September 30, 2024
Sports

High school girls track and field: Running wild pays off for Downers Grove North

DGN wins own invite for first time since 1993

By BILL STONE
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Faith LaMantia of Downers Grove North runs the 100-meter dash April 13 during the Bruce Ritter invite at DGN. LaMantia earned two individual medals and was part of two strong relay finishes as the Trojans won the invite for the first time since 1993. (David Toney)

DOWNERS GROVE – Faith LaMantia enjoys her daily reminder of the Downers Grove North girls track and field team’s success.

The Trojans’ school display case features plaques for the 2016 West Suburban Silver outdoor title and the 2017 indoor championship.

“I walk by it every morning,” the DGN senior said. “I’m like, ‘That’s so cool. It’s amazing. It’s great.’”

The Trojans added another title to the collection April 13. They dominated their own 16-team Bruce Ritter Invitational with 103.5 points, winning by 23.5 points over Glenbard West to place first in the Ritter Invite for the first time since 1993.

LaMantia, sophomore Kim Brent, junior Keside Olekanma and freshman Celeste Bonga won the 4x100-meter relay in a school-record 49.63 and took the 4x200 relay title in 1:45.40.

Taking second were senior Emma Moravec in the 800 run (2:16.33) – she’s a two-time all-stater in the event – and the 4x400 relay of senior Gina Kowalewicz, Moravec and juniors Isabel Maletich and Rachel Sprague (4:05.13).

The winning frosh-soph 4x400 relay of Victoria Miller, Brooke Peters, Ellie Gross and Brent ran a 4:10.07, breaking the school record at that level.

“It’s pretty amazing. It’s really been kind of a crazy ride this season, winning indoor conference and to win this meet as well,” Moravec said.

“I was just thinking [in the 4x400 relay], ‘This is my last lap at the Ritter Invite.’ It’s pretty crazy that it’s all going to be coming to an end in a month.”

A two-time all-stater in triple jump, Maletich was third in that event (36 feet, 7.25 inches) and long jump (17-7.5), and LaMantia was third in the 200 dash (26.08) and fourth in the 100 dash (12.73).

Other top-seven, point-earning finishes came from juniors Naomi Boyd (shot put and discus), PJ Bonga (long jump and triple jump) and Lillian Janowicz (shot put), and sophomore Sarah Rogoz (high jump).

“They were outstanding at indoor conference, and I think they were even sharper today,” Downers North coach Matt Maletich said. “We very rarely have a chance to win this meet. We put together the lineup we think can do the best possible, but they were the reason. They were convincing in everything that they did.”

Moravec, who will compete at Marquette, was fourth in the 800 at last year’s Class 3A state meet (2:13.78) after being second in 2015 (school-record 2:12.22).

“I’d love to do great things, place well at the state meet,” Moravec said. “If I better my [2:12.22], then I’m going to be really happy,”

LaMantia, who has committed to Bradley, was part of the state-qualifying 4x200 relay in 2015. She missed making state last season when four-time defending state champion Lincoln-Way East joined the sectional field and ate up 2016 state spots.

“[Not qualifying] really motivated me. It stunk, obviously, but I took some time and I was like, ‘That’s not going to stop me,’” LaMantia said. “I think I am working a lot harder and improving. It is a good season so far for me.”