Libertyville's pack, Olson lead the way at Adler

Girls cross country runners took their first strides toward the state meet with IHSA regional competition taking place across the area Saturday.

There were no major surprises at the eight-team Libertyville Class 3A regional as the host Wildcats dominated the team competition and Warren senior Heather Olson the individual race on the 3-mile Adler Park course.

After winning the North Suburban Conference meet in 17:59 last weekend on the same couse, Olson rolled to first place Saturday in a slightly more leisurely pace with a winning time of 18:11.52.

The Wildcats ran a great team race behind senior runner-up Hannah Reilly (18:58) in second, junior Megan Janezic in third, sophomore Erin Jaffke in fourth, and senior Anne Strychalski in fifth.

Libertyville advances to the Schaumburg Class 3A sectional next Saturday at Busse Woods along with runner-up Warren (57), third-place Grant (97), and fourth-place Zion-Benton (114).

The battle for the fifth and final team berth to Schaumburg was a close one to say the least, and Carmel nipped crosstown rival Mundelein 125-126 to reach the sectional meet.

"My plan was just to go out really strong and focused and just keep my pace up for each mile," said Reilly, who has already run in two state meets. "We did a really good job of staying together and this was the last time for our four seniors running on this course so it was special."

After placing seventh in the state as a junior, Olson is still one of the premier runners in the state as she heads into the powerful sectional meet next week along with top teammates Gabby Nystrom (eighth), Annie Brandes (14th), Alexa Williams (15th), and Sarahbeth Jones (19th).

"We ran well given the slick conditions and there wasn't a lot of pressure because we figured we would be in the top five schools," said Warren coach Cheryl Anderson. "We knew people were not going to be able to stay with Heather and Alexa Williams had a really great race as our fourth runner."

Grant's push for third place was led by junior Alexis Capps in sixth, Kendra Kennedy in 11th, Alyssa Pasiewicz in 20th, and Audrey Carrothers in 21st.

"I don't think it was our best race today, but at this point we just wanted to advance to sectionals as a team," said Grant coach Jeff Durlak. "Alexis (Capps) was a little bit disappointed with her race, but hopefully she saves her best performance for next week."

Junior Hilary Halford was one of the big difference makers for Carmel Saturday as Halford's seventh-place finish helped the Corsairs edge Mundelein for fifth place.

Alexis Mientus (23rd), Alyssa Tworek (30th), and Abby Nazarian (31st) gave Carmel just enough depth to reach sectionals.

"Hilary ran great in less than ideal conditions, they just ran for their place, and we were lucky we edged Mundelein," said Carmel coach Jim Halford. "Pretty much all of them were within the range we gave them and I'm really proud of them."

Seniors Alyssa Corrigan (ninth) and Katherine Filippo (10th) closed out their Adler Park career in style with added depth from junior teammate Sarah Farish in 12th.

"Obviously we were the favorites today but we weren't going to take that too lightly and our objective was to get four girls medals and we did that," said Libertyville coach Harry Carlson, who is in his final season. "The times were pretty decent considering the course is still slow, and the important thing was that the team pulled each other along."

Mundelein did get three of the five at-large individuals into sectionals including Kelsey Moon (13th), Angela Norton (25th), and Katie Christiansen (26th).

"It's extremely devastating to lose by one point and Carmel just got us," said Mundelein coach John Osmanski. "But we have three girls advancing, and we're excited about getting three people experience at sectionals."

Freshman Jesssie Buhmann had a solid 22nd-place run for the Blue Devils while Round Lake junior Danya Aceves (24th) earned her second straight trip to sectionals.

"She (Aceves) had a good race and she was able to stay ahead of some key people," said Round Lake coach Kevin Brady. "Last year she had her best time at sectionals so I hope she can do the same."

- John Bumbales

At Hoffman Estates: Entering the season Lake Park's Lindsay Flanagan, St. Charles East's Lizzy Hynes, Warren's Heather Olson and Geneva's Kelly Whitley had a firm grip on the leaderboard of the state's top runners.

They better make room for one more.

Sara McIntosh continued her steady climb up the leaderboard Saturday taking, first in the Hoffman Estates regional in leading Palatine to its 17th regional title at Busse Woods.

A week after winning the Mid Suburban League title, the sophomore had no letdown. She cruised the 3-mile course in 17:56, 12 seconds ahead of Hoffman Estates' Melissa Schmidt (second, 18:08).

"It's weird because I always think of them as being really good," said McIntosh of the states elite runners. "And I don't think I'm with them."

Palatine had 5 runners finish in the top 20 in securing its 6 consecutive regional title with 52 points. Hoffman Estates finished a close second with 56 points with 5 runners in the top 22, and Schaumburg (63 points) followed having 4 runners in the top 15.

Barrington (87 points) and Conant (109 points) secured the final two spots advancing to next Saturday's Schaumburg sectional.

Lake Zurich's Amy Polhemus (20:04) and Cassie Houghton (20:07) finished 27th and 30th, respectively, qualifying individually for the sectional.

- Michael Eaken