Neuqua Valley dominates

Neuqua Valley girl's track team took a hit with four of last years state qualifiers missing Saturday's competition because of spring break.

But the Wildcats didn't miss a beat on a delightful early spring afternoon, winning four events en route to securing the title at the Buffalo Grove Invite with 145 points.

Lake Park won five events and captured second place with 120 points, followed by Cary-Grove (112 points), Fremd (87 points), Carmel (81.33), Buffalo Grove (68.33), and Stevenson (67.33).

Among the missing for Neuqua Valley were Monika Jakutyte, who placed ninth in the high jump at state last year; Krista Stillson who was third in the triple jump at last week's Top Times indoor state meet; and Kristin Morrison, eighth in the triple jump at the indoor state meet.

Even coach Gretchen Parejko was missing.

But that didn't slow down a deep and talented Wildcats team that finished second by 1 point to Waubonsie Valley last year in the Upstate Eight Conference.

"Our depth is one of our strengths," said assistant coach Wayne Hartman, whose Wildcats picked up 3 second-place medals and 5 third-place medals. "We're confident we can get the job done when others are out. It's everybody filling the gaps and stepping up."

For senior thrower and two-time state medalist Katie Vuckovich, it was business as usual.

Vuckovich secured first place in the shot put (40-01), hitting the winning mark on her first attempt.

But she wasn't satisfied.

"Placing first is great," said Vuckovich who took third in state as a sophomore and fifth as a junior. "But when you get to state or a big meet, 40-0 is not going to get me too far. But it's early and I'm still working on my technique."

Senior Mandy Grahn did a nice job of filling the gaps and leading the Wildcats to third place in the 3,200 relay. Grahn came back to win the 400 (1:02.9).

Terri Newman just missed leading the 400 relay team to victory, as the Wildcats finished second. But the junior came back to win the 100 (12.6).

And finally, senior Debra Okafor did her part by securing first in the 200 (27.0).

Lake Park didn't miss a beat with its distance crew. Junior Lindsay Flanagan, fresh off winning the 3,200 indoor title, controlled the 1,600 from start to finish -- crossing the line in 5:16.8.

Flanagan also combined with Becky Kohles, Pam Rahman, and Colleen Briscoe in securing first place in the 3,200 relay. Rahman and Briscoe supplied a late charge to win the event.

"Just have to keep improving each meet," said Flanagan, who has emerged as one of the top distance runners in the state. "It makes me push even harder."

Junior Juliet Vogel took control in the final 200 meters to win the 800 (2:22.7) for the Lancers, and Rachel Kruezer cleared 9-6 to win the pole vault.

Amanda Rafidia also had a busy day for Lake Park, finishing second in both the high jump (5-3) and 200 (27.2). The sophomore then combined with Maddy Summers, Amanda Ilag, and Laura Pettite to lead the Lancers to first place in the 800 relay (1:52.3).

"We cover a lot of events, which makes for a strong team score," said Lake Park coach Brian Hesik, "This is a good indication of what we're capable of doing."

Cary-Grove has an infusion of young talent, but senior Madeline Aufman led the Trojans charge by taking first in the high jump (5-3).

"Overall we're pretty young and our inexperience is making us approach the big meets a bit timid," said Aufman who also was part of the 1,600 relay team that finished second. "But it's not too bad for our first invitational."

Kelly McCoy is one of the young Trojans, and the sophomore stepped up to take frst in the 100 low hurdles (16.10). She also finished fourth in the high jump.

Junior Jamie Notaro took first in the long jump (15-11½) and junior Ashley Ruff secured first in the triple jump (34-05¾) to lead Fremd.

"We get a lot of points from our field events," said Notaro, a state qualifier in the long jump last year. "It's nice to have one state experience under my belt, so I know hopefully what to expect this year."

Elizabeth Mellado took second in the pole vault and 300 low hurdles for Fremd.

The Vikings' 3,200 relay (10:12) also securing a second-place medal.

Sophomore Shannon Howell took first in the 300 low hurdles (49.40) and second in the 100 high hurdles (16.3) to power Carmel.

"I just wanted to finish strong," said Howell, who took control of the 300 low-hurdle race at the corner. "The curve was the last chance to gain some ground before the wind hit you in the straight away."

MaryBeth Berg took second in the 400 (1:03.5); Hilory Halford picked up second in the 800 (2:24.3); and Alison Thumel added a second-place medal in the long jump (14-11) for the Corsairs.

Nicole LaMantia had a pair of photo finishes in securing first place for host Buffalo Grove in both the 400 relay (51.5) and 1,600 relay (10:08.8).

LaMantia combined with Emily Lueck, Lillie Blackmon, and Sam Wellbank to win the 400 relay.

Erin McGrath joined LaMantia, Blackmon, and Wellbank for the victory in the 1,600 relay.

"It's such a rush of adrenaline," said LaMantia of her close victories. "That's when everything really pays right at that moment, it's only when you have a second left … that's what makes the difference."

Freshman Sarah Peluse added a victory for the Bison in the 3,200 (11:48.10), and Blackmon added a second place in the 100 (12.8).

Senior Annamarie Cassata took first in the discus (118-01) for Stevenson, hitting her winning mark on the final throw.

"Usually I get a little bit better each throw," said Cassata a two-time state qualifier who won a ninth-place medal her sophomore year in the discus. "I was concentrating on keeping my long pull and my focal point."

Cassata also took second in the shot put (33-08.25), and the Patriots added a second place in the 800 relay (1:52.4).

Kim Tarnoff added a second place for Stevenson in the 3,200 (11:52.9).

Palatine second at relays: Palatine's long ride paid big dividends at the Jackie Joyner Kersee Relays hosted by East St. Louis.

Palatine took second with 72 points in a loaded field that included last year's state runner-up East St. Louis and Missouri state champion McClure.

East St. Louis took first with 100 points, and McClure (61 points) was third, followed by Mahomet-Seymour (57 points), and Belleville East (50 points).

Past defending Illinois state champions Evanston (sixth place) and Morgan Park were also in the field.

Senior Jocelyn Kuksa took first in the pole vault (10-6) and third in 100 high hurdles (15.5). Freshman Sarah McIntosh took first in the 3,200 (11:26.5) for the Pirates.

Martha Shepard took third in the shot put (41-3), and Lauren Orris was fourth in the discus (115-8).

The Pirates also added a second place in the 3,200 relay (9:40) and were sixth place in the 1,600 relay (4:10.1).

"I'm pretty happy with our performance," said Palatine coach Steve Currins, "It's early and we're still learning to compete, but we're making progress."

Other highlights included McClure winning the 1,600 relay with an eye-popping time of 3:49.4, followed by Proviso East (3:50).

Mahomet-Seymour's junior Danielle Bunch hit 47-7 to win the shot put