BELLEVILLE - The competition at the season's first outdoor track meet brought out the best in Monticello senior Becky Nelson.
Nelson won the 100-meter dash in 14.3 seconds and finished first in the long jump (14 feet, 6 1/2 inches) at the five-team meet hosted by Sugar River.
"It really felt great, but I was super nervous," Nelson said of winning the 100. "I was hoping to get in the top three. I'm hoping that I can improve and at least drop down to 13."
Oregon edged Sugar River 134-127 for the title, while Pecatonica-Argyle (51), Monticello (38) and Albany (6) rounded out the field.
"It's great to have Oregon here for the competition," Sugar River coach Dan Schettler said. "That is what makes you better. I won't lose any sleep (because we didn't) win it. I just want to get some times and marks on kids so they can see how they compare to other teams."
The Panthers won 10 of the 18 events and dominated the distance races. Oregon's Mackenzie Wilkinson outdistanced Pecatonica-Argyle senior Kendra Sigg to win the 800 and 1,600. Wilkinson and Sigg were about even heading into the final 400 of the mile before Wilkinson pulled away to win in 5:43.66, about one second ahead of Sigg.
Sigg had a lot on her mind going down the stretch.
"I worked too hard to get beat. It comes down to the end. Whatever happens, happens. I just have to work harder next time," she said.
Sigg, a state qualifier in the 1,600 the last two years, said she is comparing her times early this season to those she ran early last year.
"If they are better, then I'm closer to state," Sigg said. "That is my ultimate goal."
Sugar River junior Emily Diaz won the 100 hurdles (17.99) and teammate Savanna Atkins was second (18.72). Sugar River senior Victoria Ortgiesen won the 300 hurdles (51.99).
Diaz said the 100 hurdles is her favorite event.
"I like the toughness of it," Diaz said. "You have to have the technique and the speed down. It's such a fast race."
Sugar River's Samantha Stecha won the triple jump (30-0 1/2) and Nelson took second (28-9 1/4). Sugar River took the top two spots in the discus, Madeline Knox winning (86-2) and Jamie Brown finishing second (80-7). Pec-Argyle took the top spots in the shot put, with Kacey Schoepp posting a 29-5 and Cassidy Stiner a 25-11.
The Raiders' 400 relay team of Melissa Downs, Ariel Fried, Harley Hollis and Sabrina Popenfus finished second in :57.69. Ortgiesen teamed with Madeline Brunner, Emily DeNure and Diaz to take second in the 1,600 relay with a time of 4:27.74. Brunner teamed with Amanda Kaiser, Katie Schmitz and Susanna Rupp to take second in the 3,200 relay (11:06.63). Sugar River's Amber Hofmaster was second in the pole vault (6-0).
The Pecatonica-Argyle 800 relay team of Emma Marion, Hannah Swenson, Abby Flanagan and Amanda Williams was second in 2:03.31.
Brunner finished second in the 400 (1:02.99), less than a second behind Oregon's Jamie Woods. Rupp was second in the 3,200 (14:08.47) and Popenfus was second in the high jump (4-8).
Diaz has high expectations this year.
"We have a lot of girls back and we have some really good freshmen coming in," she said. "We will have a really good team."
Nelson won the 100-meter dash in 14.3 seconds and finished first in the long jump (14 feet, 6 1/2 inches) at the five-team meet hosted by Sugar River.
"It really felt great, but I was super nervous," Nelson said of winning the 100. "I was hoping to get in the top three. I'm hoping that I can improve and at least drop down to 13."
Oregon edged Sugar River 134-127 for the title, while Pecatonica-Argyle (51), Monticello (38) and Albany (6) rounded out the field.
"It's great to have Oregon here for the competition," Sugar River coach Dan Schettler said. "That is what makes you better. I won't lose any sleep (because we didn't) win it. I just want to get some times and marks on kids so they can see how they compare to other teams."
The Panthers won 10 of the 18 events and dominated the distance races. Oregon's Mackenzie Wilkinson outdistanced Pecatonica-Argyle senior Kendra Sigg to win the 800 and 1,600. Wilkinson and Sigg were about even heading into the final 400 of the mile before Wilkinson pulled away to win in 5:43.66, about one second ahead of Sigg.
Sigg had a lot on her mind going down the stretch.
"I worked too hard to get beat. It comes down to the end. Whatever happens, happens. I just have to work harder next time," she said.
Sigg, a state qualifier in the 1,600 the last two years, said she is comparing her times early this season to those she ran early last year.
"If they are better, then I'm closer to state," Sigg said. "That is my ultimate goal."
Sugar River junior Emily Diaz won the 100 hurdles (17.99) and teammate Savanna Atkins was second (18.72). Sugar River senior Victoria Ortgiesen won the 300 hurdles (51.99).
Diaz said the 100 hurdles is her favorite event.
"I like the toughness of it," Diaz said. "You have to have the technique and the speed down. It's such a fast race."
Sugar River's Samantha Stecha won the triple jump (30-0 1/2) and Nelson took second (28-9 1/4). Sugar River took the top two spots in the discus, Madeline Knox winning (86-2) and Jamie Brown finishing second (80-7). Pec-Argyle took the top spots in the shot put, with Kacey Schoepp posting a 29-5 and Cassidy Stiner a 25-11.
The Raiders' 400 relay team of Melissa Downs, Ariel Fried, Harley Hollis and Sabrina Popenfus finished second in :57.69. Ortgiesen teamed with Madeline Brunner, Emily DeNure and Diaz to take second in the 1,600 relay with a time of 4:27.74. Brunner teamed with Amanda Kaiser, Katie Schmitz and Susanna Rupp to take second in the 3,200 relay (11:06.63). Sugar River's Amber Hofmaster was second in the pole vault (6-0).
The Pecatonica-Argyle 800 relay team of Emma Marion, Hannah Swenson, Abby Flanagan and Amanda Williams was second in 2:03.31.
Brunner finished second in the 400 (1:02.99), less than a second behind Oregon's Jamie Woods. Rupp was second in the 3,200 (14:08.47) and Popenfus was second in the high jump (4-8).
Diaz has high expectations this year.
"We have a lot of girls back and we have some really good freshmen coming in," she said. "We will have a really good team."
