Lead role to O'Brien, Palatine at MSL meet
Palatine's Kelly O'Brien is used to the spotlight, and the Pirates junior was definitely shining brightly in her own right Saturday at the Mark Saylor Mid-Suburban League girls track and field indoor meet.
O'Brien earned two state medals last season, including taking second in the 1,600. She continued to impress in the fall by finishing third at the Class 3A cross country state meet.
O'Brien kept things rolling on Saturday, taking first in the 800-meter run (2:17.42) and 1,600 (5:05.91) in powering the Pirates to the title with 117.5 points at North Central College in Naperville.
"She (O'Brien ) has the experience, but now she is learning how to deal with expectations," said Palatine coach Joe Parks of his junior star. "We had a lot of girls step up today and we are looking to keep getting better."
Barrington took second with 97.5 points followed by Prospect (68 points), Fremd (44 points), and Hoffman Estates (42 points).
O'Brien was in prime form in leading the Pirates' attack, cruising to a victory in the 800. She had bit more of a challenge in the 1,600 before pulling away from Fremd senior Ayako Higuchi (5:11.17) and Prospect sophomore Brooke Wilson (5:11.50).
"Now it's about making something from where I'm at," said O'Brien of her experience. "As a team we're growing together and looking to keep improving."
Senior Gabbi Heidrich added to the Pirates' effort by taking first in the long jump (17 feet, 3 inhces) and triple jump (34-07).
Senior Megan Beach also gave Palatine a lift by taking first in the 3,200 (11:21.73).
Defending MSL outdoor champion Barrington also looked pretty impressive, especially in the sprints.
Senior Nina Hodges gave the Fillies a huge lift by taking first in the 55 dash (7.46), nipping Buffalo Grove freshman Nya Carr (7.47) at the line. Hodges then came back to take first in the 200 (26.33).
Hodges combined with freshman Eleni Filley, senior Liz Nykaza, and sophomore Kelsey McLaurin in powering the Fillies to a first-place finish in the 800 relay (1:45).
But Barrington really opened some eyes with its first place finish in the 1,600 relay (3:58.80).
Junior Anna Cossio, junior Sara-Kate Capel and sophomore Addison Coy combined with McLaurin to power the Fillies to the meet-ending relay victory.
"We've just been training so hard and we do it as a team," said Coy who also added an impressive first place finish in the 400 (59.02). "Last year definitely motivates us and we just want to keep improving."
"It's really exciting, we've been hunting for a p.r. (personal best) and we got it," said McLaurin.
Prospect junior Maya Mason had a breakout season last year, earning a sixth-place state medal in the 100 high hurdles. She is looking to build off that finish this year and she gave the Knights a big lift by taking first in the 55 hurdles (8.49) on Saturday.
"It's so much different now that I have the state medal," said Mason who worked hard in the off-season to polish her form. "I know what to expect and definitely enter the season with more confidence."
Prospect junior Jes Skudlarek (5-05) and junior Cassidy Selep (5-03) added to the Knights attack by going 1-2 in the high jump.
Fremd finished eighth in the 3,200 relay at last season state meet and the Vikings are looking to build off that finish this year. They took a step in the right direction on Saturday.
Higuchi, who finished third in the 1,600 in Class 3A last season, combined with senior Katie Escobar, senior Lauren Ciardiello, and junior Nora Finegan in pushing the Vikings to a first-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:26.77) on Saturday.
The Viking also added a second-place finish in the 1,600 relay (4:05.6).
Hersey senior Kelly Hill continued to dominate in the pole vault, clearing 10-06 to give the Huskies a first-place finish.
Wheeling senior Alanah Greenberg took first in the shot put (39-07) to aid the Wildcats.