For the first time in more than 20 years, Riverside Brookfield High School had a 4 x 800-meter relay team that punched its ticket to the girls track and field state meet, May 13, at the Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional.
For seniors Rebecca Dosek and Addie Vaia, this was the last chance to compete at their first state meets.
“When we realized we qualified for state, I started crying right away. It was such an emotional moment because all of our hard work finally paid off.” Vaia said. “The first thing I wanted to do was celebrate with my teammates and go hug my parents in the stands because they’ve supported me through everything.”
The relay of Dosek, Vaia, junior Elizabeth Moran and freshman Natalie Moran secured the historic qualification with a second-place finish in 10:17.13. Top-two sectional finishers automatically qualify for state Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the sectional.
The race delivered one of the program’s biggest moments of the season in what athletes and head coach RBHS Lillian Holubek described as an emotional and “bittersweet” ending.
The Bulldogs balanced the excitement of qualifying with the reality that this marks the final season for longtime distance coach Blair Jensen, whose retirement has added another layer of meaning to the postseason run.
Before the race, Jensen emphasized confidence and composure to his runners.
“I always tell them to go out hard and settle into their race,” Jensen said. “Maintain through that first lap, because the second lap is really where the race starts. Focus on your race and don’t worry about anyone else.”
That message carried into the relay as the team battled nerves before stepping onto the track.
“At first we were really nervous,” Vaia said. “We got really quiet before the race started, but we kept reminding ourselves that we’ve done this so many times before. Nervous or not, you’re still going to run. The only thing you can do is to leave it all on the track.”
Dosek emphasized the team’s mindset beyond time and placements.
“The only focus within running shouldn’t be getting that (personal record),” Dosek said. “Being able to have fun with running has been the reason for my success within the sport.”
Dosek and Vaia said they hope younger athletes carry on the culture Jensen helped build — one centered on perseverance, enjoyment and teamwork rather than just times on a stopwatch.
“Never give up on yourself or your team,” Vaia added. “If you keep working hard and pushing yourself toward your goals you never know what can happen.”
LTHS/Nazareth/Fenwick girls track
Lyons Township junior Mia Toulios is returning to the 3A state meet in an unexpected way. Known more for sprinting, Toulios qualified in high jump by clearing a season-best 1.52 meters/4 feet-11 3/4 inches in tying for second at the 3A Shepard Sectional May 13.
“It was definitely not (expected). I haven’t been doing good this season and by a miracle I was able to qualify for state,” Toulios said. “Me and my friend (Downers Grove North’s Maya Nicholson) tied for second. I’m glad we didn’t have to do a jump off.”
Junior Lucy Laux also returns to state after a second-place personal-best 59.30 in the 400.
“I’m excited about that. I’m so hyped to go (back to state),” Laux said. “It’s very intense but it’s also exciting. It’s so much fun.”
Toulios and Laux competed at 2024 state with the 4 x 200. For the second straight year, they just missed with the 4 x 400. They, junior Phoebe Klitchman and senior Sarah Wiggins were sixth at Shepard (4:05.92) and missed the 4:04.52 state cut.
A 2025 state qualifier in the 300 low hurdles, Wiggins did not advance but ran a lifetime-best 48.26 for ninth. Sophomore Bianca Taylor (5.40m/17-8 1/2 in long jump) just missed the 17-11 cut and Nazareth junior Claire Sigmund was third in the 400 (1:00.19).
In 2A, Fenwick junior Julianna Gamboa of Riverside qualified in the 3,200 (7th, 11:49.73) by edging the 11:49.92 cut at the Clark Sectional Friday.
Boys track and field
Riverside Brookfield and Lyons Township compete at the 3A Lyons Township Sectional Thursday, May 21. Discus will be held at Hinsdale Central May 20.
Top-two sectionals automatically qualify for state as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the sectional.
The Bulldogs were 12th at the one-division Upstate Eight Conference Meet Thursday at West Aurora. Junior Bryson Reum was sixth in the 400 (54.24).
Lyons Township’s Charlie Pelling participates in high jump during the meet held at Proviso East Thursday May 14, 2026. (Erica Benson) 
Lyons Township’s Brock Curtin participates in high jump during the meet held at Proviso East Thursday May 14, 2026. (Erica Benson) 
Lyons Township’s Joey Bockwell participates in discuss during the meet held at Proviso East Thursday May 14, 2026. (Erica Benson) 
Lyons Township’s Joey Bockwell participates in shot put during the meet held at Proviso East Thursday May 14, 2026. (Erica Benson)
The Lions finished sixth (54 points) at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Thursday at Proviso East.
Junior Joey Bockwell’s first-place shot put (18.33m/60-2) was just one inch shy of Adam Schaufelberger’s school-record 60-3 that won the 2015 Silver title. Bockwell set the indoor school record of 59-4, Feb. 19.
Bockwell also was second in discus (48.20m/158-2). His personal best 164-6 is No. 3 all-time and near Brian Treski’s 172-2 school record from 1987.
Senior Brock Curtin was second in high jump (1.93m/6-4) with junior Charlie Pelling fifth (1.77m/5-10).
The 4 x 800 of seniors Austin Best, Tyler Gantt and Patrick Collins and sophomore Brennan Monohan was second (8:07.14)
Senior Gustavo Mojarro (400 in season-best 51.49) and junior Rashad Flowers (12.56m/41-2 1/2 in triple jump) were fourth. Gantt (4:21.28) and Monohan (4:21.84) finished 4-5 in the 1,600.