Central’s girls track and field team won the DuPage Valley Conference (DVC) outdoor championship for the third consecutive year. The meet took place on May 2 at Metea Valley High School.

This is also the team’s fifth consecutive DVC title, indoor or outdoor. 

“It was super exciting, of course, because it was the last one, and a lot of seniors have been a big part of it,” senior Brooke Sawatzky said. 

The team scored many first-place finishes including: Sawatzky in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles and the triple jump, senior Liv Phillips in the 1600 and 3200 and junior Lola Satre-Morales in the 400 and 800.

“It takes a lot of work [to place first],” Sawatzky said. “It’s nice to see it all pay off at such a big meet like that. I love enjoying it myself, but it’s really nice to have my whole team there supporting me and cheering me on.”

Head coach Phil Allen attributes the team’s recurring success to the mindset they have built over the past four years.

“We had a very talented senior group last year, but this year specifically, they have been very selfless,” Allen said. “They are very team goal-oriented, and their chemistry this year has been unbelievable.”

After placing first at sectionals at Downers Grove North on May 10, the team will send 22 athletes to the IHSA State Championship at Eastern Illinois University from May 18-19.

“We feel pretty confident, and again, we [have] to go out and compete,” Allen said. “We’ve got the right kids in the spots that just compete and have the right mindset. We’re primed and ready to go.”