Sophomore Amber Vroman from Seneca High School throws her arms up in celebration as she crosses the finish line during a preliminary heat of the 4×800 meter relay, solidifying her squad’s first-place finish in the heat Thursday at O’Brien Field during the Illinois High School Association’s Girls Track and Field semifinals.

Vroman was the anchor for her relay team, and she was able to finish the race comfortably, a few seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, due to the previous three legs establishing and maintaining a good lead.

The first-place finish means the relay team will automatically be able to participate in the finals for the event Saturday.