Wolfe, Schaumburg out in front at Hoffman
It was business as usual for Schaumburg and Prospect sophomore Brooke Wolfe at the Class 3A Hoffman Estates regional.
Mid-Suburban League champion Schaumburg placed five runners in the top 10 in securing its seventh regional title and first since 2002 with 32 points at a soggy Busse Woods.
“It was good, solid race,” said Schaumburg coach Jon Macnider. “Now we just have to keep rockin' and rollin'. We just have to keep doing what we're doing … you can't re-invent it.”
Wolfe, who won the MSL title last week, had no letdown on Saturday, taking first in 17:17 and holding off a hard-charging finish by Schaumburg senior Karen Lesiewicz (17:18).
“I knew I didn't want to give it up that easily,” said Wolfe of her final outburst. “It was one of our last chances to get ready for the state meet, and that is what we used it for.”
Prospect (39 points), Hoffman Estates (87 points), Rolling Meadows (91 points), and Dundee-Crown (125 points) finished second through fifth. The top five teams qualified for next Saturday's Schaumburg sectional at Busse Woods.
Individual qualifiers included Maine East junior Aahuti Patel (30th place), Maine West senior Taylor Stephenson (32nd place), Elk Grove's Marissa De Peitro (33rd place) and Rachel Pruim (36th place), and Conant junior Rebecca Moore (37th place).
Lesiewicz led Schaumburg's charge but had plenty of help from senior Colette Falsey (17:39), sophomore Hannah Coombs (18:14), senior Britten Petrey (18:15) and junior Kelsey Steenstrup (18:30) who went 5,7,8, and 10 to push the Saxons to the title.
“We just wanted to have a strong team race,” said Lesiewicz, who was neck-and-neck with Wolfe coming down the home stretch. “This was just another step toward state. We are still working hard and we'll eventually pull it all together.”
Prospect continued a strong season by placing five runners in the top 13. Sophomore Lauren Poplawski (17:38) took fourth followed by junior Laura Maibuecher (18:21), senior Savannah Snead (18:45) and senior Mary Styzek (18:53).
Wolfe was once again in fine form in setting the tone for the Knights with her title.
“We really tried to pick it up today and we did,” said Wolfe.
Hoffman Estates finished seventh in the MSL last weekend, but the Hawks rebounded nicely with junior Haley Goers (17:33) taking third. Junior Hannah Worman (18:30) looked impressive in taking 11th, followed by junior Takshaka Patel (19:07) who finished 19th.
“We closed significant gaps today with the teams ahead of us,” said Hoffman Estates coach Kirk Macnider. “It was a step in the right direction. I just want us to have some energy so we are able to put up a fight next week.”
Rolling Meadows will also be in the mix for a state berth next week. Christina Gastfield (17:47), ran a controlled race in finishing sixth to lead the Mustangs.
Meadows was missing their No. 2 runner, Rebecca Zych, but senior Colleen Vrshek (18:59) took 16th to aid the Mustangs' attack.
“She's a big part of our team and that will help us next week,” said Gastfield of the return of Zych. “We need to get our pack close together and close the gaps.”
Senior Claire Himmel (19:00) took 18th place, helping Dundee-Crown secure the final spot to next week's sectional.
“The key was running as a pack and finding each other,” said Dundee-Crown coach Amy Burns of the Chargers attack that also featured sophomore Jade Franz (19:13) and senior Katie Gross (19:29) finishing 21st and 25th.