When the starter called ready just before the beginning of the 100-meter high hurdles at the Class 2A Glenbard South Sectional, the eight girls competitors got into position.
However, there was something very different about one of the racers, Ridgewood freshman Victoria Ignacik. While the seven other hurdlers settled into their blocks, Ignacik got into a standing position on Friday, May 15, in Glen Ellyn.
Despite forgoing blocks, Ignacik got out to a quick start and finished second in a time of 17.06 seconds. Her top-two finish earned her an automatic berth in the Class 2A track and field state meet this weekend at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium in Charleston. The Class 2A prelims take place Friday, May 22.
“I started the season not using blocks and I tried using them in one race and fell,” Ignacik said. “It just didn’t work out for me so I never used them again. I feel way better not using blocks but I should probably start using them.”
A trip to state is not the only reward for her strong race. Ignacik now owns the school record. The previous record of 17.14 was set by Becky Ayers in 1989.
It would have been understandable if Ignacik was anxious competing in the biggest meet of her life, but that wasn’t the case.
“I wasn’t that nervous because even if I didn’t qualify I would be proud of myself,” Ignacik said. “I just started hurdling this year so I wouldn’t have been mad if I didn’t make it.”
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Trinity’s Sierra Brown finished first in 16.35.
Ignacik, who also plays volleyball for the Rebels, said she didn’t even know hurdles races existed before she joined the team for indoor season at the beginning of the year.
She started the indoor season as a sprinter and long jumper but decided to try hurdles one day in practice. She said she picked it up quickly and started finishing in the top three at races.
The big jump came about a month ago when she got her three-step down, which means she takes only three steps in between each hurdle and can jump over each hurdle with the same leading leg.
While getting the three-step down was the key to Ignacik advancing to state, Ridgewood’s coaches have been amazed with Ignacik’s athletic ability since the first indoor meet, which was just two weeks after the team started training.
“[The coaches] saw her do her first jump and she just killed it,” Rebels assistant coach Ann Kaminski said. “I was like, ‘Holy cow.’ She was fabulous and after that she was very confident and kept going to where she is now.”
Ignacik will be Ridgewood’s only qualifier at O’Brien Stadium, a 10,000-seat facility that will be packed with fans watching the best runners in Illinois.
She’s thrilled to get the opportunity.
“I wasn’t nervous this meet and I’m really excited to go,” Ignacik said. “I don’t think I’ll be nervous. We’ll see.”
Notes
* Ridgewood took 10th as a team out of 10 schools with 10 points. Glenbard South won the sectional, scoring 122.
* The Rebels’ 4×100 relay team of Julie Guler, Teresa Nuccio, Georgia Velkov and Ignacik was the only other Ridgewood entry to score points at the sectional. They finished fifth in a time of 53.15 to earn two points.
Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @chicagolandprep