Riverside Brookfield High School senior Jorie Eggers needed a break from the 400-meter run during her 2024 girls track and field season.
“I struggled with my confidence in running the 400 so I switched over to 300 (low) hurdles towards the end of the season,” Eggers responded.
Eggers has returned to the 400 with a run for the ages May 1.
Her second-place 59.95 seconds at the Oak Forest Invitational broke a 39-year school record.
“Out of my track accomplishments, this ranks No. 1,” Eggers responded.
“Even though I have great memories and accomplishments running relays with my team, breaking the school record was always my top goal. It feels very rewarding to finally have reached my goal.”
The Bulldogs and Lyons Township now go after state berths at the Class 3A Oak Park and River Forest Sectional Friday on the Huskies’ new track. Top-two sectional finishers automatically advance as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the meet.
Eggers ran 1:01.68 April 21. At Oak Forest, Eggers beat the 60.8 school record by Lucie Dobrovolny from 1986.
“I knew that I broke 60 (seconds) and I knew the time I needed to beat was 60.8,” Eggers responded.
“When I realized I broke the record, I started jumping up and down with joy. My teammates ran up and hugged me right away. I’m extremely grateful to have such supportive and amazing teammates and coaches.”
At their first Upstate Eight Conference Meet Thursday, the Bulldogs’ Eggers, senior Gianna Gelb and juniors Addie Vaia and Rebecca Dosek could celebrate winning the 4×800 relay in 10:20.07.
Third-place Vaia (800 in 2:32.33) and fourth-place Eggers (300 low hurdles in 51.14) also earned all-conference honors with top-four finishes.
The 4×400 with Dosek, junior Kira Hanson, Vaia and Eggers was fifth (4:25.65). Hanson (400 in 1:04.99) and Dosek (800 in 2:34.28) were sixth.
The Bulldogs (33 points) were ninth.
In 2024, Gelb and Vaia also won the 4×800 as the Bulldogs won their final Metro Suburban Conference Meet. Gelb also was part of two second-place MSC Meet finishers in 2023 with Eggers and 2022.
“Going into the 4×800 relay (Thursday), I felt very confident in not only my ability but my teammates’ abilities as well to do great,” Gelb responded.
“We weren’t shooting for a specific time, but focusing more on placement and trying to race. For my last conference meet, it was a very exciting moment, and I was so grateful that I got to share that with my relay team.”
The Lions finished sixth (41 points) at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Friday at Downers Grove North.
Leigh Ferrell (in pole vault) and Karenna Knop (100 high hurdles in 16.50) were second. High jumpers Vesta Samoulis and Chloe Russell tied for fourth (1.47m/4-9 3/4) and the 4×100 (Adalyne Flynn, Knop, Lucy Laux, Lindsey Dunneback in 50.13) and 4×200 (Flynn, Brooke Bonniwell, Nora Ezike, Russell in 4:11.65) also were fourth. Sarah Wiggins (300 low hurdles in 49.87) and the 4×400 (Laux, Natasha Lumb, Isabella Ballarini, Russell in 4:11.65) were fifth.
Lyons Township’s Lindsey Dunneback competes in the long jump during the WSC Silver Girls Outdoor Championship Friday, May 9, 2025 in Downers Grove. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Leigh Ferrell competes in the pole vault during the WSC Silver Girls Outdoor Championship Friday, May 9, 2025 in Downers Grove. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Karenna Knop competes in the 100m hurdles during the WSC Silver Girls Outdoor Championship Friday, May 9, 2025 in Downers Grove. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Amelia Hammersley races between Oak Park and River Forest’s Amelia Hammersley and Nylah Smith in the 100 meters during the WSC Silver Girls Outdoor Championship Friday, May 9, 2025 in Downers Grove. (Steve Johnston)