Windsor Roberts was all smiles after her big PV win
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Day three of the Meet of Champions ushered in the field events and that meant the pole vault would be an exciting affair. One such athlete entered in the girl's action is the great Windsor Roberts of Tri-Valley HS IL. Roberts has been one of the best vaulters in state history and she is an emerging athlete on the national scene...
Roberts passed on the first nine opening heights to enter at 11'11.75" where she cleared with ease. It would not be peaches and creme for Roberts who fell behind on misses during the next frame to Taylor Jarosinski of Center Grove IN. Jarosinski, who was the 2019 state runner-up, had just one miss at 12'5.50 (3.80)." Roberts had two misses and in jeopardy of bowing out. However, with the monkey off of her back, Roberts cleared the next two frames at 3.95 and 4.11. The 4.11 is 13'5.75" and IL all-time, taking the crown back from rival and graduated Sam Spencer of Providence Catholic fame. Roberts attempted 13'9.25"- rusty status prevented her from reaching a height that would put her US#4. Roberts will have one more year to add to her status in 2021.
The 3200m pitted Ava Parekh vs the field and she took things out in Parekh fashion- from the front and it appeared as though she was on cruise control. The rising junior from Chicago Latin had a five-second advantage over Josephine Welin of Oak Park-River HS in 5:10. Parekh held the advantage over the next three circuits to the final gun lap. Welin, IL#2 indoors, is sneaky and sneaky underrated. Welin crept on Parekh with 300 to go and made a strike like a cobra and it was over. The final verdict was a convincing win in a personal best 10:25.35. It was a time that should be taken very seriously with the cross country season looming.