Palatine throwers set winning pace at invite

Palatine can really bank on its throwers this year and the Pirates cashed in on Friday night at Downers Grove North.

Senior Martha Shepard (42-21/2) and senior Lauren Orris (36-21/4) went first and third in the shot put, and senior Katie MacFabe (128-4) and Orris (127-1) went 1-2 in the discus lifting Palatine to its second consecutive Ritter Track and Field Invite title with 108.5 points.

West Aurora flashed its speed in winning the 400 relay (49.7) and 800 relay (1:46.) in taking second with 101.3 points.

Lyons Township (77.3) nipped Prospect (71 points) for third, with Glenbard West (68 points), host Downers Grove North (60 points), and York (59 points) in hot pursuit.

Shepard finished fifth in Class AA last season in the shot, and Orris took home a seventh-place medal in the discus. MacFabe was a state qualifier in both the shot and discus.

On Friday night the trio showed they are ready for a return trip.

"I think we all come in with a lot of confidence," said MacFabe of the powerful trio. "I think our hardest competition is each other, we make each other better."

Palatine also did it on the track with junior Ruth Allen blazing to a first-place finish in the 800 (2:15.8).

Downers Grove North sophomore Gabrielle Effrain (2:16.4) was nipping at Allen's heels for most of the race and challenged for the lead with 100 meters remaining. But Allen showed a burst in the final 50 meters to secure the victory.

"Coach (Steve Currins) reminded me to keep my arms straight and my eyes focused for the finish," said Allen of her winning drive.

Sophomore Sarah McIntosh added a victory in the 1,600 (5:14.7); freshman Laura Schweikert opened a few eyes by taking second in the 100 (12.3).

Palatine also took third in the 400 relay (50.2), 800 relay (1:46.5), 1,600 relay (4:06.8), and 3,200 relay (9:40.3).

"The kids came out ready to compete today," said Currins. "They dug down and went after it."

West Aurora also went after it, especially in the sprint relays.

Kristen Holmes, Cynthia Smith, Mariah Smith, and Markesha Davis combined to lead West to a victory in the 400 relay (49.7). Then Holmes, Kehley Dunah, Tracy Williams-Moore, and Jasmine Ranson propelled the Blackhawks to a victory in the 800 relay (1:46).

Williams-Moore brought the Blackhawks from behind in the third leg of the 800 relay, and Ranson finish off the victory with devastating flurry in the final 100 meters.

"It hurt but it was good," said Ranson, who also took third in the triple jump (36-2). "We have eight sprinters that can switch around on the relays."

Shanice Andrews gave West Aurora a victory in the 100 high hurdles (15.3) and took third in the long jump (16-11.75).

Davis took second for the Blackhawks in the 200 (25.4).

Prospect's Annette White (11:18.8) doubled her fun by coming from behind to nip Naperville Central's freshman Amanda Fox (11:19) for second in the 3,200. White then teamed with Kasey Krum to give the Knights a 3-4 finish in the 1,600.

Emily Gruendel took second for Prospect in the shot put (39-1) and Christie Kollias (10-3) and Erin Ward (10-0) went 2-3 in the pole vault.

Sarah Udelhofen led much-improved Glenbard West by taking first in the high jump (5-4). The Hilltoppers also took second with an impressive time in the 800 relay (1:46.2).

Glenbard West also took first in the frosh/soph 1,600 relay (4:10.7) with Kathryn Pickett adding two thirds in the 100 high hurdles (15.9) and 300 low hurdles (48.2). Bridget Flanagan took third in the 200 (25.9).

"It's fun this year, there is a lot of talent," added Udelhofen of the Hilltoppers' progress.

Nicole Sanders took first for host Downers North in the 300 low hurdles and Effrain showed she is a threat in the 800 with her impressive second-place finish for the Trojans.

"I'm going to keep trying to go lower and keep my goals high," said Effrain of her career-best mark in the 800.

Killani Gaston also added a third for the Trojans in the 100 (12.5).

Meghan Frigo separated from the pack on the second lap and never looked back in winning the 3,200 (11:11.6) for York. The Dukes also hit an impressive 4:03.7 in taking second in the 1,600 relay. York (9:39) took second behind Lyons (9:31.1) in the 3,200 relay.

Casey Faulkner cleared 10-6 in taking first for Naperville Central in the pole vault.

Olivia Semeria, Lori Felix, Amber Wentzloff, and Amber Hackney powered Wheeling to an impressive second-place finish in the 400 relay (49.9), and Chrissie Robillard took third for the Wildcats in the discus (109-8).

"Olivia got us off to a great start and when I got the baton I knew I had to finish," said Hackney of the Wheeling effort.