Host Palatine wins tourney

Can I hear an alleluia?

The 77th annual Palatine Relays turned into a good old revival for the Pirates' girls track team.

Host Palatine had not won the Relays since 2005, but the Pirates captured eight events to cruise to their 10th title with 132 points before a sun-drenched crowd at Chic Anderson Stadium on Saturday.

Barrington saw its streak of three straight titles snapped, finishing second with 99 points, followed by Bolingbrook (93 points), Conant (56 points) and Fremd (46 points) in the 17-team field.

Bolingbrook's Mercedes Griffin won the 100 (12.4) and was part of the winning 400 relay (48.6) and 800 relay (1:43.2) en route to winning the Gerald McElroy Award given to the Relays' outstanding female athlete.

But the Pirates certainly gathered their share of praises after placing fourth or better in 17 of the 21 events.

"When they have a little success, they start believing it more," said Pirates coach Steve Currins. "We're still sort of young, but they are starting to believe."

Count Palatine's Ruth Allen as one of the believers. The junior ignited the crowd by holding off a brief uprising with 300 meters remaining - blazing to the title in the 800 (2:13).

"I could hear the girls behind me," said Allen of her dwindling lead. "I started to freak out because I thought I was going to die and they'd pass me."

But Allen found a different gear and accelerated around the final turn to victory.

Allen also helped the Pirates win the 3,200 relay in 9:37.1.

Freshman Laura Schweikert also brought the Pirates' faithful on their feet, taking first in the 200 (25.5), anchoring the frosh/soph 800 medley (1:52.8) to meet honors and taking second in the 100 (12.5).

The Palatine throwers did their part. Senior Martha Shepard hit a school-record 44-4.25 that helped propel the Pirates to first in the shot put relay (117-4.25).

Lauren Orris and Katie MacFabe combined to lead the Pirates to first in the discus relay with a meet-record 370-11.

"We treat every meet like state," Shepard said. "Each one is going to get better and better."

Palatine added victories in the distance medley (12:28) and frosh/soph 1,600 (4:16).

Barrington's Rebecca Tracy continued her flirtation with a sub 5:00 mile. The Fillies senior had run 4:59.9 Tuesday at the Mid-Suburban West Divisional meet.

On Saturday, Tracy took first in the 1,600 (5:00.0), just missing a sub 5:00.

"I guess you have to hit it a couple of times to know it's definitely there," said Tracy of the elusive time. "It can only go down."

Tracy also took second to Allen in the 800 with an impressive time of 2:13.9.

The Fillies' Jorie Frey hit a career best, taking first in the 400 (57.5). The junior also notched a 16-6 to lead her team to first in the long jump relay (48-6).

Frey was also part of the 400 relay (50.3) and 1,600 relay (4:03.8), which both finished second.

"I was pretty much clear after the 200," said Frey of her 400 victory. "I'm just looking to go downstate and see what happens there."

Conant's Sarah Gorden placed first in the 300 low hurdles (45.4). The sophomore has dropped a 10th of a second off her time in her last two races.

Gorden then led the Cougars to first in the high hurdle shuttle relay (1:07.3).

"I try to go as hard as I can at the start and push through at the end," said Gorden of her 300 victory. "I'm really excited to see what I can do."

Bizzy Mellado cleared 11-3 in a strong headwind, leading Fremd to victory in the pole vault relay (19-6). The Air Force Academy-bound senior added a third in the 200 (25.8).

"It was a strong wind," said Mellado of the pole vault conditions. "But my speed help me push right through it."

Junior Melissa Schmidt took third in the 1,600 (5:21.9), leading Hoffman Estates (38 points) to seventh place.

Wheeling was 11th, including a third place in the frosh/soph 800 medley relay (1:58.3).

Schaumburg took second in the distance medley (12:41.2).