Palatine, Prospect win MSL division titles

Palatine was back in the swing of things on Tuesday night at the Mid-Suburban West girls track and field meet.

The Pirates offered a deep and balanced attack in taking the West title with 138 points on a cool and breezy night at Schaumburg.

Hoffman Estates offered a stiff challenge, taking second with 116.5 points, followed by Schaumburg (98), Conant (72), Barrington (67.5) and Fremd (60).

“We’re in the swing of things now,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks of the Pirates attack. “We’re headed in the right direction and we’ll still be putting the pieces together.”

Sophomore Meg Jump ignited the Pirates attack by taking first in the long jump (17-0) and triple jump (35-9.5).

Jump also combined with Val Guertin, Taylor Tenca, and Laura Schweikert in leading the Pirates to first in the 800 relay (1:46.6).

“It’s time to work harder now, the meets just get more and more important,” said Jump of the looming postseason.

Schweikert also took second in the 100 (13.0) and 200 (24.7) to aid the Pirates attack.

“We’re just trying to get better at every meet,” added Schweikert, “We’re just focusing on training hard and trying to get our times down.”

Meghan Flanagan took first in the pole vault (10-9) and also added a second in the 100 high hurdles (16.0) for Palatine.

Senior Precious Ogunleye powered Hoffman by taking first in the shot put (41-8) and discus (133-10). Junior Emily D’Amico sizzled in taking first in the 100 (12.2) and 200 (24.0).

“I know this is crunch time now and I just want to keep progressing,” said D’Amico. “I have a lot more experience and feel a lot stronger as a runner.”

Junior Haley Goers was also a hit by taking an impressive first in the 3,200 (10:57.7) and second in the 1,600 (5:07.2).

“I just felt really good and decided to move the pace,” said Goers, who took the lead in the 3,200 with three laps remaining. “The more events I do, the more fun I have.”

Andrea Miller-Bey aided the Hawks attack by taking first in the 400 (60.2).

Schaumburg senior Karen Lesiewicz pulled away with two laps remaining to secure first in the 1,600 (4:57.3) and Colette Falsey switched gears in the final lap to take first in the 800 (2:15.4).

“Those last two laps my mind shift into fast mode,” said Lesiewicz of her 1,600 victory. “It gets my motor going.”

“That’s more like it,” said Falsey of her performance, “Definitely boosted my confidence.”

Senior Britten Petrey added a first in the 300 low hurdles (46.5) and the Saxons also took first in the 1,600 relay (4:07.5).

Elle Tracy, Alexis Argianas, Sarah Miller, and Caroline Carley combined to lead Barrington to first in the 3,200 relay (9:36.8).

Sarah Gorden took first in the 100 low hurdles (15.0) and helped lead Conant to first in the 400 relay (49.6).

Stephanie Uhrich (5-0) and Anna Johnson (5-0) went 1-2 in the high jump to lead Fremd.

Prospect wins East title: Prospect had it all covered on Tuesday night at Rolling Meadows in winning the MSL East title.

The Knights won five events in rolling to the title with 170 points, Hersey took second with 151, followed by host Rolling Meadows’ 126.

Junior Laura Maibuecher (5:18.9) and freshman Christina Santiago (5:20) went 1-2 in the 1,600 to lead the Knights.

Grace Gruendel added first in the pole vault (9-6) and the Knights also won the 1,600 relay.

Samantha Sturm took first in the discus, with sophomore Lauren Poplawski adding a first in the 800 (2:20.4), and Christina Grossman taking first in the 400 (61.9).

“I think we were able to cover all the events and our depth showed,” said Prospect coach Dave Wurster of the Knights, who also took first in the 3,200 relay.

Dana Markech took first in the 100 high hurdles (15.5) and 300 low hurdles (47.9) to lead Hersey.

Danielle Perkins took first in the 100 (12.4) and Haley Scott added a first in the triple jump (35-9) for Hersey.

The Huskies also took first in the 400 relay (50.4) and 800 relay (1:45.3).

Vicky Pavlou took first in the long jump (16-2.5), Christina Gastfield added a first in the 3,200 (11:34.9) and Morgan Keller took first in the shot put to pace Rolling Meadows.