Standridge helps light the fire

Palatine's cross country team started the season with a flicker but has heated up at the right time.

There were a number of reasons for the slow start, including a young team facing a brutal schedule.

But the girls have risen to the occasion and the schedule is now starting to pay dividends.

Who ignited this fire?

Senior Colleen Standridge has run back-to-back strong races to spark the resurgent Pirates' attack.

Standridge took 4th at the Mid-Suburban League meet, leading the Pirates to a 3rd-place finish.

And last Saturday, she continued her assault by taking 3rd place and leading the Pirates to the Rolling Meadows regional title.

"She's been very talented since she was in grade school," said Palatine coach Steve Currins of Standridge, who has been on the Pirates' varsity since freshman year.

"I think she has really matured and is starting to believe in herself. On Saturday she looked really good and finished strong."

Palatine started the season by taking 4th place at the Hinsdale Central Invite and then took 10th in a loaded field at the Peoria Notre Dame Invite.

Standridge finished 16th at Hinsdale and 18th at Peoria.

"My dual meets I did well, but then when it came to the big invites I'd under-perform," Standridge said. "Now I know what to do during the race and where I should be. I think my experience is paying off."

At the Rolling Meadow regional Standridge flashed a kick at the end of the race to pass Meadows' Amanda Whowell.

"I have never ever had a kick. I'm not really sure where it's coming from," said Standridge, laughing at her regional finish. "Mentally, it's a lot easier to pass people."

Palatine has also benefited from an infusion of young talent.

A trio of freshmen added to the Pirates' attack at Saturday's regional as Becca Sund (13th place), Sara McIntosh (16th), and Courtney Brown (20th) had strong races after starting the season running frosh-soph.

Meanwhile, veterans such as junior Tory Wright, junior Emma Maslanka, and sophomore Ruth Allen have helped pace the Pirates.

Wright (12th place) and Allen (14th) combined with Sund and McIntosh as the Pirates placed five runners in the top 16 on Saturday.

"The pack is definitely a lot stronger that it was," Wright said. "It has really motivated us. Now we just have to keep that pack and keep closing the gap."

Standridge's leadership has been the key in helping the Pirates navigate their schedule.

"It was almost instantaneous. When summer workouts started, it's like I'm a senior now," said Currins of Standridge. "I saw a major improvement in her leadership. She's very team-oriented, she's fireplug."

Standridge was part of a team that took third at state her sophomore year. She finished 33rd as a junior.

Standridge has also been a key member of the track team. She has been a member of the 3,200 relay that won the state her freshman year and finished second the past two seasons.

The Pirates brought home the second-place trophy her sophomore year.

Experience is now starting to show.

"These are my last few races, and our team is so young they needed someone to look up to," Standridge said. " I thought I would be that person."

"We kind of emphasize that every year. When you're a senior you're going to be a leader," Currins said. "She's a great role model for the younger kids."

Now Palatine is one step away from qualifying for its 22nd state meet, and the host Pirates are seeking to win their 13th sectional title on their home course at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve on Saturday.

Currins and his squad are right where they want to be.

"A lot has changed since then," said Currins of the Pirates' slow start. "It takes a little bit of time to jell. I've always said I love this team, they're very dedicated.

"It's all about believing, and now they're starting to believe."

The regional title has made believers out of all the Pirates.

"It was essential," added Standridge of her team's boost in confidence. "Coach Currins has told us how good we are. We were doing it in our workouts but not in the races.

"So the fact that we proved it shows we can do it."

The Pirates hope to keep the fire burning on Saturday.