Girls Track Sectional: Central Speeds Toward State

Lorie Lewis has been the girls track and field coach at Brookfield Central long enough to know a good team when she sees one.

At the start of this season, thanks largely to a number of newcomers to the program, this was tabbed a “rebuilding year” for the Lancers.

After Thursday’s results at the Waukesha North Sectional, it’s safe to say Central rebuilt awfully fast.

“I’ve been head track coach for over 20 years,” Lewis said. “There has just been so much success. In that time, there are so many good athletes that come through Central. This truly was one of the most fun (years) though.

“This was outstanding. The kids just came on and it was so much fun.”

Lewis and the Lancers were the talk of the track on Thursday as Central qualified for the state finals in a whopping 12 different events, including two where they doubled up on entrants.

As expected, senior standout Chidera Obasih continued to shave time off her runs while recovering from an injury earlier this season by qualifying in three events.

She took first in the 400 meter and third in the 100- and 200-meter runs.

But it wasn’t all Obasih. Classmate Kara Krugel also qualified in three events, finishing in the top three in the high, long, and triple jumps.

Ten other girls made up the remaining six events in which Central earned the right to compete in La Crosse.

“People think it’s all about Chidera,” Lewis said. “While she is amazing, you can’t win track without a team. You can’t.

“It was very exciting. We get to take a huge group up (to the state finals) and finish off what has been a surprising (and) amazing season. We’re very excited about it.”

Also in the sectional, Hamilton’s relays continue to turn heads.

Ashley Holicek, Jess Rupnow, Brooke Patterson, and Danielle Barbian ran away with the 800 relay, finishing in 1 minute, 42.93 seconds; nearly a full four seconds ahead of second-place Wauwatosa East.

Sophomore Toney Lock took Rupnow’s spot in the 400 relay as the Chargers finished second overall with a time of 49.55 seconds. Patterson and Rupnow then teamed up again with freshman Ashlyn Paulson and senior Kelsey Dittrich in the 1,600 to once again win handily, posting a time of 3:57.26 (Brookfield East finished second at 4:05.44). Shannon Burke finished second in the pole vault and also qualified for the Chargers.

Brookfield East finished the day with one other state qualifier as senior Katie Tolan continued to dominate the 800 meter, finishing on Thursday with a time of 2 minutes, 16.65 seconds.

Wauwatosa East's only state qualifier is that 800 relay team, while Wauwatosa West's Shannon Wilson won the long jump.

State finals are scheduled to take place in La Crosse on Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4.