Girls cross country: Higuchi strong down the stretch for Fremd

Fremd senior Ayako Higuchi had the finishing touch on Saturday at the Hoffman Estates Class 3A regional.

Just last week, Higuchi couldn't quite find the extra gear down the home stretch, finishing second to Palatine junior Kelly O'Brien at the Mid-Suburban League meet.

But the Vikings senior closed the door on Saturday, using one final burst in the final 20 meters to win the regional title in 18:08 to prevail after a stiff challenge from Prospect sophomore Brooke Wilson (18:10) on a sparkling fall morning at Busse Woods.

"Last week I was passed in the final 100 meters, so this week I wanted to finish fast," said Higuchi who came from behind to take the lead in the second half of the race. "I'm very happy with the finish and it gives me a lot of confidence."

Schaumburg also took a step forward. A week after finishing second in the MSL, the Saxons placed five runners in the top 12 in storming to its eighth regional title with 43 points.

Host Hoffman Estates nipped Fremd for second 78-79, with Prospect (109 points), Conant (130 points), and Wheeling (145 points) rounding out the top six team qualifiers. All six advance to the Schaumburg sectional at Busse Woods on Nov. 1.

Senior Ali Gutt (18:18) led the Saxons' charge by taking third. She was followed by sophomore Ellie O'Connell (18:44) in seventh. Senior Caroline Kurdej (18:50, 10th), senior Erin Falsey (18:54, 11th) and freshman Lauren Kubinski (18:55, 12th) put the finishing touches on the title.

"We felt we could all come together," said Gutt of the Saxons' performance. "We had a plan to build throughout the race and then finish strong."

The Saxons set the tone by getting out to a strong start, then finished the deal by grinding out the final mile. O'Connell, who finished 13th in Class 3A as a freshman, stepped up on Saturday and the back pack led by Kurdej held its position.

"Everyone did a good job and raced with a purpose," said O'Connell. "We started fast and really worked the second mile."

Hoffman Estates also did a nice job despite the absence of sophomore Misbah Bang. Senior Alondra Aguirre (18:27) led the Hawks with a fifth-place finish, aided by a 13th-place effort from junior Meagan Biddle (18:58).

Junior Carly Dagen (19:28), senior Yazmin Nunez (19:34) and junior Reena Prahbu (19:39) packed 19-through-21 in helping the Hawks hold off Fremd.

"We're feeling strong and we're feeling motivated," said Aguirre. "I feel we're peaking at the right time and ready to run our best race at sectionals."

Fremd once again started out conservatively and worked its way up through the race. Higuchi led the way but was aided by a strong charge from senior Katie Escobar (18:35, sixth) and senior Anita Grudzien (18:46, eighth).

"Our top three are looking strong," said Fremd coach Joe Marcin. "(Higuchi) has been running patient and smart and is feeling confident."

Wilson continued her strong showing in pacing Prospect. The sophomore held the lead early before going neck-and-neck with Higuchi the final 2 miles.

"If we finished a little earlier I might have had her, but she got me" said Wilson of her battle with Higuchi. "But I definitely feel like I'm headed into sectionals with confidence."

Senior Hannah Getschman (14th place) and sophomore Aileen White (24th) aided the Knights attack.

Conant sophomore Sydney Davis (18:22) is running with confidence, and it showed on Saturday. Last week she took 14th place in the MSL; she was fourth on Saturday in helping Conant to fifth place.

"I'm definitely starting to believe I can do it," said Davis who flashed her speed at both the start and finish.

Senior Abby Tripp (25th) contributed to the Cougars' effort.

Senior Aurora Mala (18:49) took ninth in helping Wheeling to its first sectional berth since 2006. Senior Aurora Figueroa (17th) and senior Hailey Dammeier (18th) aided the Wildcats.

Rolling Meadow junior Gabby Sanchez (19:16) finished 15th to lead the list of individual sectional qualifiers that included Elk Grove sophomore Emily Stegmeier (22nd), Hersey sophomore Claire Gritt (26th), Hersey sophomore Hailey Bowes (27th), and Elk Grove senior Anneliese Schulz (29th).

Palatine regional

Palatine girls cross country team continues to dominate.

The Pirates were coming off a commanding victory at the Mid-Suburban League meet, and they extended their postseason success story on Saturday.

The host Pirates placed five runners in the top nine and seven in the top 12 in cruising to the Class 3A Palatine regional title with 27 points at Deer Grove East.

Jacob senior Lauren Van Vlierbergen, who finished fourth in Class 3A last season, cruised to the individual title in 17:08.

But after that it was all Palatine.

Junior Kelly O'Brien, fresh off an MSL title, took second in 17:32. She was followed by senior Amy Kieliszewski (17:49), senior Megan Beach (18:08), junior Sam Lechowicz (18:23) and senior Kara Burton (18:24) in a 3-5-8-9 power pack as the Pirates won a 12th consecutive regional title and 23rd overall. Freshman Lauryn Simons (18:29, 10th) and sophomore Anna Burkstaff (18:35, 12th) also finished near the leaders.

Junior Caitlin Shepard (18:20) took seventh place to help Lake Zurich secure second place with 79 points.

Junior Lauren Conroy (18:14) and freshman Jocelyn Long (18:32) secured 6th and 11th place helping Barrington advance with a fifth-place team finish. Junior Arushi Agarwal aided the Fillies with a 24th-place finish.

Lake Park regional

Junior Lindsay Graham (16:44) and freshman Lindsey Paine (17:25) went 1-2 in powering defending Class 3 champion Glenbard West to the Class 3A Lake Park regional title in Roselle. Junior Estefania Ramirez (20:10), junior Katherine Hinojosa (20:24), and junior Evelyn Hernandez (21:01) advanced as individual qualifiers as Leyden finished seventh.

Class 1A Luther North regional

Christian Liberty Academy sophomore Isabella Wolke cruised to the Class 1A Chicago Luther North regional title in 19:06 at LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve. Last year, Wolke took 43rd place in Class 1A, and the sophomore is looking for bigger things this year. She advances as an individual to the Lisle sectional on Nov 1.

Junior Maeve Dunaway (19:39) took second leading Des Plaines Willow Academy to the team title with 23 points.