May 29, 2025
Sports

Girls Track: Katelynne Hart runs fastest 1,600 in U.S., paces Glenbard West to Pariseau title

Katie Hohe gets dramatic victory in the 3,200 for Hilltoppers

By BILL STONE

Glenbard West sophomore Katelynne Hart takes an early lead on the way to setting a state record of 9:52.02 in the 3,200 meter run at the Sue Pariseau Invitational at Glenbard West on April 21 2018.

GLEN ELLYN – Glenbard West junior Katelynne Hart posted the nation’s fastest girls high-school 1,600 meters this track season with a 4:45.33 Saturday.

Senior teammate Katie Hohe enjoyed the most dramatic victory.

Behind by eight seconds with one lap remaining, Hohe closed into the final straightaway and won the 3,200 in 11:04.81 at her final home Sue Pariseau Invitational.

“I can’t even put into words how it felt to be coming in hot that last 100 meters on my home track, my senior year, in first place,” Hohe said. “It was just a really special moment and something I’ll hold with me for a long time.”

On Monday, Hohe attended her IHSA All-State Academic Team banquet.

“It’s just been a good week,” Hohe said.

The Hilltoppers, who scored 102 points, also had titles from freshman Audrey Allman (800 in 2:17.58) and the 1,600 relay of junior Aaliyah Collier, Hohe, junior Ava Powell and Hart (4:04.76). Wheaton North (31 points), Hinsdale Central (28) and Willowbrook (21) were 10th, 12th and 13th in the team standings.

At last year’s Pariseau Invite, Hart ran the fastest 3,200 in Illinois girls high school history (9:52.02). She began Saturday anchoring the second-place 3,200 relay with Allman, junior Haley Yeager and Powell (9:38.27).

“Just because I was going to run the (3,200 relay) and have a lot of rest, I was definitely hoping to run fast,” Hart said. “I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant because of the wind, but I was super happy with 4:45.”

Hinsdale Central junior Dior Nicholson won shot put (40-0 3/4) and discus (116-4). Wheaton North senior Mikayla Wassell was second in discus (103-11), the 800 relay of juniors Leeya Zander and Nicole Engstrom, senior Christie Marcus and freshman Taliyah Sims was third (1:46.25) and senior pole vaulters Sarah Stair and Jaime Schulz were fourth and fifth (10-6).

A two-time Class 3A state qualifier, Stair was 14th last year with an effort of 10-6. In less than two weeks, Schulz has cleared 10-3 and 10-6 for the first times.

“[The 10-6] was really, really exciting, too, because I feel like this is all happening really fast,” Schulz said. “[Stair] has been a huge inspiration, just trying to reach what she’s going at.”

Willowbrook senior Miani Blackwell and sophomore Aniyah Rushing were third (34-8 1/4) and fifth (33-10 1/2) in shot. Blackwell was fourth in discus (102-7). The 3A state-qualifying standards are 38-5 and 118-5. Blackwell threw a lifetime-best 111-7 at sectionals last year. Sophomore Nicole DelSanto, who won the sophomore level with an invite-record 110-0, threw 116-7 April 6.

“I love seeing her throw,” Blackwell said. “You just have to keep staying positive [to qualify] and pushing through with whatever is going on with your life, with school.”

York junior Lydia Hickey anchored the fourth-place 1,600 relay with juniors Bella Walker and Marissa Chavez and sophomore Sydney Malaga (4:14.28) and fifth-place 3,200 relay with juniors Emma Kern and Abby Moriarty and senior Sarah Pinkowski (11:28.52). Senior Sarah May was fifth in the 3,200 (11:28.52). Hickey, Kern and May return from last year’s all-state ninth-place 3,200 relay.

“This is normally where we are at this meet ([timewise],” Hickey said. “I’ve wanted to do better than I have been doing. But I’m still pushing.”

For Class 2A Wheaton Academy, senior Alyssa Mantia was ninth in just her second 3,200 (11:51.19). The 2A state-qualifying standard is 11:44.25. A four-year volleyball player, Mantia joined track as a junior sprinter. She’ll compete track -- and cross country for the first time -- at Wheaton College.

“My friends were doing [track] so I was like, ‘I’ll try it,’ ” Mantia said. “Hopefully I can work hard and that’ll pay off [with state].”

Glenbard West senior Huda Hussaini (100 in 12.75) and junior Ashley Samuta (36-2 in triple jump) were second and on the second-place 800 relay (1:45.88) and third-place 400 relay (50.37) with sophomore Kate Morrison and freshman Kyrah Maas. Collier tied for second in high jump (5-1). Several top distance runners opted to compete also or instead at Saturday night’s Distance Night in Palatine. In the 3,200, Hinsdale Central junior Emma Watcke ran an all-time school-best 10:34.79 and junior McKenna Revord a personal-best 10:47.67. May posted her second-fastest 1,600 (5:03.80).