Girls track: Hoffman Estates relay is finding its form

The pieces seem to be falling into place for Hoffman Estates' 1,600 relay.

On Tuesday, the Hawks ran a swift 4:03.90 in capturing first place at the Mid-Suburban League West Division girls track and field meet.

And the Hawks didn't have a letdown on Friday night at the 26th annual Cougar Twilight meet at Conant.

Senior Monraia Wilson, sophomore Mikkaela Palmer, senior Katie Bonney and sophomore Anna Miller combined to lead Hoffman to first place in the 1,600 relay in another impressive time of 4:04.03.

"We've got the pieces," said Hoffman Estates coach Kirk Macnider of his impressive relay. "We ran a different squad tonight and they still hit. We've got big goals and the kids are hungry."

Miller who finished second in the 800 (2:20.78) anchored the Hawks' quarter and secured the victory.

"It's amazing," said Miller. "We've been working hard and we just have to stay consistent and keep growing."

"We have a huge group of girls that can run," said Bonney, who ran to a first-place finish in the Class B 800 (2:23.24). "We put it together and see what we can do."

Minooka took first place with 213 points in the ABC meet, followed by Belvidere North (171.5 points) and Lake Park (168 points).

Prospect (129.5 points) took fourth place with host Conant (110 points) nipping Hoffman Estates (108 points) for sixth place with Buffalo Grove (50 points) taking 11th place.

Freshman Lia Skoufos (59.19) highlighted the Prospect charge by taking second in the Class A 400 and dipping under the one-minute mark.

"I was really excited," said Skoufos. "I made sure I got out fast and I did, it was a cool experience."

Freshman Natalie Kowalczuk (12.92) added a third-place finish in the Class A 100, with sophomore Samantha Berman (26.75) adding a third-place finish in the Class A 200.

Knights senior Autumn Stone took second in the pole vault (10-0), with senior Jillian Hennig taking second in the shot put (38-8).

Junior Victoria Marzec, senior Tida Bowers, junior Leah Jones, and senior Kiaerra Munnings gave host Conant a big lift by taking first in the 800 relay (1:48.86).

"I just wanted to finish the race strong," said Munnings, who anchored the Cougars to the victory. "We are definitely working hard."

Conant's 1,600 relay took third place in 4:09.52.

Sophomore Makiyha Blackwell supporter the Hoffman Estates effort by taking first in the Class A shot put with a personal best 39 feet.

"I'm feeling more and more confident," said Blackwell who took first at the MSL West division meet by hitting 38-11. "I'm surprised but I want to keep working hard."

Junior Allison Schroeder paced the Hawks' distance crew by picking up a third-place finish in the Class A 1,600 (5:25.88), with senior Misbah Baig (5:18.47) adding a victory in the Class B 1,600.

Buffalo Grove freshman Dagmara Sobolak gave the Bison a lift by taking first in the Class A triple jump (34-5).