Girls cross country: Class 3A Palatine sectional
Girls cross country: Class 3A Palatine sectional
Where: Deer Grove East Forest Preserve When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Advancement: Top five teams and first seven runners not members of qualifying teams will advance to the IHSA Class 3A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. If the 8th, 9th, and 10th place overall individual finishers are not on a qualifying team, they also will advance.
Team outlook: Palatine took a huge step forward with its victory at the Rolling Meadows regional. The Pirates had 6 runners finish in the top 20 to win the title and will be the favorites at their sectional. Hersey was also impressive as Megan Gojney, Georgia Wiard, and Salena Clohisy finished in the top 10 in leading the Huskies to second place. Prospect received a big contribution from Claire Hollis last Saturday, and the Knights will need a solid team race to advance on Saturday. Barrington is still searching for their rhythm, but the Fillies have the talent to advance. Woodstock, Libertyville, and Cary-Grove will also be fighting for a spot.
Individuals to watch: Prospect's Annette White has been on a roll, sharing the Mid-Suburban League title and winning the Rolling Meadows regional. Palatine's Colleen Standridge and Barrington's Rebecca Tracy have both had two strong weeks, while Wheeling's Amber Stack is looking to advance to her fourth state meet. Rolling Meadow's Amanda Whowell is looking to advance to her first state meet. Warren's Heather Olson, Woodstock's Kayla Beattie, and Crystal Lake South's Kristina Aubert add to a very competitive individual field.
What they're saying:
"I'm not one to go and dictate and lead the race, I'll try to follow their lead and stay with them. Give it everything I have, that's how I'll approach it." -- Rolling Meadows junior Amanda Whowell
"Everyone is coming together, we'll be hungry to run there (Palatine) because we haven't done well there yet; we'll be ready." --Hersey junior Megan Gojney
"I've ran the course, so I think that's really going to help. I think I can build off my last race there and use the spots I know." -- Prospect sophomore Annette White.
Class 3A Schaumburg sectional
Where: Busse Woods When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday
Advancement: Top five teams and first seven runners not members of qualifying teams will advance to the IHSA Class 3A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. In addition in the event the 8th, 9th, and 10th place overall individual finishers in the sectional are not on qualifying team, they shall also advance.
Team outlook: Hoffman is on a roll winning the MSL title and Lake Park regional title on back-to-back weekends. But the Hawks will be tested on Saturday in a field that includes defending state champion Hinsdale Central and 2004 and 2005 state champion Naperville North. Geneva, Wheaton Warrenville South, Wheaton North, York, and Lyons will all be gunning for the coveted top five spots. Hannah Worman leads Hoffman and the Hawks should advance if its pack runs like it has the past two weekends. Senior Emily Gallup and frehsman Britten Petrey will lead Schaumburg. Kalli Dalton and Michelle Rawleigh pace Conants attack.
Individuals to watch: Elk Grove's Gina Erbaci finished second at Lake Park is running strong. Conant's Kalli Dalton is always a threat. Maine West Lizzy Meiers is also looking to advance. Elaine Kuckertz leads Hinsdale Central and will challenge for the title. Also keep an eye on St. Charles East Lizzy Hynes, Naperville Central's Shelby Pealer, and Lake Park's Lindsay Flannagan.
What they're saying:
"Our goal is still to qualify, but we're going to treat this like the state meet." -- Conant coach Amy Spizzirri
"It's going to be emotional and exciting. We're mentally prepared and I don't think we need to change anything, we just need to do our job." -- Hoffman Estates coach Kirk Macnider
"It probably the strongest sectional ever assembled. We definitely have to be on our game." -- Schaumburg coach Jon Macnider
Class 3A Niles West sectional
Jamie Johnson finished third, leading Leyden to a fourth-place finish at the Fenwick regional. The Eagles advance to the Niles West sectional held on their campus in Skokie at 1 p.m. Saturday. Stagg and Mother McAuley will be favorites.
-- Michael Eaken