Track and field: Huntley sweeps McHenry County titles
The Huntley girls track and field team broke Cary-Grove's streak of 7 straight McHenry County titles while the Red Raider boys cruised to a fifth straight county championship.
That was the story line at Huntley High School Friday night.
The girls scored 128 points to dethrone Cary-Grove who finished second with 108 points.
"It is a great feeling to finally win the county title," said Huntley coach Shawn Nordeen. "We have had a lot of second place finishes. We talk about winning the big 3 meets county, conference (Fox Valley) and sectionals. Tonight was one step toward attaining those goals. It was a team effort."
Cassidy Lackovic, who was the lone individual champion for the Red Raiders, claimed top honors in the 100 with a clocking of 12.68.
Huntley compiled 3 first place finishes in the relays, winning the 3,200 (9:42.90), 400 (50.48) and 1,600 (4:15.45).
The Red Raider boys dominated the field with 177.5 points while Jacobs was a distant second with 88 points.
"Everything went our way," said Huntley coach Jim Rolando. "We had some tremendous individual performances and swept the relays."
Huntley posted 4 first place finishes on Thursday with Sean Patel (triple jump, long jump) and Tim McCloyn (discus, shot put) each winning 2 events.
The Red Raiders won all 4 relays. They captured top honors in the 3,200 relay (7:57.06), 400 relay (42.75), 800 relay (129.98) and 1,600 relay (3:28.5).
On Friday the Red Raiders got first place efforts from Sam Pitrone (300 hurdles, 40.46), Jeremie Allen (200, 22.24), Dubem Anikamadu (100, 11.04) and Keagan Smith (800, 1:55.75).
"I felt I ran strong," said Smith. "It was a good night to run,"
On the girls side, second place Cary-Grove got all their first place finishes on Thursday with Nikki Freeman winning the discus and shot put and Tabor Gleeson won the high jump.
Jacobs was fourth with 72 points.
Caleigh Walsh won the 100 hurdles in a time of 15.84.
"I was disappointed I didn't win the long jump yesterday," said Walsh. "I was pleased with my effort in the 100 hurdles."
Crystal Lake South, fifth with 67 points, was led by distance standout Caitlin Bruzzini who won the 3,200 (11:38.09) and 1,600 (5:20.62).
"I am happy to win both events especially since there are so many good runners," said Bruzzini. "It was a good night."
The Lady Gators also got a first place effort from Cailey Ciezadlo (200, 26.29) and from the 800 relay team (1:50.15).
On the boys side, Crystal Lake South was third with 80 points while Cary-Grove tied Prairie Ridge for sixth place with 44 points.