Naperville North ends championship drought

CHARLESTON - Naperville North has produced scores of all-state performers in girls track and field since opening its doors for the 1975-76 school year.

Not only that, but the Huskies have had a girls cross country program rivaled by few during the period.

But there was a glaring omission to the Huskies' collective girls track pedigree: an individual or relay state champion.

It was exorcised in two of the first three running finals Saturday at the Class 3A state finals at Eastern Illinois University - in both departments.

In the first event of the running finals, prized Naperville North sophomore Claire Hamilton and Torree Scull, the anchor for defending state champion St. Charles East, were deadlocked at the gun lap of the 3,200-meter relay.

There were four other runners only meters apart.

But Hamilton overcame all opposition over the last 400 meters to give Naperville North the triumph in 9 minutes, 11.63 seconds.

"It was dropping the hammer at the 400 (mark)," Hamilton said of the difference. "My coach (Dan Iverson) was telling me do the first 200 (meters under control), and then start competing. I was running too fast to slow down."

Jenny Gibson, Elly DeTurris, the Huskies' Missouri-bound four-time all-stater, and Emory Griffin rounded out the historic quartet for Naperville North.

"I knew that we had not come that close to first before," DeTurris said. "We just put everything out there today. I am so thankful to my teammates and coaches."

Naperville North wasn't done winning championships, however.

Judy Pendergast was the top seed at 3,200 meters for the Huskies.

The junior was rarely far from the lead over the first half of the race.

But Plainfield North junior Rachael Lau, the second-rated performer at the distance, was more than pesky.

"I knew (Lau) was going to stick with me," Pendergast said. "She is an amazing runner."

But Pendergast had too much in reserve and gradually freed herself over the last 800 meters to win in 10:35.15.

It marked the fourth consecutive year a local girl had won the event.

"Our (distance) team is as strong as ever," Pendergast said. "We push each other so hard. It was a team effort today. I'm glad I could help with that."

Sarah Schmitt eased within the 11-minute with equal grace to give the Huskies the last of their 24 total points with her sixth-place finish.

Naperville North finished ninth in the team standings.

Hamilton and DeTurris also made the finals in the 1,600 run but failed to place in the race won by fellow cross country standout Gabby Juarez of Streamwood.

"They're definitely amazing runners," Juarez said of the Huskies' seasoned athletes in the two sports. "They all have wonderful experience. There wasn't much I could do against them (in cross country)."