Plans work well for White, Hoffman

Prospect's Annette White and the Hoffman Estates girls cross country team came into Saturdays Libertyville Invitational with a clear plan of action.

Both White and the Hawks executed that plan to perfection.

White was being shadowed by Vernon Hills' Danielle Dickman and Rolling Meadow's Amanda Whowell for the first 2 miles, but the Prospect junior made her winning move with over a half-mile remaining on the wooded course at Adler Park in picking up her second consecutive title on a crisp Saturday morning at Libertyville with a time of 18:25.

"That's kind of the plan we work on a lot," said Prospect coach Dave Wurster of White's finishing surge. "A lot of kids can run tough the first couple miles, but it's who can run tough the third mile."

While White was getting separation, Hoffman Estates was sticking together, as the Hawks placed five runners in the top 13 to win its first Libertyville title with 44 points.

"We're on our way," said Hoffman Estates coach Kirk Macnider of his team's performance. "We just wanted to pack it up today … we had a specific race plan."

Prospect (67 points) took second followed by host Libertyville (86 points), Buffalo Grove (130 points), and Fremd (148 points).

For the third consecutive week White used an explosive finish and this time the sophomore came out on top.

"I definitely made my move in the last mile," said White who emerged from the woods into the chute six seconds ahead of Dickman (18:31). "At first I was doubtful if I could keep the lead, but I felt pretty good and was able push in the last stretch."

Dickman continued her strong start to the season staying step-for-step with White the first 2 miles, but the junior couldn't match the final surge.

Whowell, who was hampered by injuries her first two seasons, took third in 18:39. The Rolling Meadows junior has used a limited race schedule this season in order to finish the season strong. This was only the second race of the season for Whowell, but she seemed to be in top form.

"My first race I wasn't ready to run 3 miles," said Whowell, who stayed with the lead pack for 2 miles. "So today I wasn't really sure what I could do, and I wanted to stay with lead pack for as long as I could. Sure, there is room for improvement but it makes me feel more confident."

Hoffman Estates has shown strength in numbers and it was no different for the Hawks on Saturday.

Hoffman had five runners in the top 15 at the 2-mile mark, and the Hawks improved on their position for the final mile.

Sophomore Hannah Worman (18:42), junior Gaby Duenas (18:48), and senior Amy Schwent (19:01) powered the Hawks by finishing in fourth, sixth, and 10th place.

"The whole team worked together," said Worman of the Hawks' attack. "It's so important for us. When you're with your teammates we encourage each other."

Junior Kathy Kenley (19:01) and senior Sonja Khan (19:05) finished off the Hawks' victory by securing the 11th and 13th positions.

"We run strong together," added Duenes, "and the last mile we just go for it."

Sophomore's Kasey Krum (19:06) and Emily Salzman (19:09) combined with senior Claire Hollis (19:19) in taking 14th, 15th, and 16th place, joining White to lead Prospect to second place.

Sophomore Jeanette Wochinski (19:31) finished the Knights scoring by taking 21st place.

"Toward the beginning of the season we knew we were better, but now we know we're a lot better," said Krum of the Knights' progress. "Now we're excited for the rest of the season, we just want to keep moving up."

Junior Hannah Reilly (18:51) combined with freshman Erin Jaffke (19:00) in taking seventh and eighth place, leading Libertyville to a third-place finish.

Buffalo Grove's Cari Geyer missed last season due to shin splints, but the sophomore has come out blazing this season.

Last week Geyer took ninth at the Lake Park Invitational, and this week the sophomore moved up a few notches by taking fifth place with a time of 18:47 leading the Bison to fourth place.

"I've surprised myself a bit," said Geyer who despite getting caught in traffic early finished strong. "I got off to a bad start so I had to pass a lot of people."

Sophomore Erin Cleary (19:20) took 17th place for the Bison.

Junior Alexis McAdams (19:03) took 12th place in leading Fremd to fifth place. Last week McAdams finished 72nd at the Peoria Woodruff Invitational, but she rebounded quite well on Saturday.

"It was real important for my self-esteem to know that I could do it," said McAdams of her performance on Saturday. "I just knew I had to do it for my team."

Peoria ND Invite: Defending state champion Hinsdale Central is showing no signs of slowing down.

The Red Devils won their second consecutive Notre Dame Invitational title at Detweiller Park in Peoria by placing five runners in the top 44 to secure the victory in a loaded field with 126 points.

Stagg (137 points) had 3 runners in the top 17 in taking second place followed by Wheaton South (187 points), York (204 points) and Neuqua Valley (216 points).

Defending Class AA champion Caitlin Comfort took the individual title in a fast field with a head turning time of 16:42. Last year Comfort won the state meet with a time of 16:47.

Sandburg's Kristin Sutherland, last year's Class AA runner-up, took second in an impressive 16:46, followed by Nicole Benson (16:56) of Limestone.

Stagg's Annette Glaz (17:03) and St. Charles East's Lizzy Hynes (17:25) rounded out the top five.

Senior Colleen Standridge (18:04) finished in 18th place leading Palatine (281 points) to a 10th place finish.

The Pirates pack got off to a quick start in the first mile, before falling behind.

"It was a loaded field," said Palatine coach Steve Currins. "No excuses we just didn't compete."

Georgia Wiard (18:05) took 19th place to lead Hersey (320 points) to an 11th-place finish.

Emily Gallup (18:15) secured 28th place, leading Schaumburg (410 points) to 14th place.

St. Viator's Amanda Kompanowski (18:18) finished in 32nd place, and Maine West's Lizzy Meier (18:51) took 67th place.