Palatine, Hersey take division titles

The Palatine girls cross country team looks to be right on schedule.

The Pirates took second at their own invitational Saturday and followed it up by securing the Mid-Suburban League West title on Thursday.

Palatine's pack jumped out to an early lead and ground out the final two miles to beat host Hoffman Estates 22-33 and top Fremd 15-48 at Barrington Pond Forest Preserve.

"I think it's a good example of the power of the Palatine pack," said Pirates coach Steve Currins, whose team matched Wheeling for most division titles at 13. "It was one of the most difficult ones to win because we've had to run every meet hard."

The junior duo of Emma Maslanka (18:59) and Tory Wright (19:05) led the charge by finishing second and third.

"We're all really close, and the whole team has a big heart," said Maslanka of the Pirates, who set the early pace with five runners hitting the mile marker at 5:52. "We all watch out for each other and try to help each other."

The Pirates pack separated a bit over the final two miles, but sophomore Ruth Allen (19:10) picked up fourth place, followed by senior Colleen Standridge (19:20) and freshman Becca Sund (19:25) -- who took sixth and seventh.

"It's really encouraging to have that many people in the front," said Wright of the Pirates pack. "It shows anyone of us can be in the front and the rest will follow."

Freshman Sara McIntosh (19:36) demonstrated Palatine's depth by finishing in 13th place.

The Pirates seem primed for a big finish.

"After this past weekend, we gained a lot of confidence," said Wright, "If we can keep carrying the momentum forward we'll be fine."

Sophomore Hannah Worman finished first to lead Hoffman Estates (4-2) to a 16-42 victory over Fremd.

Worman took the lead with 800 meters remaining and crossed the finish line with a winning time of 18:52.

"I'm pretty pleased," Worman said. "And when my teammates run with me it's even better. The key to our success is packing it up."

Hawks senior Sonja Khan (19:14) aided Worman by finishing fifth, while seniors Andrea Contreras (19:26) and Sarah Ahn (19:34) took eighth and ninth.

"We ran our race plan," said Hawks coach Kirk Macnider. "Three more minutes of focus and the race is different the last 800 meters. They know what we're capable of doing."

Junior Alexis McAdams paced Fremd by taking 10th place.

"We're still pretty young," said Fremd coach Mark Anderson whose team was missing three of its top seven runners. "We still have time, and that is what we're looking for."

Hersey takes East title: Hersey placed four runners in the top 10 to win its second consecutive MSL East Division title on Wednesday at Prospect.

The Huskies, who finished 16th at the Palatine Invitational on Saturday, edged Prospect 27-28, and defeated Rolling Meadows 17-46.

Juniors Georgia Wiard (18:42) and Megan Gojney (18:56) paced the Huskies by taking second and fourth.

Sophomores Sarah Reynolds (19:05) and Audrina Smelser (19:16) were fifth and seventh.

"You find out who you are early in the season," said Hersey coach Jim Miks. "You keep moving forward and building momentum for a great finish, The kids ran with a lot of energy on Wednesday."

Annette White paced Prospect by taking first with a time of 18:31, as the Knights beat Rolling Meadows 18-45.