Brown, L-W East Girls Bring Home First State Track Trophy in School History

Sophomore sprinter Aaliyah Brown won two individual events and helped the Griffins win medals in two relay events as they captured second place in the Class 3A girls state track meet.

CHARLESTON -- It was the ultimate act of redemption for Lincoln-Way East sophomore sprint standout Aaliyah Brown. One year after leaving a trail of tears from the start line of the 200-meter dash to the finish line after false starting in the preliminaries, Brown answered the bell with a resounding flurry of upper cuts and left hooks at the Class 3A girls track and field state finals Saturday afternoon at Eastern Illinois’ O’Brien Stadium. The end  result was the Griffins placing second as a team in the large-school competition. “I don’t want to be known as the girl who false-started in the 200,” Brown said. Brown, the defending champion at 100 meters, denied Waubonsie Valley junior Morolake Akinosun--the indoor state champion--to retain …

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What Can Brown Do for L-Way East? Deliver the Goods in State Track Meet

Griffin sophomore sensation Aaliyah Brown will compete in four events in the Class 3A girls state track and field meet. And she could win them all.

Lincoln-Way East sophomore Aaliyah Brown believes she’ll compete in Rio in the 2016 Olympics. For now, though, she’s focused on this weekend’s trip to O’Brien Stadium in Charleston  for the IHSA girls track and field state finals. Brown won the 100 dash (11.96) and 200 dash (24.21) during last week’s Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional, which was held over two days because of thunderstorms. She also qualified in the 400 relay (46.83) and 1,600 relay (3:58.28). “Knock on wood, but if we keep our exchanges clean we should be coming home with three champions, the 100, 200 and our 4x100,” Lincoln-Way East coach Caroline Cunningham said. “They’re all ready. They’ve worked their butts off.” Brown may only be a sophomore, but she’s been recognized as …

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Local Sports Notebook

Lincoln-Way North Softball Hitting on All Cylinders

The Phoenix outscored three opponents 35-6 and were on an offensive tear heading into weekend action.

The Lincoln-Way North softball team was looking for its fourth consecutive win when it faced Andrew on Friday. And for more offensive firepower. North blasted Thornwood 13-2 on Monday behind a few strong performances with the bat. Katie Plotke and Kelly Sweeney each had two hits, and Leann Buzzard had three hits. Plotke led the team with 3 RBIs, while Sweeney and Buzzard each chipped in with two. Sweeney continued with her hot bat on Wednesday, getting two more hits and two RBIs in a 17-0 blowout against Thornridge. Kirsten Iversen threw a no-hitter and fanned 10. Things got tighter on Thursday as the Phoenix survived Oak Lawn, 5-4. Shannon O’Donnell had a pair of hits, including a double. Lincoln-Way North went into the weekend with a …

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Local Sports Notebook

Boys Tennis: L-W East Streak at 3 Years and Counting

Griffins have been getting it done non-stop since 2008.

The Lincoln-Way East boys tennis team put its streak of 31 consecutive Southwest Suburban Conference dual meet victories on the line against Homewood-Flossmoor on Wednesday. It wasn’t easy, but the Griffins survived 4-3. The Griffins conference winning streak started on April 17, 2008. No. 2. doubles team Adam Corazzi and Jacob Stoiber rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the third set to keep the winning streak alive. Singles player Jeremy Dancu and the doubles teams of Steve Adamitus and Dan Cesario and Luke Greenfield and Mike Prokop also were winners for East. The Lincoln-Way North baseball team had no problem at all whatsoever with Andrew on Thursday, hammering the Thunderbolts, 15-2. Jack Irace went 4-for-4 to lead the offense while Jake …

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Athlete of the Week: L-W East's Brown Dashes Past Everyone in California

Griffins sophomore Aaliyah Brown won the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash at the Arcadia Invitational in California.

Lincoln-Way East's Aaliyah Brown has proven herself to be one of the top sprinters not only in the state, but also in the country. The sophomore speedster recently won the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in California. Winning those events at the Arcadia Invitational is a remarkable achievement because of the event’s reputation. There have been 24 national high school records set at the Arcadia, and 125 athletes have competed in the meet prior to moving on to the U.S. Olympic team. Yes, Brown is an elite sprinter. “I cannot say enough good things about Aaliyah,” Lincoln-Way East coach Caroline Cunningham said. “She is one of the hardest workers I know. She’s a team leader, has a huge heart and is very…

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