Girls track and field: Lockport finishes fifth in 16-team Marszalek Invitational

LOCKPORT – The weather seemed to turn the corner Friday night and it was evident at the Christine Marszalek Girls Invitational Track & Field Meet.

The meet is named in honor of the longtime Porters teacher and coach who retired in 2006. She still works the finish line just like she has at every home track meet, girls or boys, since 1979.

“I have seen every athlete who has ever crossed this finish line since 1979,” Marszalek said. “I enjoy this very much. This never gets old, and it’s great to see all of the athletes perform. The weather has been so terrible this spring that some of the kids said this is only their second meet of the season. At this time of year, it always gets cold when the sun goes down, and the only way it will stay warm at night is if we move this meet to Georgia.”

Downers Grove North won the 16-team meet with 118 points. Lockport led area schools with a fifth-place finish, followed by Lemont seventh, Providence Catholic 10th, Lincoln-Way West 12th and Lincoln-Way Central 13th.

Lockport earned two individual titles as the 4x800-meter relay of senior Aubrey Friedrich, junior Kate Wojcikiewicz and sophomores Anna and Abbey Kozak posted a time of 10 minutes, 1.99 seconds, and Grace Gliwa won the 300 hurdles in 47.74.

“It really feels nice to get some decent weather and get back on the track and compete,” Friedrich said. “Abbey and Anna fit right in with us and our goal is to make it to the state meet. We all run individual events, but the relay is much more fun. We are together, and it’s a team thing. We are supporting each other and help each other.”

“I really needed this race with great competition and it’s a great confidence boost,” Gliwa smiled. “I’m very happy with this race because this is my first year of running the 300 hurdles. I’ve always wanted to do it and since this is my senior year, I decided just to go for it.”

Lockport mentor Joe Kravitz knows not only are his Porters behind at this time of year, but so is everyone in the sport.

“Usually by this time of the season, everyone has experimented a little in trying to find the right combination for relays and where your athletes fit in, but we just haven’t had that luxury this season,” Kravitz said. “The are still many unknowns, but if and when the weather breaks, you have to be prepared to pop a good performance. We can train, but you still need outside competition to make everyone better.”

Lemont received a win from Celine Ratulowski in the 400 (60.45).

“It’s crazy to think that we haven’t had many meets, and that sectional is in three weeks,” Ratulowski said. “With the weather so bad, we have had to train more indoors, and it just wears on your legs. My goal is to get back to state, and this meet really helps to reach that goal.”

Providence sophomore Samantha Spencer won the pole vault with a jump of 12 feet, 6 inches, which not only set a school record, but ties the highest mark during the outdoor season in Class 3A. Spencer also finished fourth in the 200 (26.63).

“My concentration in this meet was on the pole vault,” Spencer said. “You just have to try and push through the weather, and this was the first time on my new pole during the outdoor season. I have such great coaches, and my success is due to them. I felt really good today with the warmer temperatures and the sun shining. It finally felt like the outdoor season.”

Spencer’s vaulting teammate, Stephanie Sestak, finished third (9-6) and triple jumper Chelsea Wells set a school record with a jump of 35-3 to finish fourth.

“This is like a mini state meet for us with all of the 4A competition,” Providence coach Tom Lenahan said. “We had about four weeks off between indoor and outdoor because of the weather and I really like coming to this meet. It shows us we can compete with anyone.”

Lincoln-Way West had two fifth-place finishes as Jenna Fiore ran 5:35.45 in the 1,600 and Tara Hastings ran 17.63 in the 100 hurdles.

Lincoln-Way Central was led by the fourth-place finish of Lexy Sams in the 1,600 (5:34.78).