Wheaton Warrenville South Girls Relay Team Takes Second at State Meet

CHARLESTON—The Wheaton Warrenville South of Amy Yong, Mikayla Kightlinger, McKenna Kipple and Hope Schmelzle established a new school record during second-day action of the Class 3A state girls track and field championships at Eastern Illinois University.

Unfortunately for the Tigers' foursome, though, Downers Grove North eclipsed the unit by a second and a half to win the title.

The runner-up performance by the unit, timed in 9 minutes, 11.27, was the first second-place state finish in a relay since the 2001 relay of the same distance.

Emily Schwartz and Kasey Gassensmith secured solid placements in the pole vault and high jump, respectively, to help Wheaton Warrenville South to a 15th place team finish with 18 points.

St. Francis' Katy Garcia was third in the high jump in Class 2A, authoring a new school record of 5-feet-5; the senior also placed in the 300 hurdles.

Kelly O'Connor had the final local all-state performance; the Wheaton North junior was ninth in the Class 3A long jump.