Girls Track and Field: Katelynne Hart runs fastest indoor 1,600 in U.S., Glenbard West takes Silver title

ELMHURST – Glenbard West junior Katelynne Hart gladly put another great track race second-stage to her great team at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Indoor Meet on March 16 at York High School.

Hart posted the fastest U.S. high school 1,600-meter run this indoor season, a 4:44.42 – also the all-time fastest indoors for Illinois – yet instead focused on celebration photos after the Hilltoppers won for the second time in the meet’s 32-year history to climax their best indoor season.

“Individually, it’s amazing to accomplish some of the things that I have, but nothing will ever compare to a relay or the team as a whole winning something,” said Hart, who also anchored winning 3,200 and 1,600 relays with 2:11.4 and 59.8 splits. “It was amazing to win, but just seeing our teammates shouting and cheering during (the 1,600 relay), that’s honestly the best part.”

Hart ran Illinois’ fastest outdoor 1,600, a 4:43.07, at last season’s home Pariseau Invitational.

Her 1,600 effort March 16 broke her 4:56.62 and 4:48.46 meet and field house records from 2017.

“I was going to kind of see how I felt,” Hart said. “I went out pretty fast (1:07.6 first lap) and then decided, ‘Well, if I went out fast, I might as well try to make the best of it.’ ”

The Hilltoppers (128 points) defeated defending champion Lyons (105). Oak Park-River Forest was third (77), followed by Downers Grove North (68.5), Hinsdale Central (62) and York (29.5).

“They were amazing,” said Glenbard West coach Kelly Hass, whose team first won in 2011. “The best part was they weren’t doing it for themselves. They were doing it for each other.”

Senior Huda Hussaini became Glenbard West’s first indoor 200 champ (26.43) and second 55 champion (7.44). Junior Aaliyah Collier won the 400 (1:00.31) and 300 (42.37) after not competing in 2018. Senior Katie Hohe (3,200 in 11:11.13) and freshman Audrey Allman (800 in 2:18.41) also captured titles.

Allman, junior Haley Yeager and senior Ella Roach joined Hart on the 3,200 relay (9:24.63). Collier, sophomore Kate Morrison, junior Ava Powell and Hart were on the 1,600 relay (4:07.94).

“It’s always been a fifth or fourth or even third, but today honestly just shocked me,” Hussaini said. “I just love this team so much and to be a part of something bigger than myself, it’s just amazing.”

DuKane Conference

Wheaton Warrenville South took third and Wheaton North was sixth at the DuKane Conference meet March 16.

Wheaton North junior sprinter Leeya Zander won the 200 in 26.57.

Wheaton Warrenville South sophomore Sam Poglitsch took second in the 1,600 after earlier taking the top prize in the 800 with a time of 2:22.75.