GIRLS TRACK: Junior-laden Niles North climbs to second at CSL North Meet

• Reprints

Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

GIRLS TRACK — Niles North girls track coach Andy Swedberg was hoping to see his team finish third at Friday’s CSL North Meet at Maine West.

Imagine the coach’s delight when his squad earned a comfortable second-place finish, scoring 118.5 points. The Vikings trailed Deerfield (185), but surged ahead of third-place Highland Park (96.5).

“We were hoping for third, but our kids came through with great effort. We really battled and really fought,” Swedberg said. “Thanks to hard work and dedication throughout the season, we really overcame adversity and shined through.”

The Vikings crowned one winner and five second-place finishers. The team counted at least seven all-conference performers.

Niles North will be looking to carry the momentum into today’s IHSA Class 3A Loyola Sectional, which begins at 2 p.m.

Vikings senior thrower Ashlei Kehl is one who hopes to punch her ticket to the State Meet in Charleston.

Kehl captured the conference championship in the shot put, throwing 35-feet-7.5 on her final throw. Her previous best had been 33-0.

“She was down to her last throw, and she uncorked a 35-footer,” Swedberg said. “It was her last throw of the conference meet with the championship on the line. It was gut-check time and fun to see.”

Swedberg believes Kehl has emerged as one of the area’s top throwers.

“She was a kid who always had potential, if she really put her mind to it,” he said. “This year, she decided she could be one of the elite in the area. It’s just a matter of believing she belongs among the other top kids, and there is no doubt she does.”

North sophomore Whitney Jean also appears a strong candidate for State after finishing second in both the 100 (12.8) and 200 (27.0) at the CSL North Meet.

“I really think (Jean) has a great shot getting down in the 100 and 200. There will be really good competition at the meet, but hopefully she’ll come through,” Swedberg said. “She loves running against fast kids and hopefully she’ll be able to have a great performance. She’s capable of doing it.”

Senior Kiana Foreman finished second in the league in the 400 (1:02.1) and will look to earn her second straight ticket to State, though she could face some stiff competition.

Other Niles North runners who finished runner-up at Maine West were: senior Clara Williamson (2:29.8 in the 800), junior Leah Wesolowski (5:42 in the 1,600) and sophomore Jennifer Na (15-6.5) in the long jump.

With a junior laden-team, Swedberg believes the Vikings could challenge Deerfield’s place at the top of the CSL North next season.

“If our (athletes) decide they really want to make their mark senior year, hopefully they’ll work hard toward that,” he said “They have the potential. Deerfield is going to lose a lot and we have the potential to be conference champs next year. We’ll see how hard (our girls) want to work.”