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Glenbard West's Graham runs away from field

Lindsay Graham impersonated Madeline Perez to the letter Saturday afternoon in Glen Ellyn.

Perez, the Glenbard West defending Class 3A girls track and field state champion at 1,600 and 3,200 meters, has yet to make her outdoor season debut this spring.

But Graham, the Hilltoppers' sophomore transfer from Glenbard East, more than answered the call of the Georgetown-bound Perez.

At the Sue Pariseau Invitational, Graham ran a pair of strategically flawless races in claiming the titles at the two longest open distances.

After seizing command of the 3,200 run on the seventh lap to win in 10 minutes, 54.07 seconds, Graham returned with a flourish at 1,600 meters.

Hinsdale Central sophomore Anne Zaher and Naperville North runners Claire Hamilton and Emory Griffin led Graham by a shoulder-plus heading into the gun lap.

But Graham took little time to pass both Naperville North athletes before turning her attention to Zaher.

"I didn't want people using me to block the wind," Graham said.

Graham took the lead for good with 250 meters remaining, claiming the second title in 5:11.39.

"My plan for both races was to have as little wind as possible," Graham said. "I didn't have good times in either race, but I raced tactically - and that's important."

Kelly Hass wears many hats during the course of the Hilltoppers' traditionally loaded invitational, and the Glenbard West coach had a similar viewpoint.

"Lindsay is young, but she is learning from her head and not her heart," Hass said. "To me that was the difference today. She ran so smart and had two solid races."

Perez, the all-time state-record holder in cross country and twin track state champion, is expected back soon from a school-year-long nagging foot injury.

"(West Suburban Silver) Conference for sure, but hopefully Friday (at WW South)," Hass said. "She will be back."

Whitney Young claimed wins in seven of the 18 events, but Barrington dominated the team title with two relay victories, an equal number of field champions and double-scoring in several events to defeat the Public League power by more than 50 points.

Naperville North edged Oak Park-River Forest for third.

Glenbard West, Willowbrook, York, Geneva, Wheeling, Hinsdale Central, Wheaton North, Hersey and Lake Zurich also were in the 16-team field.

Willowbrook crowned a pair of champions.

Molly Krawczykowski, the Warriors' Illinois State-bound returning all-state 800 runner, captured her specialty event in 2:19.85.

"My goal was pretty much to get out in front and try and control the race at my own pace," Krawczykowski said. "It happened pretty well today."

The senior was also instrumental to the Warriors' solid finish in the 3,200 relay.

"I take (the relay) pretty seriously, because I think our team has a good chance to make it to state," Krawczykowski said. "It's a big deal for us."

Sprinter Taylor Burton was third at both 100 and 200 meters for Willowbrook.

Naperville North, as usual, was led by its star-studded distance crew.

Elly DeTurris and Maria McDaniel were second and third to Graham at 3,200 meters to augment the collective performance of Hamilton and Griffin at 1,600.

"The distance girls today had had some really strong performances, especially with the wind," Naperville North coach Joanna Wilson said. "I thought we had a really nice day. We're making improvements."

Abby Waltz had the last local championship as the York junior won the pole vault on criteria at 10 feet, 6 inches.

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