Palatine repeats Mid-Suburban League reign

Palatine didn't have its security blanket this year, but the Pirates had it all covered at the 39th annual Mid-Suburban League meet.

Last season, Palatine leaned on its throwers, who scored 33 points in winning MSL title.

On a cool and somewhat windy Friday, the Pirates used a balanced attack in pulling away from pesky Hoffman Estates to win the title 152-124.5 at Chic Anderson Stadium in Palatine.

Conant took third with 89.5 points followed by Schaumburg and Prospect, who tied for fourth with 76.5 points.

Palatine had double scorers in 10 of the 14 individual events to pull away and win their second consecutive MSL title and ninth overall.

"We talked to the kids and told them we had to go out there and fight for everything," said Palatine coach Steve Currins of the Pirates' title. "We came through at the end and I'm really proud of how they fought."

Ruth Allen led the charge by pulling away early to win the 800 meters (2:13.7). The senior came back to take second in 1,600 (5:06.2) and helped lead the Pirates to second in the 1,600 relay (4:05.1).

"We depended on the throwers last season, almost like a security blanket," said Allen. "This year we've all been working hard, and we brought it all together tonight."

Juniors Valere Guertin, Meghan Flanagan, and Morgan Quinnett combined with sophomore Laura Schweikert to lead Palatine to first in the 400 relay (49.5).

Guertin took second in the long jump (16-10.5), Flanagan added a third in both the pole vault (10-6) and 100 high hurdles (15.8), and Quinnett powered to a second in the 300 low hurdles (48.1) to propel the Pirates' attack.

Schweikert also took second in the 400 (58.7) and 200 (26.4). Freshman Meg Jump added a first in the triple jump (35-4) to complete the Pirates' victory.

"We didn't have the security blanket this year," added Quinnett, "but after losing the West division title by a point we knew every point counted. We tried our hardest and didn't hold anything back."

Hoffman Estates has come a long way in five years under coach Dan Anderson.

The Hawks finished ninth with 28 points in 2006, Anderson's first year, but they have made giant strides and took second for the second straight year.

Junior Precious Ogunleye led the charge by sweeping both the shot put (43-9.5) and discus (142-0). Ogunleye had three scratches in the discus before nailing down the title with a school-record throw on her final attempt. Her sister Erica added a second-place finish in the shot put (38-10).

"There was a little bit of pressure but I knew I had to come through," said Ogunleye of her discus victory.

Hawks senior Melissa Schmidt came from behind in the final 100 meters to pull out the victory in the 3,200 (10:53.1), and Kristie Hisey added a victory in the high jump (5-1).

Emily D'Amico (12.4) and Sharron Jones (12.5) went 1-2 in the 100 - with D'Amico nipping Palatines Schweikert at the finish line to claim the victory in the 200 (26.4) for the Hawks.

"I love the competition it's great," said D'Amico of her narrow 200 victory. "The wind was pretty brutal, but I knew I had to push the final 100 meters."

Junior Sarah Gorden (15.1) and senior Josie Hutch (15.6) went 1-2 for Conant in the 100 high hurdles, with Gorden coming back to take first in the 300 low hurdles (46.7).

"It definitely getting better," added Gorden of her 100-high hurdle victory. "It wasn't quite my best performance but I was able to get the victories."

Hutch also was clutch in taking first in the long jump (17-2.5) and the Cougars also powered to a victory in the 800 relay (1:46.6).

Schaumburg flexed its muscle on the track with junior Karen Lesiewicz (5:03.8) coming from behind with 200 meters remaining to take first in a loaded 1,600 field.

"I really like to try and push it the third lap, that's when you make it or break it," said Lesiewicz, who battled Palatine's Allen and Prospect Brooke Wolfe the final two laps. "That last 200 I felt awesome."

Junior Colette Falsey also stepped up big, leading the Saxons to first in the 3,200 relay (9:20.4) and 1,600 relay (4:01.5) and adding a second in the 800 (2:16.9).

"I was just trying to bring it home and take the victory," said Falsey of her anchor leg in the 1,600 relay. "We're still mixing around the relays. We have a small team, but we still have a lot of depth."

Freshman Brooke Wolfe took second in the 3,200 (10:55.9) and third in the 1,600 (5:08.4) to help power Prospect.

"I just wanted to go for a good time today," said Wolfe who led on the final lap in both the 1,600 and 3,200. "Tonight there was a lot of good competitors and it will help in the future."

The Knights also took second in the 3,200 relay (9:28.7), with Samantha Sturm taking second in the discus (130-0). Grace Gruendel added a second place in the pole vault (10-6).

Senior Anna Etherington took first in the pole vault (11-0) and senior Jorie Frey added a first in the 400 (57.6) to power Barrington.

"I felt fast the whole way," said Frey of her 400 victory. "I was looking for a better time, but it was a bit windy."