Harper women are in the NJCAA running
After not having enough runners to compete as a team the past two seasons and then starting this fall ranked just inside the top 10 in the NJCAA polls, the Harper women's cross country team has achieved a major milestone.
The Hawks now share the top spot in the poll with Mohawk Valley Community College.
Most recently, the Hawks competed in the College of Dupage Invitational, running to a 13th-place finish, which was tops among the community colleges competing.
Wheeling graduate Lori Delfin was the Hawks' top finisher (50th, in 20:10.50). Close behind was teammate Silvia Catalan (Palatine) in a career-best 20:18.92. Good for for 56th place.
Itzel Sotelo (Palatine), Cynthia Siddiqui (Palatine) and Maria Barajas (Schaumburg) rounded out Harper's top five. Another personal-best was run by Kaeley Melaniphy (Barrington).
The Hawks return to action at St. James Farm Forest Preserve on Oct. 10 for the Benedictine University Eagle Invitational.
• The three-time defending NJCAA Divison III men's cross country champions keep rolling.
Harper's men's cross country team finished fourth at College of Dupage last weekend. Nineteen teams took part in the meet, including NCAA Division I schools such as Loyola, Illinois-Chicago and Chicago State. The Hawks, who have the top spot in the NJCAA poll, were the top-placing community college team.
Sophomore Juan Barajas (Schaumburg) paced the Hawks, finishing ninth in 26:30.97. Next for Harper were Zach Stella (Palatine, 21st), Brennan Albuck (Hoffman Estates, 23rd) and Adam Brauer (Palatine, 28th). Freshman Will Troman capped the scoring in 62nd (28:20.79) and was followed by Emil Kozakiewicz (Palatine) and Omar Alhayek (Schaumburg).
Illinois-Chicago won the men's team competition with five runners in the top 14.
The men will also compete in the Benedictine Invitational on Oct. 10.
• It has been difficult sledding recently for the women's soccer team (2-5 overall, 2-4 North Central Community College Conference), as the Hawks have been shut out in three of their last four games.
The mood around the team has stayed upbeat despite a late-game 1-0 loss Tuesday to College of DuPage. That contest marked the first time since a 1-0 win at Joliet Junior College on Sept. 17 that the Hawks have conceded 3 or fewer goals.
Harper's goalie play has been exceptional. Nicole Soderholm (Buffalo Grove) is fourth nationally in total saves with 104, just behind Joliet Junior College's Maura Alroth (111).
• The men's soccer team is 1-1 so far this week. The Hawks won 1-0 Wednesday against Madison Area Technical College to improved to 5-4-2 overall and 3-4-1 in the N4C heading into Saturday's game against Waubonsee Community College.
Midfielder Matt Shadel (Schaumburg) continues his solid season, scoring one of his team's 2 goals this week. Shadel and Juan Hernandez are second on the team in goals with 9.
• At the Wisconsin-Whitewater invitational last weekend, the Hawks' women's volleyball team went 1-2. The positive for Harper was that both losses came against NJCAA Division III junior varsity squads (Wisconsin-Whitewater and Elmhurst).
In between those setbacks, the Hawks were able to beat Joliet Junior College in straight sets.
The Hawks and Wolves met again Tuesday in N4C play, and the Hawks won again in straight sets.
On Thursday, the Hawks defeated Oakton 25-19, 19-25, 25-19, 25-20. Harper was led offensively by Kim Butler (Palatine) and Daniele Sortino (Elk Grove) with 10 kills. Lindsey Murphy handed out 22 assists, and Meghan Chartier helped the defense by collecting 25 digs as the Hawks improved to 19-7 overall.