St. Ignatius Prep has an enrollment of less than 1400 students, but don't let the school's size fool you. The track and field team can compete with some of the top schools in 2A and 3A. At the Lockport Invitational, an 11 team meet, the varsity girls scored 123.5 points and the junior varsity girls scored 100.5 points to win their respective team titles.Coach Erin Luby says so far the season is off to a good start.
"This group is really committed to success and is willing to do what it takes to be great. We have had all-State athletes the past few years in a row, so that level of commitment, work ethic, and determination has affected the entire program in a positive way. We had a very good Cross Country season, also, and that team’s dedication is spilling into the track season."
Recently, the girls of St. Ignatius Prep picked up another team trophy this time at the Argo Invitational. The Lady Wolfpack received strong performances from senior Veronica Boswell and sophomore Alexis Jakubowski in the distance events. Boswell, who is in her second year of track and field, won the 3200 meter run in a time of 11:33.90 and finished second to Oswego's Kelsey Hjorth in the 1600 with a time of 5:24.10. She plans to run at John Hopkins next year. Jakubowski, who Luby calls a very talented and dedicated runner, won the 800 in 2:25.00 and finished fourth in the 1600 just three seconds behind Boswell. It's not just the distance events that were key for Luby's squad, a group of solid sprinters and hurdlers rounded out the scoring.
"In the sprints and hurdles, we return Madlen Karnatz who earned 8th place and All-State honors in the 100m Hurdles at state last year. She is also a high Jumper and plans to compete for Notre Dame next year. Freshman Hannah Cohn has made an immediate impact in the 55, 200, 400 and sprint relays. Junior Cydney Anderson has already jumped 17 feet in the Long Jump this season and was a state qualifier on the 4x100 last Spring. Sophomore hurdler and sprinter Lauren Copeland was a part of our 4x200m Relay team that ran one of the State’s top times at the Mustang Relays."
St Ignatius edged out power Lincoln Way East 140-137. Although LWE was without star sprinter Aaliyah Brown, Luby knows it was a quality team win and is proud of her girls.
"It felt good to win such a competitive meet at Argo. I’m pleased with the progress that the team is making and we are focusing on May. We really emphasize the development of all athletes on the team, which adds to our depth. We emphasize that we are a whole team that supports one another and challenges eachother to give best efforts every day."
On their route to state, St. Ignatius Prep have certain benchmark meets they are looking forward to including the indoor and outdoor GCAC (Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Meets). The Lady Wolfpack have won five of the last seven outdoor conference championships. If the success continues, and COach Luby's squad can stay healthy their is no reason they won't make it six out of eight.
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