The 4x200m medalists all lined up in harmony inside the cozy Proviso West HS field house (Sabrina Mendoza photo)
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-Girls-
- Lane Tech girls middle-distance coach Jeff Bryant had been working diligently with his 4x800m relay corps group for several months and with the opportunities to run fast indoors limited, he felt the right time to run fast was now. "I think we can run in the 9:30's on Saturday," he uttered to his girls one day during a practice session last week. "We won't be able to run on a fast track inside too much... gotta take advantage of the opportunities," he finished. Junior Imani Davis did not waste much time in getting out well ahead of the field after the first 200. She would later be joined by senior Jocelyn Mendoza of Chicago Taft. Mendoza would stick to Davis like glue and both appeared to be even at the exchange in 2:20.5. The resistance that Taft provided was short lived and before you knew it, it was over. The Indians won going away in a big state best 9:37.65.
- The 4x200m relay: Oak Park-River Forest fought off a surprisingly solid North Lawndale team from Chicago to win 1:48.23-1:50.18. The Lady Huskies needed every strong leg in turning back the Phoenix who aim to challenge in the 2A classification this season. Bolingbrook and Chicago (De La Salle) also broke 1:51.
- Lane Tech returned back in the 4x400 relay with Davis, Maddie Monticello, and Ro Mulkerrins to win easily in another state best 4:07.72. Senior all-state hurdler Sabrina Matias brought home the win.
-Boys-
- Lyons Township picked up where they left off last year when they earned all-state honors in the 4x8 and 4x4. The 4x8 was a dramatic affair in which Barrington built up a big lead on the strength of senior Konrad Eiring's strong 1:59.3 lead off. It appeared as though the Broncos were going to run away and hid. But Chicago Jones Prep and Lyons had other ideas. Both squads gradually clawed their way back into the race. Jones actually took the lead momentarily Barrington and Lyons would decide the fate late on the anchor leg. Lyons' talented Alex Lima took control on his leg and sped away to victory for his team. The Lions clocked 8:16.73. Barrington maintained second in 8:19.54 ahead of Jones 8:20.38.
- Lyons took the 4x4 in a solid 3:30.07. Alex Lima clocked 51.1 to bring the Lions deficit over Minooka and Metea Valley of Aurora.
- Minooka won the penultimate heat 4x200 in 1:33.85- and the spoils of the overall victory were a bouquet of flowers. The championship section was won by host Proviso West in 1:34.13. The name of the game in the 4x2 is clean if not safe handoffs. Unfortunately the Panthers could not take advantage of the swift competition and they had to settle for a set of glass slippers.
- Check for more on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!