Six Harlem track and field seniors moving on to college level

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK – Six of the nine seniors on this year’s Harlem girls track and field team will be moving on to the college level.

Four of them signed national letters of intent during a ceremony held April 28 in the Commons area of the school.

Payton Hartman, Keri Iong and Erin Stewart plan to attend North Central College, home of the Cardinals, in Naperville. This is a Division III school that competes in The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Also April 28, Brittany Bodnar committed to attend the St. Francis University in Joliet. The Fighting Saints is the nickname for an NAIA school that competes in The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Brittany is a thrower, competing in the field events of shot put and discus.

Payton competes in distance events, such as the mile and two-mile runs. She also runs cross country.

Keri’s specialty events are the sprints, such as the 100 and 200-yard dashes, along with high and low hurdles.

Erin also competes in the sprints.

Two other Lady Huskie seniors, TaiahGallisath and Emma Platzbecker, are looking at their options, waiting to make their commitments while finishing up their final high school season.

“All these young ladies contributed immensely to the Harlem track and field program and will be missed,” head coach Scott Sholl said. “Our staff and underclassmen wish them well in the next chapter of their lives.”