Posted Monday, April 17, 2006, The OG, sports

Uni's 3,200-meter relay team of senior Josie Chambers and sophomores Shivani Khanna, Ruthie Welch, and Samantha Nguyen placed third in Friday's 17-school Unity Invitational Track Meet in Tolono.

Turning in a time of 10 minutes, 47.92 seconds, the squad finished behind Unity (10:37.93) and Decatur St. Teresa (10:32.46). The Illinek foursome edged perennial power Monticello (10:53.42) by almost six seconds. The IHSA automatic state-qualifying time is 10:23.74.

The 4x800 was one of several events featuring impressive showings by Uni runners.

The 1,600 relay team of Chambers, Welch, junior Aria Collopy, and freshman Lizzy Warner placed fourth with a time of 4:30.24, just 2.34 seconds behind Monticello and 3.57 seconds behind Unity. Pana won with a time of 4:21.52. The IHSA automatic state-qualifying time is 4:17.74.

In individual events, Khanna led the way for Uni with a second-place finish in the 1,600 (5:50.59), about 11 seconds behind Kerby Waddell of Monticello (5:39.52). The IHSA automatic state-qualifying time is 5:36.24.

Freshman Elaine Gu placed third in the 3,200 with a time of 12:50.99, only 1.32 seconds behind Ellie Lawrence of Monticello. Hannah Hogan of St. Joseph-Ogden finished first (12:22.58). The IHSA automatic state-qualifying time is 12:17.24.

“I thought that the meet went really well, especially considering how windy it was and that there was a half-hour delay in the middle due to lightning,” Khanna said. “I was really impressed by our 4x800 because one of our members, [freshman] Laura Hazlett, has an injury and so didn't run. The 4x400 also had a seven-second seasonal best, which was awesome.”

Overall, Uni placed 10th with 25 points. Next up for the girls will be the Falcon Invitational on Friday at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. Visit the team's home page for a complete schedule of 2006 meets.

— Gargoyle staff