Palatine shines brightest at Hoffman Estates
There was definitely some starpower at the opening Mid-Suburban League West triangular at Hoffman Estates on Tuesday.
Senior Laura Schweikert and junior Tess Wasowicz helped guide Palatine to the victory with 74 points, with Fremd (69 points) and host Hoffman (41 points) following.
Schweikert won a medals at last year’s state meet taking sixth in the 400, the senior showed she is ready for more this season by cruising to first in the 400 (59.1) and adding a first in the 200 (25.9).
“I’m feeling more confident and I know what I can do now,” said Schweikert. “It seems like you have a lot of time, but it goes by so fast. It’s time to get our work in.”
Wasowicz definitely got her work in. The junior took first in the 3,200 (11:47.9) and 1,600 (5:12.3). She also combined with sophomores Cassidy McPherson and Liz Cox and freshman Kara Burton in taking first in the 3,200 relay (9:48.8), along with adding a second-place finish in the 800 (2:23.7).
Wasowicz saved her best for the final event, the 1,600, when she passed Hoffman Estates’ Haley Goers (5:17.9) just before the final lap in cruising to the victory.
“Goers did a good job of setting the pace,” said Wasowicz of her 1,600 victory. “I just wanted to stick with her, and then I went for it. I didn’t want make it to close at the end.”
Junior Taylor Tenca took first in the long jump (15-7) and junior Megan O’Brien added a first-place finish in the discus (105-1) to spur the Pirates’ drive.
Palatine concluded the day by winning the 1,600 relay in 4:18.7.
“You expect the veterans to do their job,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks of Schweikert and Wasowicz. “Now we’re searching for some new faces to add to the attack — I think we saw some progress.”
Fremd hung close, as seniors Kathyrn Kendzior and Taryn Lempa gave the Vikings a nice lift by going 1-2 in the 100 high and 300 low hurdles.
Kendzior also helped Fremd to victory in the 400 relay (51.5), while Lempa help push the Vikings to a win in the 800 relay (1:51.4).
“I’m really improving my form and my starts for both hurdle events,” said Kendzior. “I have to keep working hard; qualifying for state is definitely a goal.”
Senior Stephanie Uhrich also did her part, adding victories in the high jump (5-3) and pole vault (10-6). Both were state qualifying marks and her pole vault was a personal best.
Junior Leah Ferguson (30-11) and senior Ida Crawford (30-11) went 1-2 in the triple jump for a Vikings squad that is definitely on the rise.
Hoffman Estates won its first state trophy with a third-place finish in Class 3A last season. The pieces are there for another strong run by the Hawks.
Senior Emily D’Amico and senior Haley Goers combined to win 4 state medals last season, the Hawk duo is gearing up for another big run this season.
The Purdue-bound Goers took first in the 800 (2:22.6) and helped set the pace for the 1,600 before taking second.
“It would be great to finish as well if not better than we finished last year,” said Goers. “We have the potential; I’m excited to see what happens.”
Hoffman sprint star D’Amico has been dealing with a right foot injury this season, but the Michigan bound senior shook off the rust to take first in 100 (12.4) on Tuesday.
“It definitely feels good getting back out there,” said D’Amico who was limited due to the foot injury during the indoor season. “My coaches have been telling me to take it day by day, and keep working. Hopefully it will come by the end of the season”
Sophomore Banke Oginni is also opening eyes for the Hawks, adding an impressive first place finish in the shot put (38-3).