Loeffel, Allen steal the show at Buffalo Grove

Cary-Grove's Carly Loeffel and Lake Zurich's Olivia Allen provided plenty of highs and lows at the Buffalo Grove Invite on Saturday.

Last year Loeffel suffered an injury just before sectionals that wiped out her state chances in the high jump, and Allen suffered a quad injury during indoors that limited her outdoor season.

But the two were in high gear on a cool and breezy Saturday.

Loeffel cleared 5 feet, 8 inches on her second attempt to win the high jump, holding off a furious challenge by Lake Park's Amanda Rafidia, who took second (5-7). The sophomore just missed clearing 5-9 on her last attempt.

"Last year I wasn't too consistent," said Loeffel, who tied Rafidia for second place at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet. "This year I've been much more consistent."

While Loeffel was raising the bar, Allen continued to lower her times.

The senior won the 100 (11.9), 200 (24.2), 400 (59.10), and anchored the winning 400 relay (49.70) in a spectacular performance.

"If I can run that fast so early in the season, I should be getting faster by the end of the season," said Allen, who took sixth at state in the 200 her freshman season and finished eighth in state last year in the same event.

It was only fitting then that Cary-Grove took the team title with 133 points, with Lake Zurich nipping at the Trojans' heels, finishing second with 128 points in the nine-team field.

Fremd (109 points) followed in third, with Lake Park (98 points) and defending champion Neuqua Valley (83 points) taking fourth and fifth.

Loeffel led a balanced Cary-Grove attack by taking second in the long jump (16-6.75), third in the 400 (60.7), and anchoring the Trojans to the victory in the 1,600 relay (4:13.70).

But it was her performance in the high jump that had the track buzzing. The high jump field was more like a state competition, with eight girls clearing 5 feet. Now Cary-Grove coach Mark Anderson has some things to consider.

"She had 14 jumps today on her legs," said Anderson of the sophomore who only had two misses before reaching 5-9. "If she knew she was going to be so automatic can she come in at 5-2 or 5-3 - then can she go 5-9 or 5-10."

Loeffel thinks she can after just missing 5-9.

"The last one I think I had," said Loeffel of her final attempt at 5-9. "I had all the momentum going into it."

Loeffel had plenty of help in securing the title as Kelly McCoy took first in the 100 high hurdles (15.60) and complemented Loeffel by taking fourth in the high jump (5-4).

Annie McGarrigle, Melanie Jereb, Kathy Wollney, and Sarah Ryan, all freshmen, combined to take first in the 800 relay (1:50.2).

"The girls expected Kelly and Carly to win," said Anderson, "but for four freshman to come out and win, that's a huge moment for the season."

Emily Cummings also aided the Trojans attack by taking second in the 3,200 (11:51.8).

Allen's four victories propelled Lake Zurich. The senior's early performance in the 200 will set the pace for the state field.

"She set the mark," said Lake Zurich coach Lance Pacernick. "Now we'll see where we go with that."

But Allen isn't the only speedster in the Lancers' attack. Sophomores Marissa Wagner and Kelly Doheny give Pacernick plenty of options.

Wagner finished second in both the 100 (12.60) and 400 (59.80) with a fourth-place finish in the 200 (26.5), while Doheny took third in the 100 (12.80), fourth in the 400 (61.3) and fifth in the 200 (26.8).

"We're working to get faster," said Wagner, who along with Doheny was a part of the winning 400 relay. "Whatever we need to do to get downstate, we'll do."

"It's not only them," said Pacernick of a very talented LZ squad. "It's having a lot of kids, with a lot of options."

Herel Hughes aided LZ attack by taking second in the 100 high hurdles (15.7) and fourth in the long jump (15-5).

Senior Jamie Notaro took first in both the long jump (16-6.75) and triple jump (35-2.50), with Bizzy Mellado clearing 10-6 to take first in the pole vault to lead Fremd.

Notaro and Mellado also combined with Kelsey Onesto, and Nickolette McKenzie to take second in the 400 relay (50.90).

"This year we just have a lot more depth in all the events," said Notaro of the Vikings' performance. "I'm just a lot further along at this point in the season than I've been before."

Mellado, who took third in the 200 (26.30), is looking strong in the pole vault and will definitely be a contender at state.

"Exactly where I want to be," said Mellado, who just missed clearing 11-1. "I'm a whole lot stronger than last year, which really makes a difference coming through with the vault."

Stephanie Resis, Roxanne Miller, Aylla Lashawy, and Alexis McAdams combined to lead the Vikings to first place in the 3,200 relay (9:53.90).

"We talked about putting it out there and trying to go for your best," said Fremd coach Halli Henderson of the much-improved Vikings attack. "Not being afraid to fail - today they actually tried to work on that."

Lake Park was without two of its biggest stars, missing both Lindsay Flanagan and Juliet Vogel, but Rafidia's performance in the high jump lifted the Lancers.

The junior hit 5-7 on her second attempt, but watched as the bar bounced and finally fell off on her final attempt at 5-8 as she settled for second.

"It bounced and went back down," said Rafidia, who has come into this season much stronger. "I have just been pushing myself to get up there, because I know I can."

Sarah Drozdowski hit 124-7 to take first in the discus and she also added a third place for Lake Park in the shot put (34-9). Rachel Kruezer cleared 10-0 to take second in the pole vault for the Lancers.

Lake Park also took second in the 800 relay (1:50.90) and third in the 400 relay (52.70).

Kim Morrison took second for Neuqua Valley in the triple jump (34-3) and the 3,200 relay took second for the Wildcats in the 3,200 relay (10:06.90).

Carmel was without freshman sensation Megan Paul, but Shannon Howell broke away from the pack with 200 remaining, easing to a victory in the 300 low hurdles (47.10).

"My endurance is up a lot," said Paul who also took third in the 100 low hurdles. "I lost a little bit of form, but my strategy was just to run the first 200, then hang on for the end."

Hilary Halford took second for the Corsairs in the 800 (2:26.70), and the 1,600 relay with Howell and Halford took second with a time of 4:14.50.

Olivia Jones won both the 1,600 (5:14.4) and 3,200 (11:13.3) in lifting host Buffalo Grove to seventh place.

Jones was never challenged in the 3,200 winning with a comfortable margin of 38 seconds. In the 1,600 the freshman had a bit more company, but separated in the final lap to secure the victory.

"I just wanted to come out under control and pace myself," said Jones, who finished second at the IPTT indoor meet. "It does boost my confidence and I just come out every meet read to face the competition."

Senior Erin McGrath separated from the pack in the final 300 meters to secure the victory in the 800 (2:23.3) for the Bison.

"We've been working on the 300's," said McGrath of her final explosion. "At that point I knew I could sprint and outlast the field."

XXX Redmond hit 35-11 in the shot put to lead Stevenson. Chrissy Pacewicz took second in the 1,600 (5:27) to aid the Patriots.