ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK CAPSULES

JAIDA MOORE

Alton

Event: 100-meters

Year: Sophomore

The Redbirds didn't lack for quality sprinters and Moore was one of their top ones. Just a sophomore, Moore turned in a time of 12.1 in the Alton Sectional to finish third and earn a berth to the state finals in Charleston. She was also a valuable member of Alton's sprint relay teams.

LIA SAUNDERS

Edwardsville

Event: 800-meters

Year: Senior

Saunders was perhaps the for Edwardsville's solid team that won the Alton Sectional and ran second to East St. Louis in the Southwestern Conference Meet. She posted a top time in 2:22.2 in this event and also shined on relay teams. Saunders was the Alton Sectional champion.

LIZ SPEICHER

Edwardsville

Event: 1,600-meters

Year: Senior

Speicher, The Telegraph's Female Runner of the Year during the fall cross country season, continued her fancy footwork during the spring. She led the solid Edwardsville long-distance contingent and checked in with a best 5:24.2 in this event.

SANDALL RANDALL

North Greene

Event: 3,200-meters

Year: Freshman

Just because you are a freshman doesn't mean good things are out of your reach. Or step. Randall proved that by emerging as a long-distance threat. She had a top time of 12:38.9 and won the Hillsboro Sectional, qualifying her for state.

SARAH KESSINGER

Alton

Event: 100-meter high hurdles

Year: Junior

Kessinger is another one of those do-it-all performers for the Redbirds. She's at home as much in the sprints/relays as she is in the hurdles. Nevertheless, she proved best in the high hurdles, turning in a time of 15.1 for third place in the Alton Sectional and advancing to state.

ERICA WOLFF

Gillespie

300-meter low hurdles

Year: Senior

Wolff and hurdles have been synonymous during her stellar career for the Miners. This spring was no exception as she compiled a time of 47.5 in the lows, won the Hillsboro Sectional and earned another state date. Wolff was a state qualifier in this event as a junior.

MALLORY DUGGER

Civic Memorial

Event: Long Jump

Year: Senior

There's no doubt that Dugger served as the focal point for the improved Eagles. She proved versatile enough to excel in sprints and jumps. The long jump was one of her best events. She went 16-7 in it. Dugger also advanced to state in the 400-meters, running 59.3 for third in the Alton Sectional.

SARAH BUSSMANN

Gillespie

Event: Triple Jump

Year: Sophomore

Another one of a cadre of young, talented tracksters, Bussmann provided a number of things for the Miners. Mostly, she fueled them in the triple jump. Bussmann went 31-6 1/2, taking second in the sectional and qualifying for state.

KASEY OCEGUERA

Edwardsville

Event: High Jump

Year: Junior

Oceguera appeared to improve as the season wore on. She gave the Tigers consistency in the high jump and leaped 5-1 in the Alton Sectional to take second and corral a state berth. Her best jump of the season was 5-2 and that came the first day at state.

RELAYS

Alton

4x100-meters

Jessica Lenoir ignited this speedy relay, which also included Sarah Kessinger, Jaida Moore and Shakira Lenoir, a freshman and Jessica's cousin. The foursome ran 49.50 to finish first in the Alton Sectional and advance to state. All of the runners return for the 2009 season.

Edwardsville

4x200-meters

The Tigers put together one of the best efforts for last, when they shaded the Redbirds for first place in the AHS Sectional. The team of junior Madi Pranger, Shanice Rice, senior Kelsey Baumgartner and Laila Jason strung together a time of 1:45.1.

Edwardsvlle

4x400-meters

Although they had ample quality relays, the Tigers 4x4 was the best of them all. The results proved the point when Edwardsville finished fifth at state, checking it at 3:52.75. The team of sophomores Shanice Rice and Laila Jason, plus seniors Kaci Smith and Saunders, were in top form.

Edwardsville

4x800-meters

Since the Tigers boasted an array of classy middle distance runners, it's no surprise that they would boast a competitive 4x8. The team of junior Courtney Smith, plus seniors Liz Speicher, Kaci Smith and Lia Saunders, had a quick time of 9:50.72. Edwardsville was sectional runner-up.