Girls Track and Field: Elissa Bitterman Highlights Lemont's Showing At Plainfield South

Elissa Bitterman reached new heights for the girls track and field team on Friday.

However, her coach thinks she is just scratching the surface and that the best is yet to come.

The junior starred in the Indians' meet at Plainfield South High School thanks to a career-best showing in the high jump. Bitterman cleared 5-feet, 6-inches, giving the Indians their best individual showing of the night.

The leap also qualified Bitterman for a spot at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet, a showcase of the state's best track and field student-athletes, which will take place in late March at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill.

Most importantly, clearing the 5-foot, 6-inch mark set a new personal best for Bitterman. Still, first year coach Tim Plotke said he could see Bitterman moving the bar up, so to speak.

"She's starting to believe in her ability. When she's jumping and not thinking about it, she's able to do so much," Plotke said. "Right now, she's seeing what she can do and accomplishing it."

Bitterman is no stranger to success at the track and field level. As a sophomore, Bitterman qualified for the IHSA Class 2A championships, finishing in seventh place overall. With another year of experience under her belt, the junior could take another stride forward and up the state leaderboards.

Freshman Karoline Walczak brought home the team's only other top five finish as she clocked in with a 6:03 time in the 3200-meter run.

"The team is a work in progress," Plotke said. "We have a little bit of work to do."