Schmidt, Hoffman roll at Lake Park
Hoffman Estates' Melissa Schmidt was a relative novice when it came to cross country last season. But as a junior she proved to be a quick learner by finishing her first season in 17th place in the state in Class 3A.
As a senior, Schmidt has the whole package and put it on display at the 35th annual Lake Park Invitational by taking first in 17:02 and leading Hoffman to the team title with 50 points Saturday.
Schmidt pushed the early pace with a 5:32 opening mile and then made separation from Prospect freshman phenom Brooke Wolfe (17:25) in the final mile to nail down the victory with a 23-second cushion.
"Last year I started fast but couldn't finish as hard as I wanted," said Schmidt of her debut season. "But now I'm feeling like I can take it out hard and push it to the end, and keep picking up pace."
Tenth-ranked Hoffman finished strong with five runners in the top 22 in securing the title and upending top-ranked Prospect and No. 6 Schaumburg.
"Huge effort by everyone on the team today," said Hoffman coach Kirk Macnider of his squad that had three sophomores in its top five. "We're going to take every meet as it comes - we're not going to back off."
Sophomore Haley Worman (18:11) and sophomore Haley Goers (18:11) took seventh and eighth for the Hawks. Senior Hannah Worman (18:24), working herself back into the flow after a stress fracture in track, notched 12th, and sophomore Takshaka Patel (18:45) completed the scoring in 22nd.
"We're looking up to Hannah and Melissa," said Haley Worman of the sophomores' contribution. "They're amazing and they're showing us what to do."
As far as early warnings go, the Hawks are looking pretty amazing.
"We understand it's only week two," cautioned Macnider, "But we're going to keep working and we're going to be there in November."
Newly anointed No. 1 Prospect looked solid early, but faded a bit in the final quarter mile in taking second with 65 points.
Wolfe and senior Annette White (17:32) finished second and fourth for the Knights
"We kind of use it as motivation, it pushes us harder," said White of Prospect's ranking. "It's still early in the season and we still have a lot of races to go. We're still kind of experimenting and learning."
Wolfe had her second consecutive strong showing at an invite and has blended in nicely.
"She fits in on the team like a veteran," added Prospect coach Dave Wurster of his freshman, who challenged Schmidt for the lead the first two miles of the race.
Junior Savannah Snead (18:27) and senior Kasey Krum (18:37) finished 13th and 18th for Prospect.
"We're just getting into competition and seeing what it's like," added Wurster of the Knights' high expectations. "Hopefully we'll be taking good strides forward."
Schaumburg (79) also looked very impressive in securing third place with four runners in the top 23.
Junior Britten Petrey (17:31) and junior Karen Lesiewicz (17:50) took third and fifth.
"Coach (Jon Macnider) prepared us for what was going to happen," said Petrey. "He told us we just needed to go out there and have heart."
Junior Colette Falsey (18:44) and senior Nora Ferguson (18:51) added to the Saxons' assault by taking 21st and 23rd.
"Finishing third is a building block for what is coming up next," added Petrey
Sami Fry (17:56) continued to open eyes by running with the lead group and securing a sixth-place finish to lead Downers Grove North (139) to fourth place.
Fry clung to the lead pack early, which led to a strong finish.
"It's helpful because I'm not the kind of person that goes out strong," added Fry of her start. "I know if I can stick with them I would be set up well at the end."
The Trojans also received a key contribution from junior Gaby Effrein (18:36), who secured 16th place.
Alyssa Schneider has picked up where she left off last season. Last year the Bartlett junior took fifth in Class 3A in cross country and also finished fifth in Class 3A in the 1,600 meters at the state track meet.
Schneider (18:14) challenged for the lead early before finishing 10th and leading the Hawks to fifth place (183).
"I'm building off it," said Schneider of her impressive sophomore campaign. "But I want to keep the same standards and show I can do it again."
Bartlett coach Beth Emody admits her junior is still learning and Saturday's blistering opening was another learning experience.
"She seems to be taking it out a little faster than she is used to," added Emody of the early pace. "She is trying to adjust to that and figure out how she wants to race."
Sophomore Taylor Crawford (18:32) aided the Hawks by taking 15th place.
Senior Ashley Prochazka (18:41) continued to build on a strong start for Lake Park by securing 20th place and leading the host Lancers to sixth.
"It was a very fast pace and I tried to stay with them the best as I could," said Prochazka, "I'm feeling pretty strong, so I'll continue to build off that."
Freshman Anne Denz (18:36) notched 17th place to push Wheaton North to seventh. Streamwood sophomore Amanda Patterson took 24th (18:51).
St. Viator senior Ronnie Mack (18:58) took 26th, Katie Goplerud (19:42) finished 43rd for South Elgin and Agnes Kukla (19:06) took 29th for Elk Grove.