Downers Grove North junior Ava Gilley, who ran on the second-place 4x800 relay at state and took ninth in the 800-meter run, is the Suburban Life girls track and field Athlete of the Year.

St. Francis used a strong final leg from freshman Erin Hinsdale to win the Class 2A 4x800 relay in a record time and Downers Grove North took second in the Class 3A 4x800 relay, leading area medalists at the IHSA state track and field meet in Charleston.

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The IHSA held their Class 1, 2 and 3A finals in girls track and field Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. View our photos here.

St. Francis’ 4x800 relay team of Allie Sheldon, Elena Mamminga, Margaret Andrzejewski and Erin Hinsdale ran the fastest time of 9:28.31 in Friday’s Class 2A preliminaries, leading area qualifiers into Saturday’s state finals at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Hinsdale South senior Amerie “Mimi” Flowers had a memorable state ride during girls basketball with the Class 3A fourth-place finisher. Now she's headed to her first state track meet with a lifetime best shot put at sectionals. That, and much more in Bill Stone's track notebook.

Romeoville's Tania Miller and Lincoln-Way East's Kyra Hayden both qualified for state in four events at the Class 3A Lockport Sectional, with the Griffins qualifying in 11 of 18 events and taking second to Homewood-Flossmoor in the team race.

Led by Wisconsin recruit Liz Phillips, who swept the two distance races, Naperville Central edged Downers Grove North to take the team title at the Class 3A Downers Grove North Sectional. Among other state qualifiers, Yorkville's Courtney Clabough swept the throwing events.

York's girls track and field team separated itself from most of the pack early on and defeated Oak Park-River Forest for the Class 3A Lake Park Sectional title Friday, while sending multiple individuals and relays to state.

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Here are Gary Duncan's photos from Friday's Class 3A Downers Grove North Sectional girls track and field meet.