Wasowicz provides the punch for Palatine

Palatine junior Tess Wasowicz helped turn the tide for the Pirates at the Mark Saylor Mid-Suburban League indoor meet.

The Palatine junior started the Pirates roll by cruising to a solid victory in the 800 (2:15.46), and she kept things going by coming from behind to nip Prospect junior Brooke Wolfe at the line in the 1,600 (5:07.31). Wasowicz capped her day by anchoring the Pirates to a first-place finish in the 1,600 relay (4:06.87).

Palatine secured its 17th MSL indoor title with 90 points at North Central College in Naperville.

Prospect took second with 82 points, followed by Fremd (67 points), Schaumburg (56 points), and Rolling Meadows (33.5 points).

“I don’t know if we’ve ever had a better day from a Palatine distance runner,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks of Wasowicz’s sterling performance. “It was an incredible day. We started off kind of slow, but we finished well.”

In the race of the day Wasowicz bided her time as Wolfe took control of the 1,600, but the Pirate junior used a strong surge in the final 100 meters to nip Wolfe (5:07.33) at the line in a photo finish.

“Brooke (Wolfe) really set the pace, and I probably should have gone sooner,” said Wasowicz of her electrifying finish. “I got a bit lucky; it definitely gives me a lot of confidence.”

Wasowicz had plenty of help, with junior Meg Jump taking first in the long jump (17 feet, 4.5 inches) and triple jump (35-2). Jump also combined with Wasowicz, junior Taylor Tenca, and sophomore Cassidy McPherson in the 1,600 relay victory.

Senior Laura Schweikert added a first-place finish for the Pirates in the 400 (59.13), a second-place in the 200 (26.11), and was part of the second-place finish in the 800 relay (1:49.38).

Palatine also had a third-place finish in the 3,200 relay (9:47.63).

“Today was a big effort in coming together as a team,” said Jump. “We knew every point counted and everyone contributed.”

Palatine needed every point as Prospect set the early pace and was leading the meet with two events remaining.

Junior Lauren Poplawski, freshman Hannah Getschman, and sophomore Christina Santiago combined with Wolfe in helping the Knights secure their only victory in the 3,200 relay with in an impressive 9:28.04.

But the Knights were able to score across the board. Wolfe added a second-place finish in the 1,600, senior Christine Grossman took second in the 400 (1:00.99) and Poplawski added a third-place finish in the 800 (2:22.17).

In the field, the Knights were just as efficient as senior Abby Banna (9-0) and junior Maggie Devereux (9-0) went 2-3 in the pole vault, junior Carissa Weis took second in the triple jump (34-01.5), and freshman Catherine Sherwood placed third in the long jump (16-0).

“We have a pretty deep team and we’re coming together,” said Wolfe. “We have a lot of experience in the distance, and we’re feeding off a strong cross country season.”

Fremd also offered a versatile attack. Senior Stephanie Uhrich set a meet record by clearing 5-foot-5 in taking first in the high jump, and also added a first-place finish in the pole vault (10-3).

“I just have to keep doing what I’ve done at practice,” said Uhrich who took ninth in Class 3A in the high jump last season. “I’m looking to go higher, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”

Senior Kathryn Kendzior took second in the 55-meter hurdles (8.94), and senior Laura Plager added a third-place finish in the 400 (1:01.19).

Darneisha Spann helped pace Schaumburg. The Saxons sophomore took first in the 55 hurdles (8.93), had third-place finishes in the 55 dash (7.47) and 200 (26.70) and combined with senior Lauren Lindgren, junior Jasmine Bethea, and freshman Vivianne Leonard in taking first in the 800 relay (1:48.93).

“Last year it was a little bit rough for me because I was fresh to hurdles,” said Spann. “This year I’ve stepped up and I’m getting more comfortable.”

Freshman Caroline Kurdej added a first-place finish in the 3,200 (11:18.01), with junior Hannah Coombs adding a second-place finish for the Saxons in the 800 (2:20.8).

Sophomore Mia Harper took second in the 55 dash (7.43) and junior Morgan Keller added a second-place finish in the shot put (40-09.5) in supplying the punch for Rolling Meadows. Senior Amanda Sanchez also had a second-place finish for the Mustangs in the 3,200 (11:18.49).

Senior Angela Herrmann took victories in the 55 dash (7.23) and 200 (25.87) for Conant.

“I’m really motivated because I’m a senior and this is my last year,” said Herrmann. “I just have to stay confident.”

Junior Banke Oginni gave Hoffman Estates a lift by taking first place in the shot put (41-10.75).

“I’m feeling much more confident this year,” said Oginni. “But I know there are a lot of good throwers out there.”