TRACK: Saunders’ return helps guide Tigers

COLLINSVILLE - Lia Saunders' return to the track supplied the Edwardsville Tigers with the tonic they needed Thursday.

Saunders played a part in three wins as the Tigers finished second to East St. Louis in the Southwestern Conference girls meet at Collinsville High. The Flyerettes rolled up 177 1/2 points, while Edwardsville tallied 128 points. Alton placed sixth with 47 points in the eight-school meet.

"Lia was phenomenal," Edwardsville coach Steve Chapman said. "She hadn't race for about two weeks because of shin splits, but she was all over the place for us today."

The senior, bound for Illinois-Chicago, won the 800-meters in 2 minutes, 24.76 seconds. She also ran legs on Edwardsville's victorious 4x800-meter (9:47.93) and 4x400-meter (3:55.46) relays.

 Kaci Smith, Kayla Dowell and Liz Speicher teamed with Saunders on the winning 4x8. It was Shanice Rice, Laila Jason and Smith combining forces with Saunders on the 4x4.

"It's as good of a meet as I have had all season," said Saunders, eager to compete. "This was my first meet back after having a shin split issue and I was looking for some reassurance. It made me feel real comfortable the way I ran."

Chapman added, "It should be a confidence boost for her. Lia is one of our leaders."

Teammate Chelsea Coley won the pole vault by going 9 feet and the Tigers sprinkled in plenty of points across the board to fend off Belleville East, third with 106 points. O'Fallon (92), Belleville West (72), Alton, Granite City (34 1/2) and Collinsville rounded out the team totals.

"I'm happy that we finished in second place because East St. Louis is an amazing team," Saunders said.

Chapman concurred. "East St. Louis is one of the best teams in the state, so I'm happy with second in the conference because it's a meat-grinder," Chapman said.

Jessica Lenoir paced the Redbirds. She won the 400-meters in 56.98, took third in the 200-meters (26.17) and anchored two relays. The Redbirds 4x4 finished in 4:04.24 and their 4x1 was fourth in 50.38.

"I was impressed with the way Jessica ran and (those two) relays," Alton coach Terry Mitchell said. "We're coming around."

Lenoir likes the way her times are improving. "I'm about where I want to be," she said. "I want to get down to 54-55 seconds in the 400-meters and go to state. I'm going to push myself all the way the rest of the season."

Alton and Edwardsville will be among the teams competing in next Friday's AHS Class AA Regional at Public School Stadium's Wigger Track.

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