Girls track state champs receive rings
HUNTLEY — The Huntley High School girls track and field Class 3A state championship team was sent off to new athletic chapters in a big way.
Red Raiders were presented with rings Aug. 5 at Red Raider Stadium.
“Athletes and coaches, you accomplished something that will forever be a part of Huntley history,” head coach Jason Monson said. “You have represented our community in outstanding fashion, and we could not be more proud of you.”
The Red Raiders were led by State Champions Alexandria Johnson with her third long jump title; Dominique Johnson in the triple jump; Ally Panzloff in the discus throw. HHS edged Prospect for the state title at Eastern Illinois University May 20.
Alexandria Johnson, who won nine total medals at state in her HHS career, reports this week to Arizona State University, where she will compete in jumps. Also, Panzloff heads east to Brown University for volleyball while distance runners Breanna Burak (fifth in the 3,200 meters at state) will run cross country and track and field at Illinois State University and sister Breanna Burak will compete in cross country and track and field at Indiana State University, respectively.
“This was the first year that our team was working for something as substantial as a state, championship,” Johnson began. “This year it was vocalized by our coaches and identified early as our season’s number one goal. As a team we all reflected on that goal and let me just say there is something special about even getting to dream of achieving so huge that it changes the way you train on a daily basis. This year it wasn’t just trying to place in the top three. It wasn’t about just trying to do better than last year, or to lay down great individual performances.”
“We were working toward greatness, we wanted to win it all,” Johnson said. “You could see it in everyone, every level, every event. People stayed late, woke up early, studied, watched, and learned. They fought for what they wanted and were relentless in everything we did. You could see it in everyone’s desire to contribute to the win. It was truly amazing to be part of. Track is an individual sport that forces you to focus on yourself more often than not. But this year, whether you were running, jumping or throwing you were doing so for the team and that championship in May.”
She recalled some of the details of the IHSA State Track and Field Meet. This included nerves, hot weather, requirements for coaches places and that it is a “great equalizer because everyone is competing in the same conditions and on the same ground. It really reflects the organization, teamwork and preparation of the team, and Huntley lived up to that challenge. Every seed time or mark we had going into the meet we matched or exceeded. Every challenge brought to us during the meet was accepted as we reassessed and (we) executed the new plan and did so willingly with smiles on our faces,” Johnson said.
“After all, we learned to trust the process. The feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that came with getting what we came there for is unmatched. To know that the hard work and commitment you have seen and been a part of all year was being rewarded is not only you but the talented ladies and coaches beside you is enough to make you cry,” Johnson concluded.
In addition to her long jump crown, Alex Johnson made state in the 4×100 and 4×200 relays, which ended second and third place, respectively with sister Dominique, K’Leigh Saenz, Vicky Evtimov and Emmy Byers.Alex Johnson also qualified for state in the 100-yard dash.
Dominique Johnson, a sophomore, edged sister Alex for the triple jump title. She ended sixth in the long jump.
Panzloff participated at the State Meet for her second time. She threw the discus 159 feet, 10.5 inches at state, the fourth longest in IHSA history. She broke the 20-year-old HHS discus record this year.
Breanna Burak, meanwhile, made state for the third time in the 3,200-meter run. She has also qualified three times in the 1,600 meters and holds the school records for both.
Brittney Burak was 16th at state in the 3,200 meters and she has qualified for state twice in the 3,200 and once in the 1,600 meters.
