Palatine slams door

Palatine's girls track team closed the door on a Mid-Suburban West title Tuesday.

The host Pirates won seven events in cruising to the title with 156 points, followed by Barrington (124 points), Hoffman Estates (92), Fremd (77), Conant (66) and Schaumburg (39).

Junior Meg Jump got Palatine rolling by taking the long jump (16-7½) and triple jump (35-3½) and the Pirates closed the meet with a thrilling victory in the 1,600-meter relay (4:06.6).

“It seemed like the girls came to compete,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks. “It's only going to get bigger from here on out, and the girls are definitely learning how to compete.”

It showed in the meet-ending relay as sophomore Cassidy McPherson held off a hard-charging Lauren Cropsey of Barrington (4:06.7) to give the Pirates a thrilling victory.

“I could hear the footsteps behind me,” said McPherson, who also won the 800 (2:20). “In the last 100 meters I just used my arms the best I could. I think we're coming on.”

McPherson combined with Jump, freshman Caitlin Reidy and junior Tess Wasowicz in leading the Pirates to the victory.

Wasowicz gave the Pirates an early spark with a comfortable victory in the 3,200 (11:09.4).

Senior Laura Schweikert added to the Pirates attack with a victory in the 200 (25.8), and she also combined with Ashley Proska, Ashley Harris and Taylor Tenca for the victory in the 400 relay (50.6).

“Things are coming together,” said Wasowicz of the Pirates attack. “We're looking to do some great things, we're excited.”

Barrington also showed its potential. Senior Melissa Madden took first in the 400 (60.50 and also took second in the 100 high hurdles (16.0). The senior also helped power the second-place finish in the 1,600 relay.

“It was neck and neck,” said Madden of the 1,600 relay. “It exciting to see what girls we can switch in and go for faster times.”

Senior Caroline Carley helped the Fillies by taking second in the 1,600 (5:11.4), senior Rebecca Tracy added a second-place finish in the 800 (2:23.9), with Samantha Babiuk (8-9) taking first in the pole vault. “We have a lot of kids stepping up and we have great senior leadership this season,” said Barrington coach Jody Gitelis. “The younger kids are learning from the veterans.”

Sophomore Banke Oginni gave Hoffman a lift by taking first in the shot put (44-7), her throw was a personal best. Senior Haley Goers added a first-place finish in the 1,600 (5:10.7) and combined with Tyra Palmer, Elsabet Haile and Solome Haile in leading the Hawks to first place in the 3,200 relay (9:33.1).

“It was a decent day,” said Goers, who took control of the 1,600 in the third lap, “I'm ready for the postseason and I'm excited to see what happens.”

Ali Englehardt added a first place for Hoffman in the high jump (5-0).

Ida Crawford took second for Fremd in the long jump (16-0½) and triple jump (34-0). Junior Leah Ferguson added a second-place finish for the Vikings in the 100 (12.6) with Kathryn Kendzior adding a second-place finish in the 300 hurdles (48.0).

Senior Angela Herrmann helped pace Conant by taking first in the 100 (12.3) and combining with Daisy Okpa, Tracy Iroegbulem and Jasmine Lastrella to take first in the 800 relay (1:46.7).

“I'm feeling much more confident this season,” said Herrmann, who is coming off an achilles injury. “I'm looking to prove myself this season.”

Jennifer Donnell added to Conant's attack by taking first in the discus (116-2) and second in the shot put (41-4). Darneisha Span gave Schaumburg a lift by taking first in the 100 high hurdles (15.3) and 300 low hurdles (46.1).

“My form has really developed this year,” said Span, who keeps dropping her time. “I was nowhere near these times this year. I just want to keep improving.”

Prospect takes MSL East title

Prospect was able to get plenty of answers at the Mid-Suburban East division meet at Wheeling.

The Knights offered a deep attack that won 7 events en route to a comfortable victory with 195 points.

Hersey took second with 114.5 points followed by Wheeling (112), Rolling Meadows (89.5), Buffalo Grove (23) and Elk Grove (20).

“The meet gave us plenty of positive answers, but it also left us with some good questions,” said Prospect coach Dave Wurster. “We were able to move a lot of our runners around, now we just have to decide where to put people. But I'm definitely feeling positive.”

Prospect took first in the 400 relay (50.9), 800 relay (1:47.6) and 3,200 relay (9:48.3).

Junior Lauren Poplawski added a first-place finish in the 3,200 (11:30.8) with junior Brooke Wolfe taking first in the 800 (2:25.9). Freshman Catherine Sherwood added a pair of victories in the long jump (16-11) and triple jump (34-5).

Hersey senior Nora Gawlik opened a few eyes by taking an impressive first in the 1,600 (5:05.6) outlasting Rolling Meadows Amanda Sanchez (5:07.2) and Prospect's Wolfe (5:11.7). Jamie Timm gave the Huskies a pair of victories in the 100 high hurdles (16.0) and 300 high hurdles (48..

Senior Sydney Keith helped pace a fast-improving Wheeling squad by taking first in both the 100 (12.5) and 200 (26.5). Eva Poznanski added a first in the high jump (5-0) and the Wildcats also took first in the 1,600 relay (4:17.7).

Morgan Keller added a pair of impressive victories for Rolling Meadows in the shot put (42-8) and discus (140-1), with Mia Harper taking first for the Mustangs in the 400 (60.5) and Olivia Maciejewska taking the top spot in the pole vault (9-9).