Grayslake C. runs to second at Taylor Invitational
It was a good day for Lake County area girls cross country teams at the 12th Annual James "J.T." Taylor Invitational as the weather cooperated with runners for the first time this season during a Saturday meet.
No. 12-ranked Class 2A squad Marengo won the 12-team meet on the 3-mile Camp Henry Horner course with 56 points as the Indians were able to overcome a very solid effort by runner-up Grayslake Central with 87 points.
Host team Grant also had a good performance on the rugged course with a third-place score of 100 points to hold off fourth-place squad Waukegan (105 points) down the stretch. Carmel (116 points) was not far behind in fifth.
The battle for first place in the individual race was easily won by Marengo sophomore Katie Adams in 18:20, but Grant freshman Lindsey Lewis (18:47) managed to stay ahead of Marengo freshman Allie Sprague by seven seconds to capture runner-up honors.
"I think this is the best course, it goes really fast, and I felt really good," said Lewis. "My goal was to break 19 minutes today and I ran an 18:47."
Grayslake Central's second-place finish was a real team effort led by freshman Korina Gomez in fifth, Erika Garcia in 15th, Elsie Rehberg in 18th, and Becky May in 20th.
"Korina (Gomez) has started to emerge as our top runner and it's a nice thing to have because we had a strong pack of five, but we did not have a top runner," said Grayslake Central coach Jim Centella. "She (Gomez) ran her second best time (19:11) of the year on a really challenging course so that is really good for her confidence."
Besides Lewis' run for second place, the host Bulldogs received a 16th-place finish from senior Trisha Palmieri and a 19th-place run from junior Kacie Wodek.
After running in rainy and muddy conditions the past two weekends, runners were treated to a dry and fast course on this sunny morning with temperatures in the mid-50's at racetime.
"The girls ran faster than they did here Monday against Antioch and Vernon Hills and I don't think we ever had a girl break 19 minutes on this course," said Grant coach Jeff Durlak. "So that is a good sign for her (Lewis) and she ran a good race. She gradually picked up her pace and it was her best overall race from start to finish all year."
Carmel sophomore Caitlin Murphy was another area runner who shined Saturday as Murphy placed fourth in 18:58 to lead the Corsairs' pack. Junior Sarah Myss was Carmel's No. 2 runner in 14th place.
"It's only her (Murphy's) third race ever so it was an outstanding performance," said Carmel coach Jim Halford. "Sarah (Myss) took 14th and she is normally going to run close to Murphy so that is where I'm optimistic."
Round Lake coach Kevin Brady chose to enter only five runners in the varsity race, but junior Celeste Acosta did lead the Panthers' troops in 21st place.
"Our top girl today was Celeste Acosta and Rachel White took fourth place in the fresh-soph girls race," said Brady. "I think we had a pretty good meet and a bunch of kids had their personal best times."
Junior Megan Mikenas led Wauconda's pack in 23rd place followed by Lakes senior Samantha Detterbeck in 26th, Grant's Tara Cwiak in 28th, Grayslake Central's Miranda Gomez in 29th, and Carmel's Nicole Bitter in 30th.
No. 11-ranked Lakes (Class 2A) held out its top five runners in preparation for its North Suburban Prairie showdown against Vernon Hills on Monday.
"It was a hard decision because this meet features some teams we will see at sectionals, but we needed the top five on varsity ready to go," said Lakes coach Keith West. "We have a big dual meet against Vernon Hills and we are looking for personal records across the board on Monday."
Grayslake North only had three runners competing in the varsity race, but senior standout Kimmy Denikas has still not run this fall due to health issues.