Strong finishes for White, Hoffman

Expectations are on the rise for the Lake Park girls cross country team, and the Lancers seem ready to meet the challenge.

Last week Lake Park won the Fenton Invitational, and the Lancers staked claimed to the No. 4 spot in the Illinois Prep Top Times Poll.

Host Lake Park did nothing to diminish those expectations on a bright Saturday at 34th annual Lancer Invitational.

Junior Lindsay Flannagan led from start to finish in capturing the individual title, with a time of 17:54, and the Lancers had five runners finish in the top 28 to take the team title with 75 points in Roselle.

"So far, so good," added Lake Park coach Harvey Braus of his team's early season performance. "I don't think they really think too much about rankings.

"Their focus is to run the best race they can on any give day. So far it's worked out well."

Prospect's Annette White (18:12) used a late surge in the final 100 meters to pass Maine South's Kristin Zillmer (18:13) in claiming second place. Schaumburg's Emily Gallup (18:28) and Wheeling's Amber Stack (18:36) took fourth and fifth place.

Hoffman Estates has not had to deal with high expectations in recent years, but after its performance on Saturday that could be changing.

Hoffman used a tight pack to place five runners in the top 26 in capturing second place with 101 points.

"We run every day as a pack, and it's our goal every single race to run together as long as possible," said Hoffman coach Kirk Macnider of the up-and-coming Hawks. "They came out and sent a little message today that we're serious."

Junior Gaby Duenas (18:51) and senior Amy Schwent (19:05) finished in 13th and 19th place followed by junior Kathy Kenley (19:09), sophomore Hannah Worman (19:10), and senior Sonia Khan (19:16).

"I feel like the pack gives us a lot of strength," said Duenes of the Hawks' success. "Whenever we're with the pack we work together and push ourselves."

"I feel like we've had something to prove," added Schwent, "and that's what we're doing now."

Senior Lucy Taylor (18:50) and sophomore Kasey Krum (19:05) took 12th and 20th place, combining with White's second-place finish, leading Prospect (126 points) to third place.

White gradually moved up throughout the race before using a sudden burst the final 100 meters to take second.

"I tried to use the other girls' energy and then create separation when I pass them," said White of her strategy. "Then the last mile I really go for it."

The Knights have been making steady progress and hope to continue to improve.

"Last week we got out slow, so we were constantly building," added Taylor of the Knights' fifth-place finish at Fenton. "This week we were more confident and went for it."

Downers Grove North (148 points) battled through injuries and illness in securing fourth place.

Senior Erin Walgamuth (19:14) took 24th place to lead the Trojans, whose top runner Veronica Garcia (41st place) is rebounding from an injury; top-three runner Wendy Rasmussen (30th place) was battling an illness.

Freshman Alyssa Schneider (18:40) and junior Sam Salinas (18:43) gave Bartlett a powerful 1-2 punch finishing in seventh and eighth place leading the Hawks (161 points) to a fifth-place finish.

Senior Jenny Giron (19:02) finished in 17th place combining with Stack to lead Wheeling to sixth place.

Stack, the defending Lake Park champion, cut back in her summer training in hopes of having more fuel at the end of the season.

"Last year I was in really good shape to start the season but I kind of went backward toward the end of the season," said Stack. "This season I'm looking to improve as the season progresses."

Schaumburg (194 points) took seventh place, powered by Gallup's fourth-place finish. The senior used a strong start in securing her impressive finish.

"I just wanted to get out to a good start and maintain my pace," added Gallup, who shared her recipe for success: "It's just a lot of hard work and I'm more experienced."

Junior Amanda Kompanowski (18:48) continued her strong start to the season by securing 10th place and leading St. Viator (233 points) to 10th place as a team.

"I know the courses now, so I can run a little bit better," said Kompanowski of her experience. "That's definitely an advantage."

Sophomore Cari Geyer (18:47) secured ninth, leading Buffalo Grove (284 points) to an 11th-place finish.

Junior Gina Erbacci (18:38) opened a few eyes by taking sixth place, leading Elk Grove to 13th place.

Erbacci was running in second place after the first mile then gutted out the final mile in an impressive showing.

"I wanted to have more left, but I just wanted to hold on at the end," added Erbacci, who received a boost in confidence with her strong performance. "It's really cool to be running with some of the people I've been reading about."

Elizabeth Meier (19:02) finished in 16th place to pace Maine West.

"Mentally I felt really good," said Meier. "I zoned out in my summer races, but today I was focused."

Rolling Meadows' Erlena Josifi (19:14) finished 25th.

Woodruff Invitational: Rebecca Tracy (18:26) finished 12th in leading Barrington (201 points) to a sixth-place finish in the Woodruff Invitational at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Westfield, Indiana's defending state champion, won its third consecutive Woodruff title with 87 points, placing four runners in the top 19.

Naperville North (117 points) took second followed by Downers Grove South (134 points), Wheaton North (168 points), and Woodstock (187 points).

"We're trying to find an identity," said Barrington coach Deb Revolta. "We have a strong work ethic, and it's not where you start but where you finish."

Molly Glantz (19:08) took 34th place for the Fillies.

Moline's Aisha Praught won the individual title, finishing in 17:53, five seconds ahead of Woodstock's Kayla Beattie (17:58).

Conant's Kalli Dalton (18:08) placed fourth, and senior teammate Michelle Rawleigh (18:22) placed 10th to help the Cougars finish ninth.

Fremd finished in 19th place.