Benet's Schulz makes history

McKinzie Schulz made history for Benet by becoming its first state champion in girls track and field on Saturday.

But the Redwings junior just missed doing something even more special during her big day at the Class 3A track and field meet in Charleston.

Schulz won the championship in the 800 (2:12.12) and led in the 1,600 (4:49.77) before getting passed in the late going by Barrington's Rebecca Tracy (4:49.35).

And thanks to a sixth-place showing from Maria Scheet in the pole vault (11-3), Benet finished in ninth place with 22 points.

With her win in the 800, Schulz surpassed the school's previous-best finish, second place, which was done by two individuals and a relay.

Schulz, who was third in the 800 last year and sixth the year before, now holds the Benet record for medals won at state with four.

"I really wanted to win some event this year and that's been my dream ever since I was a freshman," Schulz said. "I never thought that I would actually win a title but doing that was amazing.

"I went out really slow in the 800 so I knew that I had to start to run as fast as I could. Then in the mile I knew it was going to be tough, but I went for it since I wasn't going to give up."

Naperville North's top showing was turned in by Kamaria Huggins, who took fifth place in the 400 (:56.58).

Leading the way for Neuqua Valley was Kristin Morrison, who claimed fifth place in the triple jump (37-8.5).

Benet's Anne Yahiro came up one spot shy of a medal in the triple jump (36-9.75) when she took tenth place.

The Huskies competed in the finals of the 3,200 relay (9:36.96) but wound up claiming 11th place in the event.

That relay squad consisted of Michelle Stratton, Grace Yang, Anne Herbert and Jamie Schertz.