Palatine meets Barrington's challenge
Palatine's girls cross country team was coming off an impressive third-place finish in a loaded field at the Hinsdale Central Invite just last weekend.
And on a sloppy Wednesday, the Pirates continued their march forward at Barrington.
Junior Kelly O'Brien ran uncontested to a first-place finish in 18:39, leading Palatine to a 23-33 Mid-Suburban West dual meet victory over host Barrington at Beese Park.
"You always expect Barrington to get after it, and today they were here to race," said Palatine coach Joe Parks of the challenge his team got. "We had our hands full. It may not be pretty, but hopefully we'll continue to do what we've been doing."
The Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches poll had Palatine ranked No. 4 in its first-week rankings, and the Pirates looked like they deserve it after battling the Fillies in the first mile before pulling away over the last 2 to secure the victory.
O'Brien led from start to finish. The junior finished fourth in a loaded field at Hinsdale that included the state's top two Class 3A returning runners.
"We need this experience," said O'Brien of the Pirates' tough opening stretch. "I definitely have stuff I want to improve on, and now I have experience on where I need to focus."
Senior Amy Kieliszewski (19:23), freshman Lauryn Simon (19:49), junior Sam Lechowicz (19:51), and senior Megan Beach (19:54) powered Palatine's second surge, taking fourth through seventh place.
It was Simon's first varsity race, and the freshman added another piece to a talented team.
" It was really exciting," said Simon. "I was just keying off of Sam (Lechowicz) - it feels great."
Barrington is also making some noise this season. The Fillies were third at the St. Charles East Invite on Saturday and looked impressive in the early going Wednesday.
Lauren Conroy, the 2012 MSL champion, looks to be back in form after various health-related setbacks last season. The junior took second in 18:59 and was followed by talented freshman Jocelyn Long (19:04), giving the Fillies two impressive front runners.
"Last year I was a little bit scared coming off a freshman season when I did so well," said Conroy who took 19th in Class 3A as a freshman. "But now I'm over that and I'm ready to go out there and do my thing, do what I'm supposed to do."
Freshman Cailtin Feely (20:02) and senior Lauren Cropsey (20:07) gave this Fillies support in eighth and ninth place.
Barrington will have another tough challenge this weekend at the First to the Finish Line at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
"The girls are starting to believe in themselves," said Barrington coach Deb Revolta. "They are working hard and are seeing things come together. That's what it's all about."