Girls track: Scouting the Mid-Suburban League meet
Girls track: Scouting the Mid-Suburban League meet
When: Friday; field events start at 4:30 p.m., running preliminaries at 5 p.m., track finals 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gary Scholz Stadium, Schaumburg
Outlook: Prospect and Palatine have won the past two Mid-Suburban League track titles, and the Knights and Pirates are on a collision course for another big showdown. Prospect, the defending champions, are loaded once again this year. Sophomore Catherine Sherwood, who is the top seed in both the triple (36-03.75) and long jump (117-09.5), leads a deep and talented group of field athletes that includes junior Erin Reese (throws) and Jes Skudlarek (high jump). On the track the Knights will turn to its distance stars including senior Brooke Wolfe, senior Lauren Poplawski and junior Christina Santiago. Santiago has the top seed in the 800 (2:19.12) and the third-best time in the 1,600 (5:11.22). Palatine won three consecutive MSL titles before being derailed by Prospect last season. The Pirates enter the meet with a bit momentum after taking first at the Palatine Relays last Saturday. Junior Cassidy McPherson and junior Liz Cox lead a deep distance crew that includes senior Tess Wasowicz who has been slowed by foot injury this season. Palatine enters the meet with the top seed in the 3,200 relay (9:38.04). Sophomore Caitlin Riedy, sophomore Ashley Proska and senior Taylor Tenca have given the Pirates a big lift in the sprints. Senior Meg O’Brien (throws) and senior Meg Jump (jumps) have powered Palatine in the field. Senior Samantha Babiuk, sophomore Lauren Cropsey and freshman Anna Cossio have ignited Barrington this season. The Fillies hit a swift time in the 1,600 relay (4:04.4) and also enter with the top seed in 800 relay (1:47.80). A pair of freshmen have stepped into the spotlight for distance. Hoffman Estates’ Meagan Biddle has the top seed in the 1,600 (5:03.14), while Buffalo Grove freshman Kaitlyn Ko has the top mark in the 3,200 (10:56.04). Don’t miss the throws. Rolling Meadow senior Morgan Keller enters with the second-best mark in state for Class 3A for discus (145-10) and third-best mark in shot put (43-07). Sitting just above her in the shot put with the second-best mark in Class 3A is Hoffman Estates junior Banke Oginni (45-06). Senior Sydney Keith is ready for a big night for Wheeling. The Wildcat senior holds top seed in the 200 (26.02) and third-best mark in the 100 (12.77). Keith is also a member of the potent Wildcats 400 relay (49.80.). Hersey may make some noise as senior Michelle Brown (100 high hurdles) and sophomore Kelly Hill (pole vault) enter with top seeds. Fremd senior Leah Ferguson (100 dash), Schaumburg senior Tori Cappozziello (400) also hold top seeds.
— Michael Eaken