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Sports

Straumann, Jakubicek Ready for State Three-Point Contest

The two Cary-Grove seniors look to advance to the Class 4A state three-point finals Thursday night in Normal

Meg Straumann and Claire Jakubicek knew they were going to state no matter what happened on Feb. 25 in the against Geneva.

Straumann and Jakubicek both have qualified for the state three-point shootout this weekend in Normal and will shoot in the preliminary round on Thursday night at 5 p.m at Illinois State University‘s Redbird Arena.

The two Cary-Grove seniors took very different paths to making it to state. Straumann made nine of her 15 shots in the final round last Thursday to advance automatically while Jakubicek made eight and had to endure two shoot-offs to advance.

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Straumann said it’s an experience that she will treasure and looks forward to.

“I’ve never been farther than the first round of sectionals I don’t think before,” Straumann said. “It is definitely exciting. It would be 10 times better with the my team down there competing in a game and not just the three-point competition but it’s a different crowd and it’s definitely exciting so hopefully I will just have some fun with it.”

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On the other hand with Jakubicek, this is an event that came completely out of the blue.

“It’s a real pleasure to do this. I wasn’t expecting this, what so ever,” Jakubicek said. “I’m honored to go down there and I’m looking forward to it but I went into the competition just doing it for fun. I’ve tried some three-pointers but I wouldn’t call myself a shooter especially on this team, I’m down low. I did it for fun thinking why not.”

There are 32 shooters that will participate Thursday in four groups of eight. One thing that is assured that both Straumann and Jakubicek advance as both of them were placed in the same group. While that is the case, both Straumann and Jakubicek are happy they get the opportunity to experience this together.

Straumann said that it always help having some moral support with you.

“I’m proud of her as much as I am with my team but for her to make it down there too with me, I have a little bit more confidence on my side," Straumann said. “I think it says a lot about Cary-Grove sending two girls down there. We started this having a pact that we were doing this for fun so I‘m sure whatever happens, we will be proud of each other.”

Jakubicek echoed a lot of Straumann’s sentiments.

“It’s not a competition for me, I’m just out there to do my best and that’s all I’m worried about,” Jakubicek said. “I hope Meg, being a shooter and all, makes it all the way and I’m rooting for her as much as I’m rooting for myself. I think both of us should just go out and try our best.”

There will be an update on how Straumann and Jakubicek did on patch late Thursday night and a full story on their thoughts Friday.

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