Palatine meets Hoffman Estates’ challenge
Palatine’s girls cross country team got a severe test from Hoffman Estates on Thursday at its Mid-Suburban League West triangular.
And the Pirates passed that test.
Barely.
Palatine edged Hoffman Estates 28-29 and also defeated Schaumburg 20-37 in taking the MSL West division title on Macnider Cross Country Course at Hoover Park.
Hoffman Estates defeated Schaumburg 20-41.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks. “We knew we’d be tested, and we knew we’d be pushed. A win is a win, but they definitely made it interesting.”
Senior Haley Goers continued an impressive season by taking first in 18:49 to lead the Hoffman attack. But for the second time in three years, the Hawks lost the division title by 1 point.
“I’m very proud of the work we’re putting in and I know we’ll be there at the end of the season,” said Hoffman Estates coach Kirk Macnider. “The opportunity was there, but we let it slip through our fingers.”
Junior Tess Wasowicz (19:03) and sophomore Jessica Lincoln (19:04) took second and third to pace the Pirates, with Hoffman senior Haley Worman (19:06) taking fourth place for the Hawks.
Sophomore Cassidy McPherson (19:50) and senior Ellen Smith (19:56) picked up critical points by taking sixth and seventh place for Palatine.
Senior Takshaka Patel (20:06), senior Katie Johnson (20:31), senior Deedee Delahunt (20:36), sophomore Solome Haile (20:44) and freshman Alondra Aguirre (20:45) then streamed across for the Hawks in eighth, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th place.
“We came in ready for a battle,” said Wasowicz. “Getting the title is awesome, but we still have ton of work to do.”
With Palatine still searching for a fifth runner, Smith’s seventh-place finish proved to be the key. The Pirates senior held off Patel in the final mile to secure the victory.
“We knew the points would be tight,” said Smith who briefly fell behind Patel in the final mile before finishing with a flourish. “I was being pressured the whole time; I knew I had to battle every step.”
Junior Hannah Coombs (19:34) and senior Sam Nordli (20:17) helped pace Schaumburg by taking fifth and ninth place.
“It was definitely some tough competition today,” said Coombs of her performance. “They really pushed me today.”
Prospect takes East: Prospect is looking to get back on track and Knights took a step in the right direction on Wednesday at a Mid-Suburban East triangular.
Junior Brooke Wolfe (18:47) took first, propelling Prospect to a pair of victories and helping the Knights cement the MSL East division title at Heritage Park in Wheeling.
Prospect defeated Rolling Meadows 21-37 and also defeated host Wheeling 15-50.
Junior Lauren Poplawski (19:07) and senior Laura Maibuecher (19:10) took second and third place to help solidify the Knights’ victory.
Freshman Hannah Getschman, freshman Maggie Sullivan and freshman Ellen Siefke also added to an improving Knights attack.
“We’re making progress,” said Prospect coach Dave Wurster of his team’s effort. “We’re much better than we were earlier.”