Girls cross country: Stevenson, Grant meet the sectional challenge
There is always a lot of pressure when the IHSA girls cross country sectional meet rolls around.
But Stevenson and Grant did not wilt under that pressure Saturday morning in the Class 3A Waukegan sectional, as the Patriots and Bulldogs both came through big-time on the 3-mile Waukegan Sports Park course to advance to their second straight state meet next weekend in Peoria.
Palatine took home the championship of the 18-team meet by a 74-90 margin over runner-up Hersey, while Stevenson locked up third place with 143 points after winning its first regional title in school history last weekend.
Grant captured fourth place with 159 points, while Schaumburg captured the fifth and final berth to Detweiller Park with 170 points. Libertyville wound up placing eighth with 204 points.
Stevenson's performance was led by the junior trio of Isabelle Sparreo in ninth, Gabriela Jagielo in 27th and Natalie Sparreo in 28th. Sophomore Kendall Roberts was the Patriots' fourth runner in 35th place.
"I'm really happy with how the girls packed up in the middle," Stevenson coach Maureen LeVanti said. "It wasn't our best meet, but we're looking to peak next week. A lot of them finished strong. We want top 10 (at state) for sure, and the key is that they are mentally ready and mentally tough."
Grant's pack was led by the sophomore duo of Danielle Osmon in seventh and Eva Cardy in 10th. The Bulldogs also got a 39th-place finish from junior Rachael Temple and a 49th from sophomore Jana Nehila.
It's Grant's second state berth in as many years.
"I'm proud of them," coach Jeff Durlak said of his Bulldogs. "They really grinded out the race. Danielle and Eva looked good. They finished where they thought they could finish."
Both Osmon and Cardy could make a push for one of the coveted all-state (top 25) places next weekend downstate. But the focus was all on the team Saturday.
"It's exciting, and teamwork is everything for us," Osmon said. "There were some great girls here. We just have to try to race our hardest next week at state."
Crystal Lake South's Caitlin Bruzzini captured the third of seven at-large berths to state with a fifth-place run. Dundee-Crown's Sylvia Waz (14th) also advanced.
After missing the regional meet due to illness last week, Libertyville junior Melissa Manetsch finished in 21st place, despite still not being at full strength. Libertyville's Maggie Shutts placed 37th followed by teammate Nora Tucker in 40th.
"It's tough because (Manetsch) has been sick going on two weeks now," Libertyville coach Bill Etnyre said. "She looked pretty good in practice, but when the race came today she really didn't feel like herself."
Cary-Grove's Allison Drage placed 20th, and Lake Zurich sophomore Emily Burns took 25th.
Class 2A
Belvidere North ran to the championship of the Belvidere sectional by a final score of 56-89 over second-place Vernon Hills.
Vernon Hills is still hoping to contend for another top-three trophy next weekend at state. Grayslake Central will also be heading downstate, as the Rams placed fifth with 212 points.
Vernon Hills' pack was led by Payton Makowskyj in 11th, Lauren Katz in 15th, Katie Wilkowski in 18th, Leah Wilkowski in 19th and Hannah Ray in 26th.
Grayslake Central was paced by Elizabeth Aho (28th), Leah Minsky (39th) and Megan Girmscheid (43rd).
Hampshire junior Sophia Oury was one of seven at-large individual qualifiers in 14th place.