Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jacqueline Bassey readily admitted she didn’t have much left in the tank after her final race at Thursday’s SouthWest Suburban Blue Meet.
But what the senior did have in reserve was just enough to edge out a win in the 200 meters in 25.41 seconds. That first place, combined with an earlier victory in the 100 (12.55) and playing a part in the victorious 400 and 800 relays, gave Bassey four wins.
“I was just so tired,” Bassey said. “I knew I was going to be tired, but I just had to concentrate on doing my best regardless of what was going on around me. I had to stay relaxed.”
H-F’s standout 400 and 800 relays also seemed relaxed in breezing to victory in both events.
The 400 relay clocked a 47.29 and finished more than two seconds ahead of the field while recording the fastest time in the state. The 800 relay’s time of 1:43.62 won by nearly five seconds and ranks sixth in the state.
Despite not being pushed in either relay victory, Bassey is well aware that’s not going to be the case in future meets.
“We don’t look at where we are seeded because we know anything can happen on the track,” Bassey said. “Since we’re No. 1 in the state, we’re getting targeted by other teams.
“We have to protect our reputation. I enjoy being looked at as the top competition. It just pushes us to be better.”
Anchored by the strong efforts on the track, H-F captured the team title with 181 points, 36.5 ahead of runner-up Bolingbrook. Lincoln-Way East took third with 130.5.
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And while H-F coach Zontavius Johnson certainly appreciated winning the conference title, the potential prizes down the line still loom much larger.
“We had a team that we thought would be able to win a conference championship, but (Thursday) was about staying healthy and getting ready for sectionals,” Johnson said. “We got out of this meet healthy, so in that regard the mission was accomplished.”
Even with some blistering performances on the track, Johnson realizes his team still must progress in order to collect its ultimate goal of a state championship.
The Vikings placed second last year to Glenbard West in the Class 3A state finals.
“We are looking forward to a chance at redeeming ourselves,” Johnson said. “We are chomping at the bit.”
H-F also received winning efforts from the 1,600 relay (4:04.56), Ashanti Denton in the 400 (57.83) and Kaylah McCall in the 100 hurdles (14.52).
In the field events, the Vikings piled up firsts from Madison Myrick in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), Olivia Oliver in the long jump (17-7.5), Trinity Daniels in the triple jump (37-7.5), Tiara Simms in the shot put (35-0) and Orianna Williams in the discus (129-0).
All told, H-F placed first in 12 of 18 events.
Stagg broke up H-F’s attempt to sweep the relays with a solid victory in the 3,200 (10:30.1). Lockport’s championships came courtesy of Kate Wojcikiewicz in the 800 (2:21.09) and Kathleen Kwiatkowski in the pole vault (10-9).
Lincoln-Way East’s Jenna Couwenhoven won the 3,200 in 11:57.15.
Steve Soucie is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.