Girls track / Cook County weekend preview
Palatine RelaysWhen: Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by the afternoon session at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Where: Chic Anderson Stadium, Palatine High School
Teams participating: Barrington, Bloomington, Bloomington Central Catholic, Conant, Fremd, Huntley, Lane Tech, Mundelein, Palatine, Prairie Ridge, Peoria Richwoods, St. Francis, Sandburg, Wheeling.
Outlook: This marks the 79th addition of the Palatine Relays, and the longest running track and field meet in the state is getting better with age. The defending champion and host Palatine seems to be poised to add to the tradition. he Pirates won the Mid-Suburban League West Division title Tuesday and are poised to make some noise Saturday. Palatine offers plenty of experience with seniors Becca Sund, Sarah McIntosh, Courtney Brown, Val Guetin, Morgan Quinnett and Meghan Flanagan. Sund, McIntosh and Brown pace the Pirates#146; distance squads, while Guertin, Quinnnett and Flanagan fill in the pieces for the sprint relays. Flanagan cleared 11-9 on Saturday to tie the school pole vault record. Also adding some punch are junior Laura Schweikert, sophomore Tess Wasowicz and sophomore Meg Jump. #147;With 14 teams, I think we are going to find some competition,#148; said Palatine coach Joe Parks, #147;We just have to keep building.#148; Be sure to get there early. The 300 low hurdles, which is scheduled for 9 a.m., features Conant senior Sarah Gorden and Peoria Richwoods sophomore Brenna Detra, two of the state#146;s top competitors. Also in the field are Barrington junior Melissa Madden and Mundelein senior Megan Geldernick.
Cougar Twilight
When: Friday, field events 4:30 p.m., track finals approximately 6 p.m.
Where: Charles Feutz Field, Conant High School
Teams participating: Bartlett, Belvidere North, Bloomington, Buffalo Grove, Conant, Rockford Guilford, Hersey, Hoffman Estates, Lake Park, Minooka, Montini, Morton, Prospect, Riverside-Brookfield.
Outlook: The 20th annual Cougar Twilight is shaping up to be quite a battle. Host Conant, MSL East Division champion Prospect and defending champion Hoffman Estates will definitely put each other to the test in the A-B-C meet. Senior Sarah Gorden will pace the host Cougars in both the 100 high hurdles and 300 high hurdles. Junior Emily D#146;Amico is one of the state#146;s elite sprintersand will team with senior Precious Ogunleye (throws), and junior Haley Goers (distance) to pace Hoffman Estates. Junior Laura Maibuecher and sophomore Lauren Poplawski give Prospect a powerful 1-2 punch in the distance events. Senior Haley Scott and senior Michaela Dwyer give Hersey depth in the jumps, and senior Danielle Perkins will pace the Huskies in the sprints.
Distance alert: Seniors Karen Lesiewicz, Britten Petrey, and Colette Falsey powered Schaumburg to the Class 3A state title in the 3,200 relay last year. The three Saxons will team up for the first time in the outdoor season Friday at Wheaton Warrenville South.