Geneva running into elite status

Erica Miller only finished what Taylor Wickware began.

Less than a year removed from missing out on the state finals in the 1,600-meter relay by one-hundredth of a second, the Geneva bookends closed out the latest conquest in grand style.

The Vikings' mile relay quartet, which also featured Alissa Dappas and Sammi Hill, was in a different league in the closing event of the Geneva Track and Field Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Runner-up Niles North was 17 seconds off the blistering pace of the Vikings' crew that not only obliterated the meet record but also set a new school mark with its scintillating three-minute, 56.13-second posting.

The dominating performance sealed the Vikings' second consecutive victory - the meet was canceled last year due to inclement weather - over a three-year period with 154 points. St. Charles North was a distant second with 89 points, followed by Niles North (81), Dundee-Crown (75), McHenry (63), Burlington Central (59) and Bishop McNamara (37).

"It was our first time running this season (as a unit)," said Miller, the Vikings' star junior who also anchored the 800-meter relay to victory while adding an individual crown in the 100-meter dash.

"That's what all of us were working was bringing down our (200-meter) splits," Wickware said.

With its indoor Western Sun Conference championship and two invitational titles under its collective belts, Geneva is searching for elite status on a state level. Showcasing an enviable ensemble of depth, balance and interchangeability, the Vikings rolled in the format that allows three competitors instead of the customary two per event.

Experimenting with lineup changes and resting key personnel, there was still no stopping the Vikings.

"I don't like the kids to run the same events week after week," Geneva coach Peter Raak said.

One week after winning the mile at Kaneland, junior Meghan Heuer dropped down to the 800 meters and held off a determined effort by St. Charles North freshman Jessica Scheets to win in 2:24.58.

Allie Pace was on the brink of elimination in the pole vault after entering the competition at 10 feet. The junior missed her first two attempts at the height, and the specter of a no-height competition loomed.

But the returning state qualifier rebounded to clear the bar three times between 10 and 11 feet to win easily. Pace even took time off to place second in the 100 to Miller.

"By the time of your third attempt, you have to forget about everything and live in the moment," said Pace. "I'm really looking forward to things starting to click this season."

Sarah Cable returned to the Vikings' squad this year, and the senior was the class of the field at 3,200 meters.

"It's my favorite event," Cable said of the longest race. "This was my first time doing it outdoors this year. I think I can drop that time (11:41.43 for the state series). I still have five weeks."

Dappas was second in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdle races for Geneva. Rachel Hammond negated a 10-meter deficit on the anchor leg to propel the 3,200-relay for the Vikings' first of three group titles.

St. Charles North senior Jenna Loynachan, the North Stars' lone returning state qualifier, was second in her specialty event - the 400 meters - and anchored the 400-meter relay to victory.

"We just finally got our handoffs down," Loynachan said of the sprint relay that also features Patrice Groomes, Coral Cass and Vanessa Grano.

"(We had) perfect conditions - I couldn't ask for anything more."

Grano was second at 200 meters for St. Charles North, and junior Makenna Moscinski placed in the two throwing events for the North Stars.

"We scored in everything except the two hurdle events," St. Charles North coach Sarah Manwaring said. "It looks like we'll have a bright couple of meets coming up."

Burlington Central miler Maggie Gannon did not allow Geneva to steal all of the thunder. Pitted against three members of the Vikings' two-time-defending cross-country juggernaut, Gannon separated herself from a pack of seven runners at 800 meters to win in a personal-best of 5:18.19 at 1,600 meters.

Gannon had a marginal lead at the gun lap and held of the Geneva trio, with Dundee-Crown senior Kelsey Seilor making a late run, for the coveted title.

"My plan for the race was to stay back of the Geneva girls (Sarah Heuer, Kelly Whitley and Kelly Shogren)," Gannon said. "I knew they were going to lead me to a good time. It was a good strategy race for me. Normally I'm an open 800 runner, so this is a little long for me."

"(Gannon) opened quite a few eyes with that performance," Central coach Aaron Wichman said. "I think she made up her mind with one lap to go that it was her race, and somebody would have to beat her."

The Rockets also benefited from the continued progression of freshman quarter-miler Alexa Tovsen, who passed St. Charles North senior Jenna Loynachan in the final 100 meters to snare a second individual crown for the squad.

"I was trying to stay with her," said Tovsen, who also anchored the Rockets' mile relay to third place. "I just tried to push past her."

Markelle Turk continues to lower the school record in the 3,200 run for the Rockets. The sophomore was second in the event in a shade over 11:51.

Vanessa Perez was in prime position for a top finish in the 100 hurdles, only to trip over the final barrier in the event. The Rockets' returning state qualifier in the 300 hurdles had to settle for third in her specialized event.

"I was hoping to run state-qualifying time today but didn't," Perez said.

Dundee-Crown senior Christina Holec has not only anchored the Chargers' sprint relays but also served as a mentor to several of her younger teammates this season. But Holec earned the limelight by winning the 200 meters in the penultimate event. It was the first individual invitational title during her varsity career.

"When I came to the halfway point, I could tell (I was in the lead)," Holec said. "This is my senior year, and I was really hoping I could get some points for the team."

Katie Cutinello is arguably the Chargers most versatile athlete, competing in potentially all three jumping events as well as both hurdle races. One week after placing in four events at Kaneland, the junior highlighted her day with a second-place result in the triple jump.

"Instead of (worrying about) placing, I'm trying to get better times and distances in my events," Cutinello said. "I think I have the best chance of qualifying (for state in the 300 hurdles)."

Cutinello was fourth in the high jump and fifth in both hurdles races. Seiler and Lauren Mosher were third and fourth, respectively, in the 800; Claira Himmel was third in the 3,200.