Silver roars at Tiger Invite
The West Suburban Silver once again displayed its formidable talent Friday night at Wheaton Warrenville South.
The 18-team Tiger Invitational is annually one of the strongest girls track and field events on the calendar, and Hinsdale Central led a three-team league sweep in winning the overall title for the second time in three years with 116 points. Glenbard West led the way with four individual titles to place second with 97, followed by Oak Park-River Forest in third.
Four DuPage Valley Conference schools placed between fourth and seventh; four-time defending league champion Naperville North outperformed Naperville Central, Wheaton North and host WW South.
Schaumburg was eighth behind its sterling distance runners, with Downers Grove South, York, injury-riddled Glenbard South and Hinsdale South rounding out the local contingent.
"We had some good performances, and that's what counts," said Hinsdale Central coach Pat Richards, whose squad was paced by sprinter Lauren Rousch, who anchored the 400- and 800-meter relays to victory before ending her night with another title in the open 200 meters.
Glenbard West hurdler Kathryn Pickett was one of two individual double winners on the night. The sophomore turned back Wheaton North sophomore Shenelle Burnett to win the 100 hurdles in 15.96 seconds; Pickett then completed the hurdles sweep by claiming the 300 variety in 46.66.
"I love to run, try hard and see what happens," Pickett said. "I don't know (which event I am stronger in). I love them both."
The Hilltoppers' Angie Stearn was the team workhorse Friday night. The senior capped her night with a win in the triple jump on her final attempt after placing fourth in the long jump and anchoring both sprint relays to top finishes.
"This isn't my favorite meet," Stearn said. "I have the whole time issue (trying to compete in the field and on the track). Our team is so much stronger this year. Hinsdale is great competition to be with."
"(Stearn) is a steady, quiet leader," Glenbard West coach Kelly Haas said.
Sarah Udelhofen was in a league of her own in the high jump for Glenbard West. The junior won the title by clearing her first attempt at 5 feet and went out at 5-4.
"Five-four is pretty much what I'm going for in every meet," Udelhofen said.
Naperville North senior Kamaria Huggins' resolve was tested throughout the night. The senior began the evening with a win at 100 meters, only to see Glenbard South three-time state finalist Libby O'Brien and Rousch deny her additional crowns at 400 and 200 meters, respectively.
"Libby O'Brien is amazing," Huggins said. "Running against her is tough, but it helps me."
"The seeds (at 400 meters) were really tight," O'Brien said. "I'm really excited to see how this (Class) 2A is going to play out (in the new three-class state tournament)."
York junior Meghan Frigo dominated the 3,200 run, and the Dukes also won the relay of the same distance. Naperville Central junior Caley Faulkner won the pole vault by clearing 11-6.
Schaumburg was led by its dynamic sophomore middle and distance duo of Karen Lesiewicz and Britten Petrey. The former exploded over the final 300 meters to claim the 800 run in 2:17.09.
"My strategy was stick with (the lead pack) the first half and bring it home with whatever I had left," Lesiewicz said. "We ran a really tough 4-by-8 before that (where the Saxons were second)."
Petrey was engaged in a terrific duel with Hinsdale Central senior Roey Hines in the open 1,600 meters. The two were literally shoulder-to-shoulder at the gun lap, and Petrey made her move over the last 250 meters to secure the mile title in 5:08.16.
With only the finals of the 200 meters and first heat of the 1,600 relay as rest, Petrey then made a staggering final push on the Saxons' anchor leg to carry the fellow triumvirate of Jordan Wagner, Lauren Lindgren and Liesiewicz to victory in the meet-closing event.
"A great boost for confidence," Petrey said after winning the 1,600 relay. "(The credit for the 1,600 relay) was all them (her teammates). They made the race, they did a great job."