BG takes title, can taste state berth
At this stage of the girls cross country season, there is no debate.
Lake Park's Lindsay Flanagan is the clear-cut favorite to win the Class 3A state title - and the senior's showing Saturday at the Wheeling Invite only enhanced that belief.
Flanagan took the 3-mile race at Heritage Park out hard and never let up in cruising easily to the title in 17:00.44. Last year, Flanagan won the race in 18:28.
"She is one standout runner," said Buffalo Grove freshman Olivia Jones (17:43.72), who finished second 43 seconds behind Flanagan.
"She just took it out and it was like 'wow,' " said Barrington senior Rebecca Tracy (17:52.39), who finished 52 seconds behind Flanagan.
Flanagan has won each of her races this season and has her sights firmly set on the state meet in Peoria on Nov. 8.
"I know what I want to do at state," said Flanagan, who finished 10th in Class 3A last season. "I always have it right there and I just keep working for it. I want the to get the state record."
"I think she is ready to handle it," said Lake Park coach Harvey Braus of Flanagan's quest for the state title. "She's a terrific runner obviously, once in a career for me as a coach."
While Flanagan was torching the course, BG set off a few alarms by capturing the team title with 59 points. The Bison featured four runners in the top 17.
Barrington (84 points) took second, followed by Libertyville (96), Lake Park (105) and Huntley (131).
"That was our goal," said BG coach Sarah Cleveland of winning the title. "Our ultimate goal is to make it to state as a team. We've been focusing on that since the beginning. Each meet it's a little closer. We can taste it now."
Jones led the charge for the Bison. She was followed closely by junior Cari Geyer (18:06.30) and sophomore Sara Peluse (18:23.05) in fourth and eighth places, respectively.
Senior Erin McGrath (18:44.57) secured 17th place, and BG junior Erin Cleary (19:02.46) narrowed the gap between the fourth and fifth runners by taking 28th.
"We're pushing hard and looking forward to each meet," Jones said. "We're staying together more and packing it up."
Geyer was BG's lead runner last year and is enjoying the ride this season.
"It's a lot more fun," Geyer said. "Everyone is pushing each other and we're working together."
Barrington received a 1-2 punch from the Tracy sisters in securing second place. Rebecca Tracy's third-place finish was followed by 10th place for her freshman sister Elizabeth (18:24.09).
"I felt today really brought up that energy," said Rebecca Tracy of the Fillies' finish. "To see how close we could finish today and roll it over for the next few weeks."
Fillies senior AnneMarie Kerchberger (18:45.32) and Arielle Schwartz (18:47.63) finished 18th and 19th.
"We ran a smart race, they packed it up for a long time," said Barrington coach Debbie Revolta of her team's performance. "I'd like to see the pack stay together a little bit longer, but all in all we're headed in the right direction."
Libertyville placed four runners in the top 21 en route to third place.
Senior Hannah Reilly led the charge, securing sixth (18:15.29), followed by junior Megan Janezic (14th, 18:38.01), senior Anne Strychalski (20th, 18:49.05) and senior Erin Jaffke (21st, 18:49.25).
"We had a rough start. I think it took us a little longer to get focus," Reilly said. "Physically we were all there, it was just mentally. But today was big for us."
Senior Juliet Vogel (seventh, 18:17.13) and junior Ashley Prochazka (13th, 18:34.40) combined with Flanagan to lead Lake Park to fourth place.
"It was a good performance," said Braus, who was pleased with the improvement of his fourth through seventh runners. "I think we're right where we want to be."
Freshman Amy Kahl (18:23.87) and freshman Sara Scarbro (18:42.97) took ninth and 15th place as Huntley was fifth.
Senior Ariel Butzine (21st, 18:52.03) and freshman Katherine Schenck (25th, 18:56.89) helped Lakes finish sixth.
Senior Amanda Kompanowski (18:43.48) was 16th as St. Viator took eighth.
"My main focus is conference and regionals," said Kompanowski, who qualified for the state meet her freshman year. "I felt really good the first mile. I just need to hold that pace."
Grant's Alexis Capps (18:29.74) finished 11th, and Maine West senior Elizabeth Meier (18:32.56) was 12th.
"Everything is coming together my senior year," Meier said. "I just went out today and felt really comfortable. I kept working my way up."
Carmel's Hilary Halford (18:52.60) was 23rd, and Stevenson enior Chrissie Pacewicz (18:53.61) finished 24th.