Waubonsie Valley storms off with championship

Poor weather had a number of track coaches huddled in the press box on Saturday afternoon as the 28th annual Glenbard East Invitational was being called just prior to the varsity 1,600-meter relay races.

But the coaches already knew the outcome of the meet and tried to convince Waubonsie Valley coach Jim Braun to claim his team's championship trophy even before the final numbers had been tabulated. The opposing coaches, who had watched as the Warriors dominated the sprints and sprint relays, were right on.

Even without the opportunity to add some points in a highly anticipated 1,600 relay that was to feature star Shakeia Pinnick, the Warriors piled up 124 points to easily hold off runner-up Benet Academy (80) and third-place Naperville Central (54).

"We're real deep at the sprint position," said Braun, whose squad won the 100 and 200 races as well as the 400 and 800 relays. "When you've got sprinters you've got jumpers and hurdlers and that helps."

It helps that Pinnick made her return to the squad after a brief departure and held off Benet's McKinzie Schulz to win the open 400. It also helps to have a freshman like Morlake Akinosun, who on Saturday won the 100 and 200 and also picked up wins as a member of the two sprint relays.

"My favorite (individual) would have to be the 100, but my favorite relay is the 4x200," said Akinosun, who ran with her sister Morikaye Akinosun on the two relay winners. "The weather made us a little slower today, but it's affecting everyone, not just us."

The Waubonsie newcomer already sees some special things in her team and because of this she's setting the bar awfully high. "We're hoping to place at state in the 4x100 and the 4x200. Then with Michelle (Higgins) jumping and with Shakeia we're hoping for maybe third at state," she said of the team's goals of bringing home a first-ever girls track team trophy.

Warriors thrower Brittany Johnson took first in the shot and third in the discus competition, which was won by Neuqua Valley's Mia Ervin. Michelle Higgins won the long jump and also scored in the hurdles for the champs. Dasha Patton also raced on the two sprint titlists for Waubonsie.

For Benet Academy, coach Scott Brooks put together a top-notch 3,200 relay quartet and Katie Porada, Gina Brown, Molly Allen and Schulz went out and won with a time of 9:46.68 that easily beat runner-up Schaumburg. Porada added a second in the open 800 for the Redwings.

Naperville Central freshman Amanda Fox took the 3,200 crown Saturday with an 11:25.05, while teammate Jocelyn Troester added a second in the 300 hurdles for the Redhawks.

"There was a little wind, but thank gosh it wasn't raining," said Fox of her 2-mile race, which started a little late after a lightning delay in the morning. "I just tried to keep pushing out there. It's not my best time but it's a win and the wind was a factor."

Schaumburg's Britten Petrey ran a solid 1,600 about two seconds faster than her seed time and the 5:12 effort gave her a win.

"That's my personal best, so yeah I'm happy," the returning state qualifier said. "I wanted to set a personal best, which was 5:14, and this will give me a little boost in confidence."