By Sasha Semanision

Last Friday, May 10th, the Batavia girls track team competed in the Roselle (Lake Park) sectional track meet. Batavia got 3rd place, with 70 total points, which were scored in several events. This was a very competitive meet and included multiple highly ranked teams, including York, Oak Park and Metea Valley. York got 1st place with 124 points, Oak Park got 2nd place with 83 points and Metea Valley got 4th place with 69 points.

Batavia qualified 6 events to continue to state: the 100m, 3200m, 4X100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay, 4×800 relay and triple jump. Notably, both triple jumpers qualified, getting 4th and 6th place, but meeting the state qualifying 11.04 meters. This goes to show how competitive this sectional was.

To qualify for the state meet, a competitor, individual or relay team, has to get first or second place in an event or meet the state qualifying standard. There were several events that more than the top 2 competitors qualified in, including relays. Batavia’s relay teams all qualified. Batavia’s 4×200 team won, also setting a school record. The team ran a 1:41.22; the state qualifying time was 1:45.8. The 4×100 team got 2nd place and also beat the state qualifying time of 0:49.34, running a 0:48.03. The 4×400 relay got 2nd place and met the qualifying time of 4:05.5, running a 3:58.45. The 4×800 also met the state qualifying time of 9:43.6, running a 9:37.49, placing 4th. 

In addition to the fierce competition, athletes had to work with the changed schedule. Because of the weather, the meet was rescheduled from Thursday to Friday. Despite all of the challenges, many athletes had great performances, including many from Batavia. All of the athletes who qualified are prepared to compete at the state meet this Thursday.