Girls cross country: Palatine targeting national appearance
A season ago, the Palatine girls cross country team had it share of near misses. But the Pirates have been right on target this season.
Last year Palatine missed a Class 3A state trophy by one spot, finishing in fourth place, then missed qualifying for the Nike Cross National by finishing third at the Midwest regional.
This year Palatine took second in Class 3A on Nov. 8 and then took third at the Nike Cross Regional in Terra Haute, Ind., on Nov. 16, finishing behind Indiana state champion Carmel and Illinois Class 3A state champion Naperville North.
There were nine regional meets and the top two teams automatically qualified. The third- and fourth-place teams from each regional were eligible for one of the four at-large invitations.
On Saturday, Palatine was awarded one of the at-large bids and will be among the 22 teams to compete at the Nike Cross Nationals at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore., at 10:05 a.m. Saturday.
It will mark the third time in six years that Palatine will compete at the Nike National.
"After not making it last year we were so ecstatic, screaming and yelling," said Palatine senior Amy Kieliszewski of her team's reaction upon receiving the news. "We probably woke up the neighbors, we were so excited."
Junior Kelly O'Brien (17:50), who finished third in Class 3A, continued to lead Palatine at the Nike Cross Regionals, taking seventh place and earning all Midwest honors. She was followed by Kieliszewski (18:15), senior Megan Beach (18:23), junior Sam Lechowicz (18:39) and senior Kara Burton (18:42). Freshman Lauryn Simons (19:11) and sophomore Anna Buckstaff (19:38) also contributed to the Palatine attack.
Palatine finished 18 points behind Naperville North at the Class 3A state meet, but narrowed the gap at the Midwest regional meet, finishing only 6 points behind Naperville North and 16 points behind Carmel.
Dyestat currently has Palatine ranked No. 5 nationally.
IHSA rules prohibit Palatine coach Joe Parks from directing his team, but the transition has been smooth with former Palatine boys cross country coach and track coach Fred Miller taking command.
"Ever since the conference meet the team has gotten a bit better each week," said Miller who graduated from Palatine in 1972 and was inducted into the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006. "The Midwest regional was the high point of the season. We are excited to see how we stack up nationally."
"Looking at the top seven now, none of us would have guessed it in the summer," said Kieliszewski, "but we've all worked hard, we're confident, and it has come together. It's like a dream come true."