May 01, 2025
Sports

Morton girls track team enjoys unprecedented success

By DAN SANTAROMITA

Morton's Sahian Lopez competes in the 3,200-meter run Thursday during the West Suburban Gold meet held at Hinsdale South. Lopez, a returning state qualifier in the event, placed third to help Morton take second place as a team. (Erica Benson)

DARIEN – Early on this season there was confidence coming from the Morton girls track and field program, and the Mustangs have continued to show that confidence is justified.

The Mustangs placed second at the West Suburban Gold meet Thursday at Hinsdale South and earned 11 top-three finishes.

“It’s our best season that we’ve ever had,” coach Chris Tompkins said. “I’ve been coaching for 12 years and I’ve been talking to other coaches, every record is being broken.”

Leading the way was Maria Rodriguez taking the pole vault title by clearing 8-feet-7-inches. Rodriguez wasn’t the only first-place finisher on the day, either.

The 4x200-meter relay team of Tyia Corbin, Nija Redmond, Gianna Cairo and Janeka Stokes, who hold the school record, also took first with a time of 1:46.68.

Second-place finishers were Janeka Stokes [high jump], Olivia Woods [triple jump] and Caryl Ewangan [pole vault]. Ashley Grahm placed third in both the long jump and triple jump. Returning state qualifier Sahian Lopez placed third in the 3,200.

In addition, the 4x100 relay took third, Nija Redmond was third in the 100 and fourth in the 200 and Abby Svetska was third in the 300-meter hurdles and fourth in the long jump.

“I think that the girls before this team set the tone,” Tompkins said. “Last year we had a good season and this was just better. I just think the ball is rolling.

“It’s just starting to become the norm around here. Show up to practice, work hard and be good. We set the tone, created the environment and they ran with it.”

It’s not just a veteran team succeeding either. Redmond and Cairo are sophomores and Lopez, Corbin and Rodriguez are juniors.

“We’ve got a ton of sophomores who are really good,” Tompkins said. “We could even be good next year as well.”

Tompkins said he expects Lopez to get through the Lyons Township sectional, which will be Friday, and qualify for the state meet. The 4x200 relay also has a good chance to get through along with Redmond and Grahm, among potential others, individually.

Morton boys prepare for conference meet

The Mustangs’ boys track and field team had an off weekend from competition before heading into the West Suburban Gold meet, which will be Friday at Morton West.