Graham the key as Conant looks to score big in sprints

CHARLESTON, Ill. — Conant’s 400- and 800-meter relay teams are the fastest qualifiers heading into Friday’s Class AA girls state track preliminaries at O’Brien Stadium.

But don’t tell Conant coach Bob Borczak.

‘‘I’m trying not to think about it,’’ he said.

Part of what makes those relays so good is senior Toni Graham, who will run the anchor leg on both. Graham also qualified in the 100 and 200 dashes.

‘‘We got the fastest time [in the relays], and I’m really excited about that,’’ Graham said. ‘‘I just want to end with a bang. I had a good indoor season, and I’m going off of that.’’

In the two individual sprint events, Graham is looking for some payback.

In 2007, Graham barely finished second in the 100 behind East St. Louis’ Ronecia Nash, 11.94 seconds to 11.95. And she finished second to Nash again in the 200.

That was probably the best thing to happen.

‘‘My friends all give me a reminder that Nash is coming,’’ Graham said. ‘‘As soon as we finished the state meet, I was thinking what can I do better. Do I need to work on my starts? Do I need to work on my lean? Placing second was an awesome thing.’’

If both make Saturday’s finals, it’s probably going to be a Nash vs. Graham showdown. Nash, a senior, is the state’s top qualifier in the 100, with Graham’s time clocking in as the third-fastest. And it’s nearly the same in the 200, with Nash’s sectional time in the top spot and Graham’s fourth.

‘‘I know that when Toni was walking away from that photo finish [last year], that [race] got into her head,’’ Borczak said.

Borczak has known Graham since her freshman year. Physically, Graham has gotten a lot stronger.

‘‘She came in pretty good [as a freshman],’’ Borczak said. ‘‘She is very into the weight-training aspect of sprinting. Her focus has improved, and she’s developed into a nice leader.’’

The Alabama recruit never dreamed she’d have this kind of career four years ago.

‘‘Coaches always said I had potential,’’ Graham said. ‘‘I kept at it, and junior year I even surprised myself.’’

In Class A, St. Gregory junior Regina George qualified in four events: the high jump, 800, 400 and 200. George’s times in the 400 (58.84) and 200 (25.74) are the second-fastest.

Chicago Christian’s 3,200 relay is the third-quickest qualifier (10:00.92), and Knight senior Jodi Hoekstra (2:21.20) is the second fastest in the 800. Hoekstra is also a strong contender for a top-five finish in the 1,600 run.

TOP CLASS AA QUALIFIERS

Long jump: Diane Lindsey, Thornton, 18 feet, 6 inches

Pole vault: Jenna Wexter, Lincoln-Way Central, 12-0

High jump: Ellen Chapman, Glenbrook South; Monika Jakutyte, Neuqua Valley, 5-6

Shot put: Daniella Bunch, Mahomet-Seymour, 49-4

Triple jump: Alexandria Smith, Thornton, 39-7

Discus: Tori Zigler, Grant, 146-1

3,200-meter relay: Barrington, 9 minutes, 3.34 seconds

400 relay: Conant, 47.54

3,200: Lindsay Flanagan, Lake Park, 10:41.94

100 high hurdles: Natalie Tarter, Batavia, 13.74

100: Ronecia Nash, East St. Louis; Yolanda Suggs, Belleville West, 11.94

800: Ashley Verplank, Bloomington, 2:10.70

800 relay: Conant, 1:41.14

400: Nevada Morrison, Proviso East, 56.93

300 low hurdles: Shakeia Pinnick, Waubonsie Valley, 42.64

1,600: Verplank, Bloomington, 5:00.16

200: Nash, East St. Louis, 23.64

1,600 relay: Batavia, 3:56.24