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Senior duo leads Chesterton
Updated: May 15, 2012 10:12PM
CHESTERTON — Despite some cold and windy conditions, the Chesterton girls track team prevailed, winning its own track sectional on Tuesday with a score of 149.50.
The Trojans were led by the senior duo of Katie Behrendt and Stephanie Fisher, who each had first-place finishes in their respective events.
Behrendt took home the top spot in both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, while Fisher won the 300-meter hurdles.
Chesterton coach Steve Kearney was proud of his team, and credited the victory to a total team effort.
“This is the work of 35 girls on our roster, and all of our reserves who push the girls everyday at practice,” Kearney said. “The school did a great job organizing this event.
“That makes it easier for us to come out and compete when things are structured so well. We have a big coaching staff and all of our assistants were big, and did a great job preparing everyone.”
Folliwng the victory, the Trojans have their sights set on making it to the state finals at Indiana University.
“We’d like to get as many people to state as possible,” Kearney said. “When we’re at our best, we’ll be right there knocking on the door.”
On such a cold evening, it might seem records were unlikely to be broken. However, Wheeler senior Taylor Gilles bucked the odds.
In the preliminary round, Gilles ran a 14.83 in the 100-meter hurdles, breaking the previous sectional record by 0.07 seconds.
“I had strained a tendon in my foot and missed conference,” Gilles said.
“I used that as motivation for sectionals. I was very excited to compete.”
Along with Gilles’ memorable performance, Portage senior Kristy Evans also had an evening to remember.
Evans ran away with the 100-meter dash with a blistering time of 12.86 seconds. She was also a member of the Indians’ 4x100 relay team that took home first place.
“Those are my two favorite events,” Evans said. “I feel like I can go full out and give it my all. I love the end of the 4x100 when I can catch and pass the other people.”
Rounding out the top three in the team standings was Valparaiso, who finished second with 129.75, and Portage, who finished third with 125.50.
The regional will be next Tuesday, also at Chesterton.
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