Beattie nears state record

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BELVIDERE – Kayla Beattie had a little extra to deal with at the IHSA Class 2A Belvidere North Sectional Girls Track and Field Meet.

The Woodstock senior was running without her freshman sister Maura, who suffered dehydration in Tuesday’s 90-plus-degree heat and spent that night in the hospital. Maura was there to cheer on her sister, but was unable to compete.

Kayla Beattie still delivered a pair of big-time performances to win the 3,200- and 1,600-meter runs at Milt Brown Stadium. Beattie’s 10:06.15 crept closer to the fastest girls’ 3,200 time in state history, from Peoria Bergen’s Suzie Tuffey (10:03) in 1984.

She ran a 4:49.08 in the 1,600, which also is the fastest time in Illinois this year and one of the best times in the nation.

Belvidere North took the team title with 132 points, followed by Vernon Hills (84) and Crystal Lake Central (81). Central had a big night, qualifying 10 entries for the IHSA Girls Track and Field State Meet next Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium in Charleston.

Beattie was asked for autographs after the race and, after her cooldown run, got on Woodstock’s bus, not wishing to comment at that time. Blue Streaks coach Steve Erwin said she was a little overwhelmed with everything.

“She ran faster than both her times last week [at the Fox Valley Conference Meet],” Erwin said. “She’s bringing it down to the last weekend and wants to do the best she can do. The 3,200 is her preferred race. I know she’d like to get the state record [10:03] and break 10 minutes.”

The girls’ father, Dave Beattie, said they could not let Maura, who has the third-fastest 3,200 time in the state, run after her health scare Tuesday.

“She still has three more years,” Dave Beattie said. “It was a warning sign she wasn’t fueled properly.”

Central junior Katie Idstein took part in four first-place finishes for the Tigers. Idstein edged freshman teammate Celeste Madda in the 100 and 200, and they both were parts of winning 4x100 and 4x200 relays. In the 4x100, it was Idstein, Jamie Otlewis, Dori Keppler and Madda. In the 4x200, it was Idstein, Grace Roth, Claire Walker and Madda.

“That was very exciting,” Idstein said. “The adrenaline here was crazy. We’ve been having morning practices, working on handoffs, and it paid off. I’m really proud of our girls.”

Tigers senior Rachel Bush also qualified in the 3,200 and 1,600. Claire Dalman (pole vault) and Kelly McNeely (3,200) also made it to state.

Richmond-Burton’s Kim Russell, Jordan Eisenberg, April Wanagas and Kara Russell qualified with a school-record 9:49.54. Kara Russell then came back and made it in the 800. The Rockets’ Talia Sheedlo (100 high hurdles) and Elizabeth Kaht (pole vault) also qualified.

“I feel really accomplished,” Kara Russell said. “It was down to the last second when I almost pulled out of the 800. I didn’t feel great after the 4x800. I just tried to do my best [in the 800] and I ran a [personal record].”

Woodstock’s Gabby Schmidt (300 low hurdles), Woodstock North’s Cari Sobey (1,600) and Christina Bravos (discus) also qualified for the state meet.