About this Article

Often a leader of races, Palatine junior Tess Wasowicz took control of a post-meet team photo. Were not going to smile, said a straight-faced Wasowicz, who then ... smiled. Naturally, she was kidding. Never mind that despite helping Palatine begin the finals of Thursdays Class 3A Grayslake North sectional by running a leg on the winning 3,200-meter relay, Wasowicz wasnt feeling all cheery. Coming off the 4 by 8 (3,200 relay), I was kind of tired and I was doubting myself (going into the 1,600 run), she said. But once I started the first lap in the mile, I just knew that I could take it over and that I could finish it off. Wasowicz won the 1,600 run in 5:02.40, well ahead of runner-up Katie Filosa (5:11.12) of Fremd, then came back two events later to help Palatine finish the meet in style, as the Pirates came from behind to win the 1,600 relay in 3:59.54. When it was over, Palatine was, yes, posing for pictures and, yes, smiling. The Pirates totaled 86 points, well ahead of Warren (73), which got a pair of wins from freshman standout Brittny Ellis (200, 400), who also anchored the winning 400 relay.