Prospect squeaks past Conant
If it didn't say it on the schedule one wouldn't have been able to tell that Thursday was the opening girls cross country meet for Conant and Prospect.
With significant position changes and a close finish, both schools had five runners in the top 10. In the end though, the host Knights edged the Cougars 27-28.
Early in the race Conant held seven of the top 10 spots but momentum would eventually swing Prospect's way.
Leading the way for Prospect was sophomore Annette White, who finished third with a 3-mile time of 18:54. Immediately following White were teammates Claire Hollis (19:32) and Lucy Taylor (19:34).
"The first mile I felt really good," said White. "I had some nerves but they went away once the gun went off."
Prospect coach Dave Wurster set relatively simple goals for his team this meet and they allowed the Knights to start the season with a victory.
"The biggest goal I had was to just get a race under our belt. Just go out and race, compete hard, have fun and we'll go from there," said Wurster. "They were on their marks and they ran a smart race."
Conant took the top two spots in the race as Kelli Dalton finished first (18:50).
"Today I just really wanted to help my teammates. I felt like they stayed with it and didn't lose focus," said Dalton.
Finishing nearly side-by-side with Dalton was senior Michelle Rawleigh, who ran in her first cross country meet ever.
"I was really happy with the way the girls performed," said Conant coach Amy Spizzirri. "I'm a little disappointed with the finish but they pushed hard."
Rounding out the top 10 finishers for Conant was senior Caitlin Alexander (19:50) and juniors Danielle Matej (20:22) and Megan Hodson (20:22)
Also contributing to the win for Prospect were sophomores Emily Salzman (19:54) and Kasey Krum (20:02). Prospect hopes to continue its good start as it travels to Fenton's invitational this Saturday.
Emily Galluy (20:19) led the way for Schaumburg, which beat Buffalo Grove 23-32 in an MSL crossover. The Saxons placed three runners in the top five. Pacing the Bison was Sara Pueuse (21:08).
• Gaby Duena's time of 20:04 led Hoffman Estates over Rolling Meadows 18-45 in MSL crossover action. Meadows was led by Erlena Josifi (20:08).
• Colleen Standridge (18:18) was the first to cross the finish line for host Palatine, 24-35 MSL crossover winners over Wheeling. Amber Stack (18:29) was the lead runner for the Wildcats.
• Alexis McAdams (20:48) led the way for Fremd in a 19-44 MSL crossover win over Hersey. Sophomore Audrina Smelser led the Huskies in second with a 21:18.