Inductees

BERGAN HIGH SCHOOL, which began a state meet Class A dynasty by bagging the state championship in 1981 and 1982, continued its amazing string in 1983.

Coached by Tim Dougherty, the team's third coach in three years, Bergan, after winning the 1982 title without winning an event, won four first place medals in this one.

At the end, Bergan had 51 points, its most in its three-year championship run. Chicago Luther South was second, with 46.

Sophomore Suzie Tuffey, who would become one of the top distance runners in Peoria girls' running history, won both the 1600 and 800, taking the 800 in 2:14.6, at that time her best ever and only .04 seconds off the state record. She then won the 1600 in 5:06.

The 800 medley relay team of Julie Szidon, Cheryl Geier, Jill Mattern and Carrie Eggerichs set a state record of 1:48.9 in winning a third gold medal for the Trojans.

And Eggerichs, who began her prep career in Connecticut and ran in the state meet there, also won the 400 in 57.7 seconds.

Bergan's 400 relay team of Szidon, Geier, Annette Pisano and Mattern finished second in 50.4 seconds and the Trojans' 1600 relay team of Mary Hiavach, Tuffey, Maria Pasquel and Eggerichs was sixth in 4:07.3.

There was confusion at the end of the meet when it was announced that Bergan first had just 31 points, and then, in another announcement, only 41.

Eventually state officials straightened out the point total and Bergan was declared state champion for the third consecutive year.