Wasowicz, Palatine extend winning trend
Palatine’s girls cross country team lost three seniors from last years team that finished second in Class 3A, including top runner Courtney Brown.
But with junior Tess Wasowicz leading the charge, the Pirates haven’t missed a beat this season.
Wasowicz was in complete control again on Wednesday, leading Palatine to a 22-33 Mid-Suburban West duel meet victory over cross-town rival and host Fremd at Deer Grove East.
Wasowicz cruised to the victory in 17:51 as the Pirates placed four girls in the top five to ease to the victory.
“Everything is different this year,” said Wasowicz, who finished 15th in Class 3A last season. “I have had to take on more of a leadership role, and we have so many younger runners. It’s different but it’s been kind of fun.”
Wasowicz finished fifth on Sept. 3 at the Hinsdale Central Invite and the junior seems to be fitting in just fine as the Pirates’ No. 1 runner.
“In the past she has always had girls she could key off of,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks of his junior star. “There wasn’t pressure or expectations. But she’s handling it really well and dealing with the pressure.”
And a pair of sophomores has helped to solidify the Pirates’ attack. Jessica Lincoln (18:10) and Cassidy McPherson (18:30) went 3-4 on Wednesday, with senior Ellen Smith (19:01) taking fifth.
Freshman Kara Burton (19:44) completed the Pirates’ scoring with a ninth place finish.
No. 3 ranked Palatine is still missing sophomore Liz Coz, who is out with leg injury, but the Pirates seem to be in good position for an imposing two week stretch.
Palatine will travel to Peoria Notre Dame Invite this weekend, face Barrington in an important MSL West duel meet next Thursday, follow that up with a tough test at the Palatine Invite on Sept. 24, and finish the stretch with an important MSL West triangular against Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg on Sept. 28.
Needless to say, the Pirates have their work cut out for them.
“It’s going to be a huge test,” said Wasowicz. “We have so much young talent; it will be valuable for them to get big-meet experience.”
Junior Kelly Breen (18:06) paced Fremd by taking second place. Last year Breen finished 21st in Class 3A and the junior has had no letdown this season. She finished eighth at the Peoria Woodruff race last weekend, cruising the 3-mile state course in an impressive 17:54.
“My times this season have been better than last season at this stage,” said Breen of her progress. “So I feel like I’m on the right track. I know where I need to be this year.”
Junior Megan Moroney (19:38), junior Morgan Brauer (19:41), freshman Ayako Higuchi (19:43) went 6-7-8, and junior Samantha Bartolai (19:49) secured 10th place for the Vikings.
“We’re behind where we were last year,” said Fremd coach Mark Anderson of the Vikings attack. “Optimistically that will give us more room for improvement as the season progresses; hopefully we’ll be peaking at the right time in late October.”