 800 but stuggled the last 100 meters and settled for fifth. Benet's McKinzie Schulz won the race in 2:14.90. Batavia's Alexis Samspon (school record 2:15.90) was second and the Warriors' Toni Ogundare (2:16.40) was third.

Pinnick (2:19.50) still qualified and came back to win the 300 hurdles in 42.40 seconds, edging Tarter by a second.

"The thing I like the most," said Waubonsie Valley coach Jim Braun, "is that she doesn't give up. She comes back. She's a competitor."

Pinnick then took second in the 200-meter dash to qualify for her fourth event.

"I think I was focused more in the 300 hurdles," said Pinnick. "I might have been a little angry but I have my routine where I count all my steps (between hurdles), which may have helped me stay more focused. Which is good, because it's my favorite race."

Oswego's Christina Sliepka was the only other area winner, taking the 3,200-meter run in 11:18.20. The Panther junior came back to take second in the 1,600, finishing in 5:15.20.

Rosary's Monica English was a double qualifier, taking second in the discus and sixth in the shot put.

West Aurora coach Teresa Towles was pleased that three relays (400, 800 and 1600) all qualified. They included Danesha Dudley, Kehley Dunah, Mariah Smith, Markesha Davis, Kristin Holmes, Jasmine Ranson, Charlotte Smith and Andrews. Leah Chollett and Ranson also qualified in the high jump, which featured 11 qualifiers and included Amy Kus and Nora Bowe of Rosary and Alex Balderas of Yorkville.

Aurora Christian's Ann Schuett won the 3,200, while Anna Morgan was second in the 800 and 1,600. Mooseheart's Basheeba Mays won the triple jump and Ruthfee Kollie the high jump. Plano finished fifth, behind wins from Ainsley Richards in the long jump and Karson Greiter in the 3,200. Olivia Moody was second in the high jump. Rickards also qualified for state in the triple jump. Hinckley-Big Rock's Jenna Thorp won the shot put and Tess Godhardt won the high jump, tying a school record at 5-feet, 4-inches. Indian Creek had two atheltes qualify for state in the high jump in Samantha Wong, who finished second, and Loren Goodrich, who finished third. Geneva had X girls qualify for state. Lexie Tomchek was second in the high jump, Alli Pace was third in the pole vault, Alissa Dappas was third in the 300 hurdles, Kelly Whitely was third in the 1,600 run and Geneva was second in the 3,200 relay and the 800 relay and the 1,600 relay. Girls Track Sectionals