Girls cross country: Fine finishes for Prospect's Wilson, Barrington's Long
PEORIA - Prospect junior Brooke Wilson and Barrington sophomore Joceyln Long definitely had reason to smile on Saturday after the Class 3A girls cross country state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Wilson has turned it on in a big way this postseason and was coming off titles at the Mid-Suburban League meet, Hoffman Estates regional and Schaumburg sectional. She kept it going on Saturday, grinding out the final mile to secure a third-place finish in 16:34 to earn her second consecutive state medal.
"She is just a heck of a competitor," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute. "She says she likes to make it hurt, and she definitely made it hurt today - but she's feeling better every moment now."
Long started the season strong and hasn't had a letdown. On Saturday, the Fillies sophomore got off to a fast start and didn't look back in securing a fifth-place finish and securing her first cross country state medal.
"She needed to get out strong, and she did that," said Barrington coach Debbie Revolta. "She has run in a lot of big races, so that helped. And she ran smart today."
Minooka won the Class 3A state title with 132 points, followed by defending champion Naperville North (148 points) and Batavia (175 points).
Naperville North senior Judy Pendergast won the Class 3A individual title in a record time of 15:54, becoming the first girl to go under the 16-minute mark.
While Pendergast certainly set the tone, Wilson was not too far off the pace. The Knights junior ran a relaxed first mile before switching gears and then making a final surge in the last 800 meters.
"My legs were feeling like jello, but I was right there and knew I had to stick it out," said Wilson. "I've been gaining confidence since conference, and my goal today was a top five finish. It feels amazing."
Long jumped out to a strong start and then maintained her position. The Fillies sophomore looked strong entering the final stretch in securing her top-five finish.
"Best race I've had all season," said Long. "I had high hopes, I just couldn't be happier."
Schaumburg sophomore Maddie Marasco (16:57) also entered the state meet with a bit of momentum. The Saxon sophomore gained a strong early position, then pushed it at the end in securing 16th place and her first state medal.
"I'm really excited with a top 25 finish," said Marasco, who had been slowed by an injury her freshman year. "I'm just happy to be running healthy. I was aiming to just do the best that I could, but to get a state medal is awesome."
Palatine senior Sam Lechowicz (17:13) has also been reaching new highs this season, and the Pirates senior reach a new one with a 24th-place finish and a state medal on Saturday.
"This was definitely my goal," said Lechowicz of her push for a state medal. "I made a commitment early in the race to do it and it happened."
Barrington finished 16th with 363 points, with Palatine finished 23rd with 520 points.
Yorkville won the Class 2A title with 58 points, with Peoria Notre Dame senior Maryjeanne Gilbert running to the Class 2A individual title in 16:24.
Christian Liberty Academy junior Isabella Wolke started the season coming back from a stress fracture, she ended it with her second consecutive state medal. Wolke (18:07) jumped out to a strong start then hung on in the final mile to secure 15th place in Class 1A.
"It feels good to be able to run from the top," said Wolke, who finished ninth in Class 1A last season. "I started the season a little behind, but I was able to finish strong."
Tolono won the Class 1A title with 130 points, with Effingham St. Anthony Anna Sophi Keller winning in 16:21.