Once again, Glenbard West is best
Glenbard West just keeps rolling.
Last year, the Hilltoppers won the Class 3A girls cross country state title, and they haven't missed a beat in starting this season.
The previous weekend, Glenbard West ran to impressive victory in a loaded Hinsdale Central Invite, and the Hilltoppers kept it going on Saturday at the 40th annual Harvey Braus Invitiational at Lake Park in Roselle.
Junior Lindsay Graham took control of the race in the second mile and cruised to the individual title in 16:49, powering Glenbard West to the team title with 27 points.
"We're just trying to improve each week, and that is what we did today," said Glenbard West coach Paul Haas, whose team is currently ranked No. 1 in the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches poll. "I think pack is what makes the team."
Schaumburg took second with 89 points followed by Hoffman Estates (94 points), St. Charles East (120 points), and Downers Grove North (132 points).
Streamwood senior Gabby Juarez (17:07) nipped St. Charles North freshman Audrey Ernst (17:07) for second place.
Graham made separation from the front pack in the second mile and kept the pressure on in the third mile to win the meet with a comfortable 18-second cushion.
"I was feeling good in the second mile, so I figured why not make a gap?" said Graham, a two-time state medalist who was slowed by a knee injury last season. "I wouldn't say things are coming easier, but as I get more experience I feel like I can rise to the challenge."
Glenbard West then showed its talented pack running as senior Lisa Luczak (17:16), sophomore Janie Nabholz (17:46), and junior Kathryn Kenwood (17:49) went 4-5-6. Junior Grace Rogers (18:01) completed the scoring by taking 11th place for the Hilltoppers.
"We really raced as a team today," said Luczak. "We are not focusing on any other team, we are just focusing on ourselves."
Nabloz and Kenwood have definitely given the Hilltoppers a major early season boost. Both gained valuable experience in last season championship run.
"They know what to expect this season and their comfort level has increased ... they know what's coming," added Haas.
Juarez and Ernst, meanwhile, continued their early season battle. Ernst, the St. Charles North freshman sensation, got the better of Juarez at the Elgin Invite but the Streamwood senior used a final surge to nip Ernst on Saturday.
"The key was moving up in the race and gaining ground," said Juarez, who captured a pair of state track medals last spring with seventh-place finish in the 3,200 and a ninth-place finish in the 1,600. "The track season has given me more experience and confidence. Definitely, I'm a stronger runner now."
Schaumburg, ranked No. 9 in the ITCCCP flexed its pack running in securing second place. Senior Erin Falsey (18:02), freshman Lauren Kubinski (18:16), and sophomore Ellie O'Connell (18:18) combined to take 12th, 13th, and 15th place in pacing the Saxons.
"We wanted to string it together today and work off each other," said Falsey. "We're really excited and I think this is a good start."
Sophomore Valerie Shackelton (18:34) and senior Caroline Kurdej (18:35) took 23rd and 26th place to keep the Saxons moving.
"We stuck together and finished really strong," said Schaumburg coach Courtney Smith, "We're continuing to work on our game plan and race strategy. It's all coming together."
Hoffman Estates, ranked No. 13 in the ITCCCP, also flashed a strong pack, with junior Meagan Biddle (17:53) leading the way with an eighth-place finish.
Senior Alondra Aguirre (18:17) and sophomore Misbah Baig (18:19) used a fast start to take 14th and 16th place.
Biddle, Aguirre, and Baig set the tone early cruising through the first mile in the top 10.
"It helped knowing my team was behind me and running great," said Biddle. "I feel like this team will get better as the season progresses and we get more experience."
Senior Yazmin Nunez (18:34) and junior Reena Prahbu (18:48) completed the Hawks' scoring by taking 25th and 32nd place.
"We ran a great effort," said Hoffman Estate coach Kirk Macnider. "That's all we've talked about all season is running together, and we will get better every week."
St. Charles East senior Torree Scull (17:51) paced the Saints by taking seventh place. Sophomore Anastasia Honea (18:23) and Senior Anna Arrick (18:25) led the team's second wave, taking 17th and 19th place.
"As a team we didn't run our best race today, but we all gave good effort," said Scull, whose team is ranked No. 10 in the ITCCCP. "Indvidually I wasn't feeling my best, I tried to stay connect to the lead pack for as long as I could."
Sophomore Emma Moravec (17:56) took ninth place to lead Downers Grove North to fifth place. Junior Grace Maletich (18:32) and junior Angela Budach (18:34) took 21st and 24th place for Downers North.
Sophomore Brooke Wilson (17:56) ran a strong race in taking 10th place and leading Prospect to a sixth-place finish. Senior Hannah Getschman (18:33) also aided the Knights attack by taking 22nd place.