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Big meet? Palatine’s got it covered

Palatine’s girls track team seemed to cover it all on Saturday.

The Pirates showed a balanced attack in cruising to the 81st Palatine Relay title with 117.5 points on a pleasant spring day.

Barrington also hung tough in taking second with 95 points, followed by Peoria Richwoods (73 points), Huntley (66.5 points), and Fremd (57 points).

Peoria Richwood senior Brenna Detra dominated the meet in winning her third straight McElroy Award for the meet’s most outstanding female athlete.

Detra started the day by winning the 300 low hurdles (43.29). She added first place finishes in the 400 (57.11) and 200 (25.16), and also had the top mark in the long jump (17-07.5).

“I am in shape and I’m just waiting to peak,” said Detra who has won 8 state medals over the last three years. “So this definitely was a good start for the end of the season.”

Palatine also had its share of top performances in winning five events and seems primed for a big postseason.

“It was definitely a team effort,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks. “You look around and everybody was stepping up in different events.”

Including sophomore Caitlin Riedy, who started the day by taking second in the 300 low hurdles (47.27). Riedy then helped lead Palatine to a first-place finish in the frosh/soph sprint medley (1:53.88), and she finished her day by leading Palatine to a second-place finish in the 1,600 relay (4:05.57).

“I think it was really a great day for the team, and everybody was very supportive,” said Riedy. “Everybody was out cheering today and that helped push us in each event.”

Junior Liz Cox led the Pirates’ distance crew by taking first in the 1,600 (5:13.12), and she had a leg on the Pirates’ victorious distance medley (12:31.48).

“We’ve done a good job leading up to this meet,” said Cox. “Now we’re looking to focus on the skills and get ready for the post season.”

Senior Meg Jump had the top mark in the triple jump for the MSL West champion Pirates, and Megan O’Brien had the top team mark in shot put (37-06) and discus (98-05).

Barrington ended the day on a high note with Samantha Babiuk, Lauren Cropsey, Anna Cossio and Stephanie Bergren driving the Fillies to a first-place finish in the meet-ending 1,600 relay (4:04.40).

Bergren capped a strong day by running the anchor leg and pushing the Fillies from behind to secure the victory.

“That was the first time we ran that group and we pulled it together,” said Bergren. “As a whole, the team did really awesome today.”

Bergren also helped lead the Fillies to a first-place finish in the frosh/soph 1,600 medley (4:19.15), and was part of the fourth place 3,200 relay.

“I think we still have something to prove and I think we can keep lowering our time,” said Cossio of the 1,600 relay. Cossio also cleared 5-4 in the high jump.

Senior Rachel Simon did her part for Barrington by taking control early and cruising to the 3,200 title (11:29.42).

Wheeling senior Sydney Keith took second in both the 100 (12.92) and 200 (26.21), and combined with Katherine Kowalski, Alexa Laureano, and Angela Reinhart in leading the Wildcats to an impressive victory in the 400 relay (49.80).

“That relay is really coming together,” said Keith of the 400. “My endurance has gotten better this year and I just feel stronger.”

Senior Brie Majkowski hit a 105-09 leading the Wildcats to a first-place finish in the discus relay (304-03).

Sophomore Lauren Van Vlierbergen cruised to the 800 title in a scintillating 2:13.67 to lead Jacobs. The Eagles sophomore then came back to pace Jacobs to a second-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:36.77). Lane Tech took first in the 3,200 relay (9:29.44).

“I’m feeling pretty good about the time,” said Vlierbergen. “I just wanted to go out fast and finish strong.”

Huntley took first place in the 400 high hurdle shuttle relay (1:04.10) and also added a first-place finish in the pole vault relay (19-06). Sophomore Delaney Lyman cleared 10-0 to lead Huntley in the pole vault.

Senior Omo Tseumah cleared 5-8 to take the top mark in the high jump leading Huntley to second place.

“I’m feeling pretty confident right now, but I know when you get down to state everything is going to be different,” said Tseumah who took second in Class 3A last season. “But I have to keep myself in check. I have high goals.”

Anna Johnson (5-4), Becky Lutka (5-2), and Alli Pegone (4-8) powered Fremd to the high jump relay title (15-02).

  Rachel Simon of Barrington completes a victory in the 3,200-meter run at the Palatine Relays. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
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