Palatine wins West opener
Palatine opened the door to the girls track outdoor season in fine fashion on Tuesday.
The host Pirates offered a glimpse of their potential by winning eight events in cruising to an impressive Mid-Suburban League West triangular victory with 95 points.
Hoffman Estates, who has finished second in the MSL the past two year, took second with 53 points, followed by Schaumburg (41 points).
It was quite an opener for the three MSL West schools that each have state trophy aspirations this spring. The three schools combined in securing 10 state medals in Class 3A last season, and are looking to add to that count this season.
“It wasn’t your typical opener,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks, whose team is two-time defending MSL champions. “We just want to keep building on what we’ve been doing.”
Sophomore Meg Jump led the charge by setting a school record and winning the triple jump (37-1) and also taking first in the long jump (16-7).
“The expectations are to do your best and then do better the next time,” said Jump, who finished 11th in Class 3A in the triple jump last season but is looking for more this season. “I’m really excited for this year and I’m looking to do better. Looking to go out there and do my best and hopefully something great will happen.”
Senior Meghan Flanagan finished eighth in the pole vault in Class 3A last season and showed no signs of slowing down. She took first in the pole vault (11-0), easily clearing the state mark, and also adding a first place in the 100 high hurdles (16.7).
Sophomore Tess Wasowicz flew under the state mark in taking first in the 800 (2:17.9). Jessica Lincoln, Sarah McIntosh, Cassidy McPherson, and Liz Cox added a first in the 3,200 relay (9:59.3).
Laura Schweikert kept things rolling by hitting the state mark in taking first in the 400 (59.2). The junior then combined with Flanagan, senior Val Guertin and senior Morgan Quinnett in helping the Pirates nip Hoffman Estates for first in the 400 relay (50.8).
“We wanted to see where we’re starting,” added Schweikert who took fourth in Class 3A in the 400 last season. “We’re testing out different spots and trying to get a feel for the season.”
Precious Ogunleye already has two state medals in the shot put for Hoffman Estates, and the senior is picking up where she left off by taking first in the shot put (43-7) and discus (118-6), both are state qualifying marks.
“This is the time of year you want to see improvements,” said Ogunleye. “Palatine and Schaumburg are our two biggest rivals in conference so it’s good way to get things started.”
Junior Emily D’Amico gave the Hawks a lift by sweeping the 100 (12.3) and 200 (26.2), and junior Haley Goers looked impressive by taking second with a state-qualifying time in the 3,200 (11:00.9).
Schaumburg also offered a very balance and potent attack. Senior Karen Lesiewicz breezed to the victory with a state-qualifying time in the 3,200 (10:47.8), and senior Colette Falsey also went under the state mark in winning the 1,600 (5:07.2).
Saxons senior Britten Petrey showed she will be a force by taking first in the 300 low hurdles (47.6), and junior Whitney Grossman added a first in the high jump (5-0).
The Saxons also offered a bit of speed as Lauren Lindgren, Jasmine Bethea, Maika Kumamoto, and Emily Langlotz combined to win the 800 relay (1:48.7).
Kumamoto and Langlotz then combined with Petrey and Jordan Wagner to lead the Saxons to an impressive win in the 1,600 relay (4:06.1).
“We’re definitely not one to show our cards right away,” said Lesiewicz, the defending Class 3A 1,600 state champion. “We have a lot of potential, and by May anything can happen.”