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Girls track: Naperville North's Pendergast runs nation's fastest 3,200 meters

Judy Pendergast was simply disdainful of any sense of tactics in her two races Saturday in Glen Ellyn.

The Harvard-bound Pendergast, a Naperville North senior, shattered her year-old meet record at the Sue Pariseau Invitational at Glenbard West by running the fastest time in the nation this spring, 10:07.18.

Glenbard West distance runner Lindsey Payne would have been a state champion on several occasions over the last decade-plus with her 3,200 time of 10 minutes, 29.8 seconds.

But the Hilltoppers' sophomore was not even within dozens of meters of the Pendergast, the defending state champion.

Pendergast came back to win the 1,600 in another meet record of 4:51.99.

“I felt pretty good in the 2-mile,” Pendergast said. “I wasn't going for a (personal-low time), because I wanted to save some energy for the mile.”

Woodstock immortal Kayla Beattie (9:56.96 at the 2011 Class 2A finals) is the only girl in state history to break the 10-minute barrier in the event.

“I think it would be a nice target to keep an eye on,” said Pendergast, the all-time record holder in cross country. “(I have) a lot of support from my teammates; that makes it a lot better.”

“She is unlike any runner we have ever had,” Naperville North cross country and track distance coach Dan Iverson said. “Judy is a special kid. I can't control whether she is the No. 1 kid in the country or not. She is a great citizen of our school.”

Oak Park-River Forest won the 14-team invitational with 106.5 points. Naperville North scored 87.5 to edge Hinsdale Central and Barrington for second.

Geneva, Glenbard West, Lake Zurich, Wheaton North, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, Hersey, Proviso East, Willowbrook and Sandburg rounded out the field.

“It was a great challenge (to run against Pendergast),” said Payne, third in the 1,600. “It was a great opportunity. I am really blessed to have such great competition. I got to double today; I have never done that before.”

The top six competitors in the 3,200 run were sub-10:55.

Naperville North received its other championship from thrower Sarah Wastek; the sophomore denied Wheaton North junior Shea Brown by less than 2 inches with her winning effort of 38-3.25 in the shot put.

Hinsdale Central senior Annie Zaher was the 2014 1,600 state champion.

After missing virtually her entire junior year, the Cornell-bound Zaher gave the Red Devils' 3,200 relay a lead never to be relinquished on the opening leg.

Zaher returned to win the open 800 in 2:16.6.

The Red Devils' standout edged Wheaton North returning state qualifier Naomi Noyes in the process.

“The first 400 (meters of the 800) is finding your pace and getting a good spot in the pack,” said Noyes, who set a new personal low with her 2:19.23. “For the third 200 it is really key to get a good time. That is where a lot of people slow down.”

Hinsdale Central senior Katie Sluman was the Red Devils' sprint maven, winning the 100 dash and providing the spark to two runner-up relays.

“Coming into it, I haven't run the 100 outdoors yet,” the daughter of former PGA champion Jeff Sluman said. “They just kind of guesstimated a (seed) time. I ended up winning it, which is pretty cool, and I think I got a state-qualifying time (12.51).”

Glenbard West junior Janie Nabholz was second at 400 meters.

Geneva was leading the invitational at various stages.

McKenzie Altmayer, the Vikings' Syracuse-bound senior leader, was one of several distance runners overshadowed by the Pendergast onslaught.

But Altmayer still had a productive afternoon, setting a new personal record in placing third in the 3,200 and settling for fourth at 1,600 meters.

“(Pendergast) is so ridiculous,” Altmayer said. “I checked heat sheets a couple days back to see if she was in (the 3,200). Part of me was excited — ‘Oh, I get to race against her again' — and then part of me was like, ‘Oh, my God.' I am doing very well for myself. I got to 150 (meters) left (in the 1,600) and locked up so much. I have to work on finishing strong. I think it was a good learning experience.”

Kristin Higgins continues to make a name for herself in the high jump.

For the second straight weekend invitational the Vikings' junior cleared 5 feet, 6 inches to claim the title.

“I missed (5-6) once and then cleared it on the second attempt,” Higgins said. “I was really excited to get it. I kept hitting (the bar) off with my leg (at 5-7.5). I was really close to it. This season I really, really, really want to hit 5-8. That's my goal for the season.”

Shannon Callahan was third for Geneva in the high jump.

Ndidi Ukaobasi is the face of the Vikings' sprinting corps.

The senior was runner-up to Sluman in the 100 dash, third at 200 meters and anchored the Vikings' 400 relay to fifth place.

“I think I did really well,” Ukaobasi said. “The outdoor season has been building up. I have been improving constantly.”

“Overall, I'm pleased,” Geneva coach Peter Raak said. “Coming into this meet, it's always one of the meets we circle on the calendar. We're competing with some of the big dogs in state. We want to test ourselves and see how we stack up. We kind of use this meet as a springboard to the big meets of the season.”

  McKenzie Altmayer of Geneva ran a strong 3200 during the Glenbard West girls track invitational Saturday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Lindsey Payne of Glenbard West puls away during the 3200 at the Glenbard West girls track invitational Saturday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Jocelyn Long of Barrington gives it her all during the Glenbard West girls track invitational Saturday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Georgia Reed and Kristin Higgins of Geneva run the 100 meter high hurdles during the Glenbard West girls track invitational Saturday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Nidii Ukaobasi, of Geneva,Kelsey McLaurin, of Barrington, and Georgia Adam of Lake Zurich run the 100 meter dash during the Glenbard West girls track invitational Saturday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
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