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Cross country: Vernon Hills girls, Palatine boys shine on sunny day

The Vernon Hills girls and the Palatine boys cross country teams were victorious in dual meets Wednesday on a picture - perfect day for running on Wednesday.

The Cougars' girls edged Palatine 28-29, while on the boys' side, the Pirates took 5 of the first 6 positions en route to an 18-39 win on the Deer Grove course in Palatine.

Junior Anna Todd led the Vernon Hills girls by finishing second overall in the time of 18:45.8.

"I felt really good coming in," said Todd, "and I used a lot of what I had in me. I think I might have been able to run even faster if there were more people running (as there are in invitationals)."

Palatine's Abigail Jordan, a freshman, took honors in the race, finishing first in the time of 18:34.9.

Jordan originally started out playing soccer, but switched over to cross country and track and has been running competitively since the fifth grade.

"My coach (Ruth Spethmann) told us all today that she wanted us to put in a really good effort, and just push each other out there," said Jordan. "Just run the best we could, go out there and see how we could compete against a really good team (Vernon Hills).

"We're just going out now and taking it meet by meet, competing for the team and seeing where it takes us."

For the winners, Vernon Hills, Rose Sheridan (19:37.5) finished third overall, Jadyn Parker (19:56.3) was fifth, and Clara Sheridan (20:04.4) took sixth.

The hard-luck Pirates got stellar performances from Katelyn Whitcomb (4th, 19:54.2), Ruth Hall (7th, 20:06.1), and Emma Zach (8th, 20:07.8).

After the race, Spethmann lauded the efforts of Jordan.

"Abigail put in a lot of work over the summer," said the coach, "and she's really looking strong."

Mukal Verma led the way for the Palatine boys, taking first place individually with a mark of 16:11.0.

Patrick McClanahan (18:30.4) finished second, while teammates Nate Vandergiessen (17:22.7), Angel Adaya (17:26.9) and Jacob Tallian (17:34.3) went 4-5-6 respectively.

"We had a game plan (today)," said Verma. "We came in with a rabbit - and I just took off at the mile mark. I had to really work for it."

Nathan Faitsch of Vernon Hills finished seventh at 17:35.9, while teammate Christian Gitzinger grabbed eighth place at 17:36.9.

Brady Clegg of the Cougars, meanwhile, prevented a Palatine sweep of the top 5 positions by posting a 16:42.1, good for third overall.

"I knew I had to get off to a good strong start," said Clegg, "because I knew I always slow down in the second mile. I had to focus on the next guy and try to get up with him."

When asked about his goals this year, Clegg added, "I'd like to break the sixteen-minute mark, but also I want to help our freshmen, make them realize that putting in the distance - running lots and lots of miles - is how you get faster."

Konrad Jakubowski of Palatine ran the course in 17:40.6, good for ninth place, and afterward Verma said that his team's objective for the season is very clear.

"Make it to state," said Verma. "That's the goal every year."

  Palatine's Mukal Verma Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  The start of the varsity girls cross country race between Palatine and Vernon Hills Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills' Anna Todd Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills' Rose Sheridan Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Palatine's Katelyn Whitcomb Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  The start of the boys varsity race between Palatine and Vernon Hills Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Palatine's Mukal Verma Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills' Brady Clegg Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Palatine's Nate Vandergiessen Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Palatine's Patrick McClanahan Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Palatine at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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