Starks 2nd at State Championships

Richwoods Senior High Jumps 5' 6" for Silver Medal

CHARLESTON - Richwoods found out just how fast the state meet can be.

The Knights sent an area-best eight events entries, but only advanced senior Alex Starks (left) in the high jump.

"We gave some of our young pups some experience and with the exception of the 4x1 (botched hand-off), we ran real well," said Thole, whose 4x200 ran a season-best (1:45.58). "We'll see how focused Alex can be tomorrow. She's going to have to perform if she want to earn a medal here."

Starks, who came in the No. 1 seed after sectionals, was one of 14 jumpers to clear 5-foot-3. That number also includes Washington junior Tessa Barra.

"I was a little flat," Starks, who has battled the flu in recent days, said of missing once at 5-3. "I felt myself about to hit it and gave up on it. That's OK. I still made it to the next day. A lot of people don't qualify. As long as I keep my health together, I'll be OK."

Richwoods junior Donielle Ross (right) just missed advancing in both the 400 meters and triple jump. She turned in the ninth fastest time in the 400 at :57.90, but did not win her heat. Since the five heat winners and four fastest times from other heats moved on Ross' effort to reach finals was voided and heat winner Casey Short of Naperville Central (:57.94) moved on to the finals on Saturday while Ross did not.

The No. 11 seed in the triple jump missed that event when a near 37-foot triple jump was called a foul.

"They said it looked like my toe was over the board," Ross said

CHARLESTON - Although it might not have been a golden day, there still was a silver lining in the Class AA portion of the state track and field meet finals at O'Brien Field.

Richwoods senior Alex Starks had a second-place finish in the high jump to lead the JS-area contingent at Eastern Illinois University.

Starks came in as a top seed but settled for second after she bowed out at 5 feet, 6 inches. Belleville East senior Jennifer Palovcsik won, at 5-7.

"I could have done better, but I'm happy. I did everything I wanted to accomplish," Starks said of goals to break the school record of 5-7, go to state and place there. "I just couldn't get 5-7 today. I thought I had it on my second try, but they said I nicked it with my lower body."

A cruel twist of fate befell RHS' Donielle Ross in the finals of the 400 dash. Ross, who had failed to move to finals despite having a superior time of :57.90 to Naperville Central's Casey Short effort of :57.94, had to cringe when Short took home the Champion's Gold Medal by winning the event during the Saturday finals.