Scouting the Schaumburg sectional
Schaumburg sectional
Where: Busse Woods
When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday
Host: Schaumburg
What to know: Top five teams and top seven runners from non-qualifying teams advance to the Class 3A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria at 1 p.m. Nov. 6.
What to watch: Schaumburg and Palatine enter the meet ranked 1-2 according to the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches final poll. The Saxons defeated the Pirates by 4 points to win the Mid-Suburban League title, it figures to be another close battle Saturday. Individually Prospect's Brooke Wolfe is coming off a pair of victories in the MSL and Hoffman Estates regional and the sophomore is poised for a big finish.
Teams to Watch: Schaumburg and Palatine battled two weeks ago for the MSL title, with the Saxons winning by a narrow 4 points. The two teams are set to hook up once again on Saturday, which should be a preview of the state meet. Schaumburg won the Hoffman Estates regional and seniors Karen Lesiewicz, Colette Falsey, and Britten Petrey lead the Saxons attack. Palatine matched the Saxons by taking first at the Wheeling regional. Senior Courtney Brown, junior Emily Schulte and sophomore Tess Wasowicz lead the Pirates charge. Glenbrook North took first at the Lake Forest regional with sophomore Valerie Bobart, senior Kristen Bonsor and freshman Ellery Marrinan going 1-2-3. Fremd, Barrington, and Prospect will battle for the final two spots. Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows are solid teams and may pull a surprise.
Individuals to Watch:
Brooke Wolfe, Prospect The sophomore has been gold this season, can anyone match her?
Becca Batliner, Barrington The sophomore started slowly this season, but is coming on strong at the end.
Christina Gastfield, Rolling Meadows Last week the senior ran a conservative race, but she will be in the hunt on Saturday.
Karen Lesiewicz, Schaumburg The senior pushed Wolfe to the limit at the Hoffman Estates regional.
Courtney Brown, Palatine The senior has been the Pirates top runner all season.
Others to watch: Colette Falsey (Schaumburg), Britten Petrey (Schaumburg), Emily Schulte (Palatine), Tess Wasowicz (Palatine), Haley Goers (Hoffman Estates), Kelly Breen (Fremd), Lauren Poplawski (Prospect), Meghan Carroll (St. Viator).