HHS champions lauded by village board

HUNTLEY — Nearly three weeks earlier, they secured the second state team title in Huntley High School history.

Huntley village leaders became the latest to honor the Red Raiders Class 3A Girls Track and Field Team Champions June 8 at their meeting. Soon, signs will be placed in town in recognition of the team’s title, and state champions Ally Panzloff in the discus throw; Dominique Johnson in the triple jump and three-time state champ Alexandria Johnson for the long jump and she won the triple jump crown in 2022.

“They’re an incredible group of athletes who made school history,” HHS head coach Jason Monson said.

Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft read a proclamation in support of the team and team members received individual certificates.

“Trust The Process” was the motto for the 70-plus member Red Raiders squad and the end result, an IHSA Class 3A State Championship trophy, stood at the middle of the table on awards night,  The HHS squad downed second-place Prospect, 62.5 to 52 points, for the title at Eastern Illinois University May 20.

“The work toward a state championship started back in November,” Monson said. “The focus was on May, all the sacrifices of other aspects. You trusted the process I appreciate your dedication to the sport. It’s hard – due to many variables, you won’t always win or have your personal best. This was the most passionate group of athletes I have ever worked with. What you accomplished, only the second state championship, will be forever etched in Huntley history.”

“You did something incredibly special,” Monson added. “It was a defining year for the program in every way, shape and form. We thought there were three or four teams at state who could win it,” Monson said. “We had a huge advantage because we had 30 points carry over from the first day and other teams had to catch us.”

The event winners reflected on their titles.

“It felt amazing,” long jump champion Alexandria Johnson said. Her winning effort was 5.96 meters ,a new school record.

Monson noted that the senior earned nine medals in the outdoor track and field season.  Alexandria Johnson is headed to Arizona State University this fall to compete in jumps.

Panzloff’s winning 48.73 meters discus throw (159 feet, 10.6 inches)  was the 13th best in Illinois state track and field meet history. The throw beat the previous school record, set by Meaghan Byrd in 2001, with a 39.9 meters, 131 feet. Panzloff will compete in volleyball this fall at Brown University.

“I was surprised at that, I didn’t know until tonight,” said Panzloff.

Sophomore Dominique Johnson, whose 12.35 meters won the triple jump, and edged sister Alexandria Johnson’s 12.27 top effort, is thinking ahead. “I want to defend my triple jump title next year,” she said.

Relays secured points with a second in the 4×100 meters with Dominique Johnson, Victoria Evitmov, K’Leigh Sanez and Alexandria Johnson’s 47.97 seconds. The 4×200 meter run of Alexandria Johnson, Saenz, Dominique Johnson and Vicky Emitov (with Emily Byers competing in the prelims) was third at 1:40.72.