Chester takes four events; KV wins title

Updated: May 17, 2011 10:47PM

WHEATFIELD — Jordan Chester was somewhat nervous that should would be able to accomplish the feat.

It turned out such a feeling was unfounded.

The Boone Grove senior won the 800 meters (2:23.63); 1,600 (5:27.04); and 3,200 (12:15.20); and was part of the Wolves winning 3,200 relay (10.26.50) at the Kankakee Valley girls track sectional on Tuesday night.

“Pretty amazing,” said Chester, who seemed most pleased by the team’s performance in the relay victory. “I’ve never come out and run all four events I normally do.

“I was nervous, because there are so many good competitors, and you never know what you’re going to get in the postseason. I’m a little surprised, and happy it came out this way.”

Kankakee Valley won the sectional, its first title since 2008 after Winamac had won the last two. The Kougars had 135 points to outdistance the second-place Warriors with 89. Hebron placed third with 87 points.

“We’re thrilled to win the team title,” Kankakee Valley coach Lane Lewallen said.

“That was the key — not only scoring, but we had one or two regional qualifiers in each event. That’s where the points start adding up. The studs have to lead the way, but the depth makes it really nice. It really was a team effort.”

Chester won the 1,600 for the third straight season. She won the 3,200 for the second time, after she also took the race as a freshman and narrowly had placed second the last two seasons to the graduated Courtney Bennett of Kouts.

“It was kind of bittersweet,” said Chester, who plans to run the 800, mile and 3,200 relay in regionals — the top four in each event qualified for the Chesterton Regional on May 24 — and drop the two-mile. “I haven’t been able to come out and perform my best in the past. I’m just glad to have a great send-off as a senior.”

Kankakee Valley freshman Leanna Mulloy won the 100 (13.64) and 200 (27.45), and helped the Kougars win the 1,600 relay (4:12.95).

“She is one of a kind,” Lewallen said. “She loves the competition. ... She really led us — she’s led us all year.”

Rensselaer sophomore Chelsie Meeks repeated in the discus (125-0), and Hebron senior Paige Hickenbottom repeated in the 400 (1:02.36).

Winamac senior Rachael Franko won the 100 hurdles (16.69), 300 hurdles (48.99) and long jump (16-7), repeating as the champion in all three events.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.