MSL trio off and running

Karen Lesiewicz and Britten Petrey helped elevate the Schaumburg track and cross country program to new heights in 2010.

Now the Saxons’ senior duo is looking to take it to the next level.

Lesiewicz is set to sign at Notre Dame with Petrey ready to sign at University of Illinois on Wednesday. Both will compete in cross country and track.

Lesiewicz and Petrey combined with fellow senior Colette Falsey to help the Saxons set a school record and secure a Class 3A state championship in 3,200-meter relay (9:06.83) during the 2010 track season.

The trio then propelled the Saxons to Class 3A title in cross country last fall. Falsey is still undecided on her college choice.

“For four years they have been physical leaders, hard workers, dedicated, and great role models for the rest of the team,” said Schaumburg coach Jon Macnider of his senior leaders. “They set the tone for the team the last four years.”

Lesiewicz also set a school record in winning a 2010 3A state track title in the 1,600 (4:54.98) after finishing in the 800 in 2009. She finished seventh at the 3A state cross country meet last fall.

Lesiewicz will join former Mid-Suburban League track and cross country star Rebecca Tracy (Barrington) at Notre Dame. Coach Tim Connolly has led the Irish cross country team to four top-10 finishes in the NCAA the past eight years.

“I really felt comfortable and I liked all the girls,” said Lesiewicz, who will major in business with a minor in communications. “It was very family oriented.”

Petrey has made all-state the past two seasons in cross-country (20th in 2009 and 22nd in 2010). She also took sixth at the 2009 3A state track meet in the 1,600.

Petrey will join fellow MSL members Melissa Schmidt (Hoffman Estates) and Hannah Worman (Hoffman Estates) at Illinois.

Illinois coach Jeremy Rasmussen has the program on the rise.

“Melissa and Hannah both talked about how good the program was and they made me feel comfortable,” said Petrey, who will be enrolling in general studies. “Right then and there, I knew I wanted to go there.”

Lesiewicz and Petrey helped to revive a dormant Saxons’ program, sending hall-of-fame coach Macnider, who will retire this spring after 31 years of coaching, out in a blaze of glory.

“I never dreamed of doing what we did when I entered Schaumburg,” said Petrey, “It was kind of surreal.”

“It really was a fairy tale ending,” added Lesiewicz, “We ended on the right note.”

Now Lesiewicz and Petrey are ready to begin a new chapter.

Gastfield set to become a Lobo: Christina Gastfield originally was going to play volleyball instead of run cross country when she entered Rolling Meadows as freshman.

But former cross country coach and current Meadows girls athletic director Jim Voyles convinced Gastfield to give cross country a try.

Four years and three top-10 state finishes later the decision seemed to have worked for Gastfield and the Mustangs.

Gastfied is set to sign a letter of intent with New Mexico on Wednesday and will compete for the Lobos in cross country and track.

“I’m definitely happy with my decision to run, after my first workout I fell in love with it,” said Gastfield, who became only the sixth runner to finish in the top 10 at state for three consecutive years. “It’s a huge accomplishment.”

Meadows had only three runners make all-state in cross country before Gastfield cruised to three consecutive all-state finishes (eighth in 2008, second in 2009, sixth in 2010) to become the Mustangs’ top all-time distance runner.

“It’s outstanding,” Meadows cross country coach Kevin Young said of Gastfield’s accomplishments. “She’s tenacious and always steps up at the big meets.”

Gastfield is set to join a rising New Mexico program coached by Joe Franklin. The Lobos won the 2010 Mountain West Conference championship and finished fifth at the NCAA meet — the highest finish in program history.

Gastfield will join former Meadows star Ty Kirk in Albuquerque. Kirk is a receiver on the Lobos football team and also competes in the triple jump for the track team.

“It was completely different than anywhere else I visited,” said Gastfield, who is undecided in her major but is leaning toward a degree in nutrition. “I stayed with the girls, ran workouts with them, and really got to know them. I just felt comfortable.

“Even outside of running it felt like a perfect fit.”

Just as Gastfield has been a perfect fit for the Meadows running program.