Color this meet a cancer-fighting success
Monday afternoon's North Suburban Conference double-dual meet was much more than just another 3-mile race for the Warren girls cross country team.
Wearing pink t-shirts, the Blue Devils hosted a "Pink Race" to show their support for people in Lake County who have been affected by cancer, including a few current members of Warren's varsity squad.
Lake Forest was very impressive in winning the meet 21-38 over Warren (3-1 in NSC Lake Division) as the Scouts now have the inside track on the division title with a perfect 4-0 record.
Stevenson (3-5, 1-4) fell to Lake Forest 20-41 while the Blue Devils defeated the Patriots' young team by a final score of 20-41.
Cool weather quickly settled upon the area as the girls race unfolded, and it was Warren senior Becky Haight who pulled away down the stretch to win in 17:26 before she collapsed from exhaustion right after the finish.
But it didn't take too long for Haight to get back on her feet, put a smile on her face and be pretty happy about the Blue Devils' recent fundraising from the t-shirts and the headbands from the girls volleyball team with proceeds going to help support cancer research and aid local people affected by cancer.
Warren also got an eighth-place finish from junior Emily Jahn, and a 10th from senior Sammi Jo Nixon, whose mother Susan is on the road to recovery from breast cancer.
"We're doing this to support her mom, and I have a friend who has cancer (Pat Cosme), so I had her name on my t-shirt today too," said Haight, who said she never ran this fast before in her life following her p.r. Monday. "I'm happy to win today, and I've been doing the t-shirts and the volleyball head bands proceeds are going to a local cancer organization to support local people with cancer."
The "feel good" meet was very special for Sammi Jo Nixon as her Mom and father (Dennis) were in attendance to see the Blue Devils give it their all for a really good cause.
"We're a really close team, it's like a family, she (Susan) is on the road to recovery, and she's doing great right now," said Sammi Jo, who may be attending a college a little closer to home now. "They had a fundraiser with these t-shirts and there are a lot of people on the team who have known people with cancer and they all talk to my Mom and give her support."
Susan Nixon was ecstatic following the meet and said she really appreciates all of the support the Warren girls cross country program has given her since the beginning of 2014 when she was diagnosed.
"These girls are an inspiration for anybody going through cancer and they're just very supportive," said Susan Nixon, who is very optimistic now looking ahead to the future. "I'm going to be just fine and I'm very confident as long as I stay active, eat right, and keep a positive attitude."
Warren's pack also showed some pretty good depth from Brooke Wilt in 13th, Michelle Klimt in 14th, and Elizabeth Abundes in 17th.
"It's nice to go out and show support not only for people in our program, but within our community too, and some of the proceeds will go to the Lake County Cancer Center," said Warren coach Brett Heimstead. "Becky (Haight) improved her time from the invite here, and she made a move in the middle of the meet."
Stevenson's pack was led by freshman Isabelle Sparreo in fourth and junior teammate Jessica Philipp in sixth. Freshman Shea Kirby placed 16th for the Patriots.
"We have a very young team and we just came off the Palatine Invite so they're a little bit sore," said Stevenson coach Maureen LeVanti. "We do something in October (for cancer support) as well, and we wear pink shoe laces at the conference meet so I support the cause."