Kuksa, Palatine show they're ready for outdoors

Jocelyn Kuksa and Palatine's girls track team jumped out to a smooth start in Tuesday opening triangular.

Host Palatine won 10 events, including a sweep in the four relays, on a chilly afternoon to take first with 92 points, followed by Hoffman Estates (54 points) and Schaumburg (41 points).

Kuksa took fourth in the pole vault at the state meet last season and was a member of the 1,600 relay team that won an eighth-place medal.

But the senior star, who is also the Pirates' top hurdler, missed almost the entire indoor track season after injuring her left quad muscle on Feb. 23 at Bolingbrook.

But Kuksa made a triumphant return on Tuesday by winning pole vault (9 feet), the 400 (1:01.9) and a share of the 1,600 relay (4:16.7).

"It felt good," said Kuksa who took a cautious approach by taking only one attempt at the pole vault. "But you have to be patient and know what your limit is. We have a long season to go."

Palatine coach Steve Currins was glad to see his senior leader back, even in a limited role.

"That's a pretty good start," said Currins of Kuksa's first action since February. "But I'm very pleased with how all the kids competed … they did a good job."

It was also a good start for the rest of the Pirates as freshman Becca Sund, sophomore Ruth Allen, sophomore Johanna DiBuz, and senior Colleen Standridge opened the meet by taking first in the 3,200 relay (10:02.8).

Freshman Meghan Flanagan, sophomore Angie Gonzalez, junior Valerie Bach, and senior Tally Millin kept the momentum going by adding first in the 400 relay (52.7)

Courtney Brown (3,200), Tory Wright (800), Maria Koczur (long jump), and Lauren Orris (discus) added individual victories, with the Pirates also taking first in the 800 relay (1:52.8).

The discus proved to be one of the top events as Orris (123-9) reeled in first followed by Palatine's Katie MacFabe (122), and Hoffman's Ashley Chervinko (118).

"I just want to keep improving," said Orris who won a fourth-place medal at state last year in the discus. "I was hoping to get a little bit better, but I'm still not in the rhythm yet."

Chervinko added a first place in the shot put (39-3) to lead Hoffman's attack.

"It would have been cool to throw 40-foot, but I'm happy with my throw," said Chervinko, who qualified for state in both the discus and shot put last season.

Victoria Mikszta, a two-time state qualifier, added a victory in the high jump (5-1), and freshman Jada Stotts took first in the 200 (28.1) for the Hawks.

Senior Veronica Painter gave Schaumburg a pair of victories in the 100 low hurdles (16.3) and 300 high hurdles (50.4).

Senior Kelsey Druckman added a victory in the triple jump (32-4), freshman Jordan Wagner took first in the 100 (13.23), and freshman Britten Petrey secured first in the 1,600 (5:29.3) for the Saxons.

"We have more depth than last year for sure," said Painter of the Saxons' attack. "With more people we're able to spread out our attack a bit more."