Pinnick, Waubonsie shine at Upstate Eight indoor meet

Shakeia Pinnick was as good as ever at her final Upstate Eight Conference indoor track and field championship Thursday night in St. Charles.

"People say the same thing about Pinnick during track that they say about (Lake Park state champion Lindsay) Flanagan during cross country season," St. Charles East coach Denise Hefferin said. "They say, 'It's not fair.' Yes, it is. Waubonsie obviously has more than just Pinnick."

The Arizona State-bound Waubonsie Valley standout, fresh off a national championship in the pentathlon in Boston last weekend, eased to four running championships in leading the Warriors to their fourth consecutive indoor league title with 138 points.

St. Charles East was a distant second with 99.33 points, followed by Neuqua Valley, Lake Park, St. Charles North, Larkin, Bartlett, South Elgin, Elgin, East Aurora and Streamwood.

Pinnick never trailed in the 55-meter hurdles, leading comfortably by the first hurdle, and the senior broke away from Lake Park senior Juliet Vogel to claim the 800 run.

The Warriors' four-year starlet, who has never lost a conference race indoors, later added crowns in the 400 and 200 meters.

Waubonsie Valley did not require her services in the long jump; the Warriors' Michelle Higgins and Dasha Patton had a 1-2 sweep in the event.

"This is one of the best teams we've had since I've been in high school," Pinnick said. "I just tried to win everything for the team. I was feeling very nauseous (during the closing stages of the 400). I wasn't really pleased with any of (my times). I guess I would take the hurdles because it's my favorite event."

Sisters Morolake and Morikae Akinosun were the Warriors' sprinting stalwarts; both were key figures in two sprint relay victories, and the latter captured the 55 dash.

"It was a real team victory," said Waubonsie Valley coach Jim Braun. "We came through real well, and I was pleased with the way the kids did it. When we talk about a competitor, (Pinnick) does a great job."

Neuqua Valley, the defending outdoor conference champion, was paced by jump specialist Kristin Morrison.

After an off night in the long jump, Morrison rebounded to claim the Wildcats' second field-event victory in the triple jump.

Senior Kristin Balark captured the shot put for Neuqua Valley.

Flanagan, the Lancers' Washington-bound reigning state runner-up in the 3,200 meters, skipped her specialty event to face St. Charles East all-stater Lizzy Hynes in the 1,600.

But a showdown evaporated over the last half as Hynes blazed to victory in slightly over 5 minutes and 3 seconds.

In one of the most hotly contested events on the night, Lake Park junior Amanda Rafidia outlasted St. Charles East senior Maya Rittmanic to win the high jump on fewer misses after the two tied at 5 feet, 4 inches.

"I have been trying so hard to win (the high jump) and I finally got it," Rafidia said.

Larkin had the finest showing of the Elgin-area schools as seniors Nadiyah Spencer and Britney Whitehead paced the Royals' attack.

Spencer was second in the 55 dash and 200 meters, while Whitehead was third in the loaded 800 field.

"I just kind of wanted to build up my strength for when outdoor comes," Spencer said. "I'm happy with the (times), but I feel like I can do better."

Pinnick and Vogel set a blistering pace over the first two-thirds of the 800 meters, and Whitehead was still within earshot on the gun lap.

"I qualified for indoor state (with the time)," Whitehead said. "It's my fastest time ever. I couldn't believe how fast those two (Pinnick and Vogel) went out. I was really happy when I saw my time."

Whitehead is a converted hurdler making the transition to middle distance.

Spencer also placed in the long jump for the Royals.

Bartlett was led by Alyssa Schneider, third in the mile, and Sam Salinas' effort in the equally loaded 800.

Freshman Jordan Tuin was a real find for South Elgin, and Streamwood was led by senior distance runner Mercedes Mancha.

"This is only our third meet," said Streamwood coach Ryan Korn. "We're definitely making progressions. We're definitely on the right page (for the outdoor season)."