Mundelein sophomore Khari Thompkins soaked in the moment while being engulfed by a sea of teammates and well-wishers.
Thompkins had just sped past the field in the 400-meter race at the Class 3A Grayslake North Sectional on May 11, breaking a school record that had stood for nearly 40 years. The sprinter clocked a first-place time of 57.11 seconds to advance to Friday’s 3A state track meet in Charleston.
“I knew as long as I stayed close to them that I would finish strong,” Thompkins said of the 400. “I knew that if I kept staying in my lane that I would be able to pass them.”
Earlier in the meet, Thompkins already had secured her first trip to state by placing third in the 100 with a personal-record time of 12.48. She fell short of advancing in the 200 (26.12).
Thompkins said her goal was to stay healthy for the season’s stretch run after dealing with a knee injury late in her freshman year. At the North Suburban Conference meet on May 4, Thompkins swept the three sprint events to set up the possibility of a big showing at sectionals.
Mundelein, which finished seventh in the sectional with 42 points, did not have any other competitor qualify for state. Mundelein coach Kurt Rutz called Thompkins’ performance a stunning achievement for a competitor so young and inexperienced in big meets.
“She had a great time in the 400,” Rutz said. “I expected her to get down (to state) in all three (events) because she’s been so consistent and tough. The 400 is her best event. She has a really good race model and follows it. She’s so strong and tough.
“We first found out she could run the 400 last year. You could see the potential, and she was just scratching the surface.”
Libertyville’s Johnson secures state 3-peat
Libertyville junior Avryl Johnson took an alternate route to the finish line May 11 at Grayslake North.
She limped to the closest cheering spot on the football field inside the track and did not participate in the 400 at sectionals.
Johnson was a last-minute scratch after deciding not to test her injured right ankle, but she’ll still make her way to Charleston.
Earlier in the meet, she placed third in the 800 (2:18.78) to qualify for state for the third year in a row in the event. She placed seventh in the 800 at state last spring and did not advance past the preliminary round as a freshman.
“My ankle is hurting right now, so I decided to scratch (the 400) so I would be good for state (in the 800),” Johnson said. “I just want to have a good training week because after the (Lake County) meet (May 4), I didn’t practice for that whole week. I want to have good practices, feel confident at state because I’m so excited to go again.
“My freshman and sophomore years at state, people didn’t really know who I was. Last year at state, I did well, especially as a sophomore. There’s more pressure, but I’m a year older and can handle it.”
The Wildcats received a strong showing from distance runner Melissa Manetsch to place eighth as a team at sectionals with 40 points. Manetsch, who won the 1,600 and 3,200 at the NSC meet, placed second in both distance events at sectionals.
Manetsch finished the 3,200 in 10:51.01 and the 1,600 in 5:08.68 to cement a trip to state in two events.
“I think just gaining confidence and getting stronger was my goal (at sectionals),” Manetsch said. “I just want to do my best at state. In the past, I’ve been really goal-oriented and feel I can do better if I just focus on running my fastest.”
Patriots enjoy ‘great experience’
Sitting in a circle 30 feet wide following the completion of the sectionals, the Stevenson girls track team and coaches were the last of the 15 teams to exit the stadium. Although the Patriots did not qualify an individual or relay for state, they enjoyed spending some extra time hanging out at their final meet together.
The Patriots placed 13th with 17 points.
“Our kids showed up and competed, and every single one of our relays had personal records and placed,” Stevenson coach Emma Degen said.
Seniors Juhi Jhaveri and Abigail Pucek said the team’s strong bond was evident throughout the season. Pucek ran in the 800 and 4×800 relay.
“I’m pretty happy overall,” Pucek said. “Everybody gave it their all, and it was a good way to end the season. It’s hard to walk away from a great four years.”
Coming off a solid effort at the conference meet, Jhaveri set a personal record with a sixth-place finish in the 100 (13.00) and ran a leg of the 4×200 and 4×400 relays.
“I was really happy with how everybody did,” Jhaveri said. “It was a good way to end it. We are not going to state, but we’re walking away with personal records and great performances. It was still a great experience.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
