1A/2A Girls Track: Dwight's Galloway caps career with second in 3,200, third in 1,600

CHARLESTON – The end for some seniors and bright new faces dominated Joliet-area placers at the Girls State Track and Field finals in Class 1A and 2A on Saturday at O’Brien Field.

Daly Galloway of Dwight finished second in the 3,200-meter run in 1A at 10 minutes, 58.11 seconds and was third in the 1,600 (5:10.62). Galloway has had to play second fiddle to one of the state’s all-time great distance runners, Anna Sophia Keller from Effingham St. Anthony, in both track and cross country.

“I knew the competition was going to be very good this weekend,” Galloway said. “I used my kick in the 3,200 meters to get second and I challenged Anna in the 1,600 meters. She is great, she has motivated me all four years. Sure, I don’t have a title, but I know what I have done with great coaching and I’ve gotten to compete against one of the best ever all four years.”

Seneca finished second in the 4x400 relay with a school-record time of 4:05.20.

Seniors Cora Wilkinson, Eva Bruno and Emily Woods were joined by sophomore Grace Alley.

“It’s been a great four years of high school track,” Wilkinson said. “You go through changing teams and you just try and get better each year. My coaches have really helped me with my improvement and just getting to the state meet is an accomplishment, especially your senior year.”

“It was well worth all the work we have done to finish like this,” Bruno said. “I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this team.”

Seneca’s 4x800 relay of Natalie Carajohn, Sarah Virgo, Emily Misener and Carina Collet ran 10:16.27 and placed 10th.

“It felt good to get back here, make finals and compete after last year,” Misener said. “We are all happy and sad at the same time. We worked hard and this is a great way to go out.”

The Lady Irish also had a pair of 11th-place finishes as Wilkinson jumped 16 feet 11½ inches in the long jump and Alley jumped 35-4 in the triple jump.

The girls in the relay felt their performance was redemption after a bad season last year.

“It felt good to get back here, make finals and compete after last year,” Misener said. “We are all happy and sad at the same time.”

In Class 2A, a couple of freshmen led the way for the area and are excited for what the future holds after their first state-meet experience.

Jaden Christian from Reed-Custer placed fifth in the long jump (18-0.05) and sixth in the triple jump (37-2½).

“This was a very exciting and nervous weekend,” Christian said. “I learned a lot with this experience and expect to place better in the years to come. There is no way I expected any of this as a freshman. I’m very surprised with it all.”

Also making the podium was Samantha Spencer, a freshman pole vaulter, from Providence Catholic. She tied for seventh with a jump of 11-0.

“I can’t believe this entire season and placing at the state finals. It has been so fun and exciting,” Spencer said. “This season has taught me to stay calm and relaxed. Especially here, you have to treat it as another track meet. I just love the adrenaline rush you get and all the enthusiasm from the fans.”

The Celtics’ Stefannie Sestak, a junior, placed 12th in the pole vault with a jump of 10-0.