GK's Natasha Bianchi and IC's Regan Gibson make top three

CHARLESTON – Genoa-Kingston freshman Natasha Bianchi traded in her cast for a medal.

Bianchi competed for most of the season with a cast guarding a broken bone in his left hand. She appreciated that the cast was removed in time for the playoffs.

Bianchi completed a long jump of 5.24 meters (17 feet, 2 1/4 inches) on her final attempt, propelling her to third place in Class 2A at the IHSA girls’ track meet Saturday at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium.

“I was really surprised on my last jump,” Bianchi said. “It’s not my best (in career), but I had a cast because I broke my hand. This is my best outside of the cast. This took me from 10th to third.

“It was amazing and I am very proud of my growth and achieving my goals for the track and field season. (Getting my cast off) was a huge boost and was really helpful. I received a medal. I was happy, I achieved all my goals.

Indian Creek’s Reagan Gibson closed out her high school career with a 3.70 (12-1 1/2) pole vault for second place in Class 1A. Mya Strahm of Elmwood won in a meet record 4.30 (14-1 1/4).

GK’s Addison Vicary was fifth in the 2A high jump (1.55, 5-1) and DeKalb’s Joscelyn Dieckman was eighth and Kaneland’s Cora Heller tied for ninth in the Class 3A pole vault.

Gibson, who finished fourth last year, will compete on vault at Murray State next year.

“I was really happy with how I jumped today, considering my poles were too small,” Gibson said. “I ended up doing really well in that situation.”

Gibson jumped on a 13-foot, 155-pound pole and felt she needed to jump with a longer pole. She was close to her personal best of 12-6.

“It’s less than a foot, I’m happy with that,” Gibson said. “All my hard work got me there, so I’m happy with that.”

Gibson and Seneca’s Teagan Johnson both managed 3.70s behind Strahm, but Gibson finished second with fewer misses. She didn’t miss at 3.35 (10-11.75), 3.50 (11-5.75) or 3.70 (12-1.5). Johnson missed one game each at 3.50 and 3.60.

Dieckman finished second in 3A last year, but dealt with an early ankle injury and mental blocks throughout the season. She succeeded after doing 3.40 (11-1 3/4), then came back to 3.70 (12-1 1/2), but missed three attempts.

DeKalb’s Korima Gonzalez, who battled a leg injury for much of the season, qualified for the 800 final but finished 12th. She won a medal last year, finishing ninth.

The Barbs’ Sydney Myles finished third in the high jump last year and reached the final, but did not medal. She scored 1.55 (5-1) and finished 16th.