Editor’s Note: This article was also published in the Benet Herald 2024 Graduation Edition.

On May 1, 2024, the ESCC Girls Track Team Championship took place. Seven schools, St. Viator, Marist High School, Nazareth Academy, Benet Academy, Marian Catholic, Joliet Catholic Academy, and Mount Carmel, participated in this event. The question of whether or not Benet Academy would remain champions of the ESCC Conference increased the meet’s tension. Benet Academy has won the ESCC Girls Championship every year since 2019, excluding spring of 2020. 

Each school sends its top 2 athletes and relays to compete at the school selected. The ESCC was hosted at Marist High School. As expected, the meeting was far more challenging than in past years. Benet and other schools had to adjust their lineups to gain an advantage. Multiple Benet athletes placed 1st: Isabella Olivares, Gabrielle Brown, Payton Mathelier, Delilah Helenhouse, Keira Jenke, Faye Ferrell, Maddie Megarry, Grace Rooney, Gabriella Bertuca, Caroline Acuff, Terese Tully, Nida Polikaitis, Emma Briggs, and Valerie Sarros. Despite multiple Benet athletes placing, the point gap compared to last year lessened. 

The competition was great, and the Benet Academy 2024 Girls Track Team made the community proud. The athletes in the class of 2024 have won their conference every year since their freshman year. As they wave goodbye to their teammates, they simultaneously entrust the future classes to continue the tradition of winning the conference.