Grant runs to third in Harland Invite
New runners to the 3-mile Fox River Park course were in for a rude awakening Saturday morning at the Pat Harland Invitational hosted by Antioch.
The 16-team girls cross country meet proved to be a real challenge for the runners as the steep, eight-hill course wreaked havoc on individuals as well as teams.
When everything was said and done it was seventh-ranked Class 3A squad Benet Academy that soared to the championship as the Redwings toppled runner-up Prairie Ridge 29-105.
Grant had another solid showing as the Bulldogs brought home third place with 145 points to slip past North Suburban Conference rival Lakes (156 points) in fourth. The host Sequiots placed sixth with 205 points followed by Vernon Hills (224) in eighth, and Grayslake North (232) in ninth.
The race for the individual crown was won by Benet Academy's McKinzie Schulz in 18:43 as she managed to hold off Richmond-Burton's Lindsey Wilkins (18:54) in second, and Antioch junior Erin Poss (18:57) in third.
Being familiar with the course was quite a benefit for Poss Saturday.
"I think I definitely had an advantage running on my home course," said Poss. "It was a p.r. by about 20 seconds."
Vernon Hills was led by senior Danielle Dickman's sixth-place finish to outdistance Grant junior Alexis Capps in seventh.
"Overall I think everyone ran well for this course and everybody had much better times here than we did three weeks ago," said Vernon Hills coach Suzanne Richert. "This is a very steep course here the first three-quarters of a miled and I think this meet is definitely an up turn for Danielle."
After Capps, teammates Kendra Kennedy and Alyssa Pasiewicz placed 23rd and 25th respectively to help carry the Bulldogs to third place.
"This is our first time at this course this year and it is a tough course," said Grant coach Jeff Durlak. "We had a lot of our best times and Alexis (Capps) did as well as I think she wanted to."
Lakes freshman Kathryn Schenck came up with a huge eighth-place finish for the Eagles while Kimmy Denikas led Grayslake North's surge in 16th place.
"There was a big gap between our first and second runner, but the team is improving all the time and we had some p.r.'s in there," said Grayslake North coach Brandon Boyd. "They will be familiar with this course now as they get ready for the regionals and I think they are making progress."
Prairie Ridge's second-place finish was led by Amanda Marwitz in 13th, Kyra Saley in 18th, and Julia Mangler in 21st.
"I love this race because this is our homecoming weekend and this is a fun race for them," said Prairie Ridge coach Kelly MacDonald. "We're working as a team and they're doing a great job supporting each other."