Lincoln-Way West Girls Display Middle-Distance Strength at Central Invitational

The Lincoln-Way West girls’ track and field team battled through a deep and competitive field on Saturday, April 11, at the Lincoln-Way Central Girls Invitational. Competing against some of the top programs in the region, the Warriors placed 10th overall with 25 points, leaning on strong performances in the hurdles, jumps, and middle-distance events.

Barrington captured the team title with 87 points, narrowly edging out Downers Grove North (76) and Frankfort Lincoln-Way East (71). Host Lincoln-Way Central finished fourth with 56.5 points.

The Warriors’ highest individual placement came courtesy of junior Emma Novotny. Novotny demonstrated excellent form over the barriers, earning a bronze medal in the 300-meter low hurdles with a time of 47.62. She also added a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter high hurdles (16.06).

Lincoln-Way West also found success in the vertical jumps. Freshman Paige Slazyk vaulted to 3.12 meters to secure a third-place finish in the pole vault. Teammate Madelyn Schussler, a senior, matched that height of 3.12 meters but placed fourth overall based on attempts.

In the high jump, freshman Mia DiBenedetto tied for fourth place, clearing the bar at 1.50 meters to add crucial points to the Warriors’ tally.

In the throwing rings, senior Emily Hendrick delivered a bronze-medal performance. Hendrick launched the shot put 10.01 meters to take third place overall, standing out in a crowded field of 48 competitors.

While they didn’t reach the podium, the Warriors’ distance runners turned in several personal-best performances. Sophomore Lizzie Lemke ran a solid 2:37.96 in the 800 meters, while Kate Lemke finished the 1600 meters in a personal-best 5:46.74. Adriana Litro (5:54.26) and Celest Reiling (6:04.76) also represented the Warriors well in the 1600-meter run.

The Warriors’ 4×800 relay team of Litro, Penny Pinciak, Ally Dean, and Kate Lemke put together a strong fifth-place finish, crossing the line in 10:14.54. The 4×400 relay squad (DiBenedetto, Molly Saller, Kaydence Golembiewski, and Dean) placed 11th overall with a time of 4:29.72.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Track and Field total team points reflect final standings)
| Team | Girls Points |
|—|—|
| Barrington | 87 |
| Downers Grove (North) | 76 |
| Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) | 71 |
| New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) | 56.5 |
| Chicago (Whitney Young) | 56 |
| Chicago (Kenwood) | 51 |
| Plainfield (North) | 51 |
| Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais) | 30 |
| Taylorville | 26 |
| New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West) | 25 |
| Chicago (Latin) | 5 |
| Chicago (Mother McAuley) | 0 |
| New Lenox (Providence Catholic) | 0 |
| Oak Forest | 0 |

Scoring Drives

(Lincoln-Way West Top-Ten Event Finishes)

• 100m Hurdles: 4th – Emma Novotny (16.06)

• 300m Hurdles: 3rd – Emma Novotny (47.62)

• Relays: 5th – 4×800 Relay (10:14.54); 10th – 4×200 Relay (1:55.99)

• Shot Put: 3rd – Emily Hendrick (10.01m)

• High Jump: 4th (Tie) – Mia DiBenedetto (1.50m)

• Pole Vault: 3rd – Paige Slazyk (3.12m); 4th – Madelyn Schussler (3.12m)

(First-Place Event Finishes – Overall)

• 100 Meters: Nevaeh Brown, Bradley-Bourbonnais (12.01)

• 100 Meters (Open): Ta’Shaila Foreman, Chicago Kenwood (12.52)

• 200 Meters: Nevaeh Brown, Bradley-Bourbonnais (24.89)

• 400 Meters: Ariel Haynes, Chicago Kenwood (59.84)

• 800 Meters: Katie Petrosky, Lincoln-Way Central (2:15.87)

• 1600 Meters: Mia Forystek, Lincoln-Way Central (4:52.70)

• 1600 Meters (Open): Reese Hundley, Lincoln-Way Central (5:50.85)

• 3200 Meters: Victoria Tarara, Barrington (10:33.85)

• 100m Hurdles: Lana McKendree, Barrington (15.44)

• 300m Hurdles: Kamdyn Redway, Chicago Kenwood (45.43)

• Relays: Downers Grove North (4×100), Chicago Whitney Young (4×200, 4×400), Barrington (4×800)

• Shot Put: Angelina Tadros, Lincoln-Way East (10.69m)

• Discus: Angelina Tadros, Lincoln-Way East (39.01m)

• High Jump: Grace Nimbley, Barrington (1.55m)

• Pole Vault: Yane Jansen Van Rensburg, Barrington (3.73m)

• Long Jump: Courtney Burt, Chicago Whitney Young (5.35m)

• Triple Jump: Courtney Burt, Chicago Whitney Young (11.52m)

Individual Statistics

• LINCOLN-WAY WEST FIELD HIGHLIGHTS: Emily Hendrick (3rd in Shot Put, 10.01m); Paige Slazyk (3rd in Pole Vault, 3.12m); Madelyn Schussler (4th in Pole Vault, 3.12m); Mia DiBenedetto (T-4th in High Jump, 1.50m).

• LINCOLN-WAY WEST TRACK HIGHLIGHTS: Emma Novotny (3rd in 300m Hurdles, 47.62; 4th in 100m Hurdles, 16.06); Kate Lemke (1600m, 5:46.74 PB).

• LINCOLN-WAY WEST RELAYS: The 4×800 relay team (Adriana Litro, Penny Pinciak, Ally Dean, Kate Lemke) placed 5th (10:14.54). The 4×200 relay team (Amileah Gerring, Angel Ughamadu, Sydney Smaga, Sami Green) placed 10th (1:55.99).