Hynes snaps 2nd streak

United they stand, divided they stand taller.

Top-ranked Hinsdale Central won the Wheaton North Falcon Girls Cross Country Classic on Saturday in Wheaton to stay perfect versus Illinois competition.

It was an all-too familiar feeling for the Red Devils as they held off runner-up Stagg 20-27. It was the third meet this year where the two teams finished a close 1-2.

While the finish may have seemed familiar, the format wasn't. The meet is divided into seven "flights," pitting each team's 1-7 ranked runners against one another.

For Hinsdale Central top runner Elaine Kuckertz, the format is challenging because she typically works with teammates Roey Hines and Lauren Zumbach in races. On Saturday she was alone in the top flight.

"It was a little bit tough. But what I did was, when a girl would come up on me, I would picture one was Roey and the other was Lauren. It helped enormously," said Kuckertz.

Kuckertz took the lead after the 2-mile mark but was overtaken with 800 meters to go by St. Charles East junior Lizzy Hynes, who won the 3-mile race in 17 minutes, 46 seconds. Kuckertz finished five seconds behind Hynes for second.

"I've gotten second every time I've run this course since the eighth grade, so to finally win is really great," said Hynes, who is eager for her showdown with Sandburg's Kristin Sutherland next Saturday. "Even though I think she's a cut above me, it'll be good just to race her."

St. Charles East finished 11th with 84 points. The next best finish behind Hynes was turned in by freshman Gina Bartindale in the sixth flight, where she finished sixth in 19:45

Other runners for the Saints included junior Dayna White (20th in 2nd flight, 20:11); sophomore Grace Gordon (13th in 3rd flight, 19:24); freshman Morgan Ketterling (9th in fourth flight, 19:36); sophomore Holly Robinson (19th in 5th flight, 20:35); and senior Katie Johnson (17th in 7th flight, 20:45).

Wheaton North finished third as a team with 28 points and secured a second straight victory over DVC rival Naperville North, which finished fourth with 35 points.

The Red Devils' lone flight victory came in the fourth flight with senior Emily Cleary kicking down Naperville North sophomore Joanna Brodecki. Her motivation? Homecoming.

"We have homecoming today, so that was my motivation, to get the race over with," Cleary said with a smile.

Hines and Zumbach finished third and fourth in the second and third flights, respectively, but it was another trio who stood tallest Saturday. Wheaton North's trio of Kelsey Tharnstrom, Jackie Laesch and Jaime Orewiler finished fourth, first and first in the top three flights, respectively.

"We knew (Wheaton North) was going to be tough. They were another team people were underestimating a little bit. We certainly weren't and we certainly aren't now. They're a great team," McCabe said.

For Laesch, the victory in the second flight was especially meaningful because it was her first dominating performance since mononucleosis ended her season prematurely last season.

"I've had a couple so-so races. Today I wanted to prove that I didn't lose it all after mono," Laesch said. "It's exciting because I've never won a big race."

"We didn't have any rough flights. We ran solidly everywhere. This is by far the most stacked field I've ever seen at this meet," Huskies coach Dan Iverson said of the field that included 10 of the top 12 teams in state.

While the format forces runners to race without the help of teammates, others found allies on the course. Naperville Central sophomore Shelby Pealor ran with Naperville North junior Michelle Stratton in the first flight. The duo finished fifth and seventh, respectively.

"We're pretty good friends. We ran the whole race together and we were pushing each other. It helps to have a friend out there, especially at this meet," Pealor said.

Wheaton Warrenville South finished fifth with 47 points, followed by Lyons Twp. in sixth and Downers Grove South in seventh.

"We ran well today, but we still have to get better if we want to move on in the state series," said Mustangs coach Doug Plunkett. "But it was a good step for us."

Hersey, which finished 12th out of 29 teams, was led by freshman Salena Clohisy fourth-place performance in the fifth flight.

"We had some kids really do well," said Hersey coach Jim Miks. "This is the toughest meet in the state right now. We did well today, especially coming off a tough race on Wednesday (against Prospect)."

Fremd finished 23rd overall. Junior Ryoh Shinohara was Fremd's highest finisher, placing 14th in the sixth flight. Wheeling was 24th overall behind senior Jenny Giron's 12th-place finish in the second flight. Amber Stack and Rachel Stinebring both finished 14th in the first and third flights, respectively.