Ayers ‘gave blood’ for PR

James Davis Huntley (center) runs to victory in the 100-meter dash during the 79th Palatine Relays on Saturday at Palatine High School. ((Hollyn Johnson – hjohnson@nwherald.com))

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PALATINE – Prairie Ridge junior Jessica Ayers wore the scrapes on both knees, both elbows and right hip – commonly referred to by runners as road rash – like badges of honor.

Fortunately for Ayers, her effort was not in vain. She had caught Conant’s Angela Herrmann and edged her at the finish line in the 100-meter dash, just before wiping out. So along with her raw skin, Ayers also would receive a first-place medal.

“It wouldn’t be quite as exciting [to fall and get second],” Ayers said. “I gained a step on [Herrmann], and I wanted to finish strong. I didn’t know if I’d won. I took a step past the finish line and I leaned too far.”

Ayers also took third in the 400 meters and anchored the Wolves’ sixth-place 4x400 relay team as Prairie Ridge finished fourth out of 14 teams in the 79th Palatine Relays on Saturday at Chic Anderson Stadium. Ayers’ time of 12.2 seconds in the 100 was one of her best and just ahead of Herrmann’s 12.3.

The Wolves’ Sam Nirva, Amanda Weber and Brooke Basler won the long jump relay at a combined total of 48 feet, 6 inches.

Palatine won the meet with 131 points, followed by Fremd and Barrington, both with 83, then Prairie Ridge (60) and Huntley (54). Woodstock did not run as a team, but Blue Streaks distance standout Kayla Beattie ran unattached and broke the 26-year-old record of Wheeling’s Dana Miroballi in the 3,200. Beattie ran a 10:32 to wipe out Miroballi’s 10:42.4, set in 1985.

Beattie ran the 1,600 at the Woodstock Invitational on Friday, without running the 3,200 first, and broke that meet record with a 4:48.97, which is the second-fastest 1,600 in state history according to ihsa.org.

In the boys meet at Palatine, Huntley took fifth with 52 points and Prairie Ridge was sixth with 41, out of 16 teams. Huntley’s James Davis won the 100 and Terrick Lewis, Devan Kennedy and David Cieck won the discus relay.

“The 400 was really good,” Ayers said. “It was more at the beginning of this meet, so that was nice because I was fresh. This year I’ve taken up the 400 more. I like it. It’s a hard race, but after you finish, you feel like you really accomplished something.”

Prairie Ridge girls coach Bob Boldwyn marveled at Ayers’ performance, which included her season-best 400 time (59.6).

“She’s a phenomenal athlete. That [100 finish] is a testament to her focus,” Boldwyn said. “She caught [Herrmann] in the last 6 meters and, literally, gave blood for the team. She has great drive and work ethic. We’re blessed to have her.”

Prairie Ridge also grabbed second-place finishes in the triple jump relay, high hurdle shuttle and discus relay.

Huntley sophomore Antonia Moore ran on two winning relay teams to help the Raiders to fifth place. Moore, Amanda Zbilski, Tina Driscoll and Ali Cazel won the freshman-sophomore 1,600 medley relay. Marilyn McDougall, Abbey Shaw, Taylor Schau and Moore won the 4x400 relay.

Davis won the boys 100 in a time of 10.9, ahead of Belleville East’s Adoreé Jackson at 11.0. Davis led most of the race and had a step on Jackson at the finish.

“Out of the blocks, I didn’t have the lead,” said Davis, a junior. “I was behind a little and I couldn’t let [Jackson] stay ahead. It means a lot to come here and win against this competition.”

Huntley took seconds in the freshman-sophomore 800 medley relay and high jump relay. Prairie Ridge’s Mitch Wilkins took second in the 800 and fourth in the 1,600, while the Wolves’ Marc DiVerde was second in the 3,200.

Jacobs’ top finisher was Joey Cieniewicz, who was third in the 800.