Libertyville runs to Wheeling title
The Libertyville girls cross country team made quite an impression at the Wheeling Invitational at Heritage Park on Saturday.
The Wildcats placed five runners in the top 29 on a hot and sticky morning to win the title with 73 points.
Lake Park (89 points) took second, followed by Barrington (96 points), Lincoln Way Central (168 points), and Buffalo Grove (182 points).
Lake Park's junior Lindsay Flannagan took the lead she would never relinquish in the second mile taking the individual title in 18:28.
Lincoln Way Central's freshman Monica Hahn (18:33) took second, followed by Libertyville's junior Hannah Reilly (18:42), Wheeling's senior Amber Stack (18:48), and Libertyville's freshman Erin Jaffke (18:51).
Reilly and Jaffke set the pace for Libertyville, followed by junior Anne Strychalski (19:35) and junior Alyssa Corrigan (19:37) who finished 20th and 22nd.
Sophomore Megan Janezic (19:53) completed the Wildcat's scoring by taking 29.
"It's good for our confidence," Reilly said. "We wanted to do better than last year and I guess we did."
Libertyville attacked the field early having five runners in the top 22 at the 2-mile mark.
"We knew we had a shot coming in," said Strychalski of the fast improving Wildcats attack. "Our coach kept challenging us throughout the race and we finished strong."
Jaffke has been a welcome addition to Libertyville's charge, and the freshman didn't disappoint on Saturday.
"I never expected this as a freshman," said Jaffke of her performance. "But as a team we're getting healthy and we're pulling together."
Now the Wildcats hope to keep the momentum going as the postseason approaches.
"I think we're starting to realize our abilities," Reilly said. "We're all growing and now we just have to stay mentally tough."
Flannagan paced Lake Park attack as the junior battled the heat before taking control of the race continuing.
"It was really hot but we worked through it," said Flannagan who continued her standout season. "I didn't think I'd do this well, but it's all about the team, they have my back."
Sophomore Ashley Prochazka (19:19) finished 13th and junior Juliet Vogel (19:28) took 18th to aid the Lancers.
Despite finishing second no alarms are going off for the talented Lancers.
"We didn't win, but its OK," Flannagan said. "We just have to step it up next week and stay focused."
Senior Samantha Learch (19:06) and junior Rebecca Tracy (19:14) finished 11th and 12th, leading Barrington to third place.
Barrington won the invitational last year, but the Fillies are still searching a bit for their identity this year.
"We're still trying to jell," said Tracy of the Fillies, who also received a strong run by freshman Colleen Shandley (19:38) who finished 22nd. "We can't put our finger on it but we seem to be missing on little piece. The good thing is everyone is excited to run."
Sophomore Cari Geyer (19:01) led Buffalo Grove to fifth with a seventh-place finish, and Erin Cleary (19:47) added a 26th.
"I'm still really nervous," said Geyer who has been leading the Bison charge this season. " I went into the race with no expectations and I just want to keep improving."
Amber Stack led host Wheeling (208 points) to sixth place, as the senior ran her final race on her home course. Senior Jenny Giron (19:25) and junior Rachel Stinebring (19:45) aided the Wildcats by finishing 17th and 25th.
"I ran a good first and second mile," Stack said. "Now I'm looking to maintain that pace and become more consistent for the final mile."
Freshman Audrey Smith (19:50) finished 27th, leading Lake Zurich (261 points) to eighth place.
Senior Josifi Erlena (19:21) took 15th, followed by freshman Christina Gastfield (19:33) in 19th as Rolling Meadows finished ninth.
Stevenson's Kim Tarnoff (19:04) edged Lakes senior Rachel Dean (19:05) and Huntley freshman Haley Loprieno (19:06) for eighth place.
"I tried to stay with the front of the pack," said Tarnoff a state qualifier last season. "I knew if I fell behind I might not catch them, and I wanted to position myself, then surge at different times."
Maine West's Lizzy Meier (19:20) battled back after falling behind early to finish 14th.
"I definitely improve my confidence which help me stay focus for the entire race," Meier said.
St. Viator's Amanda Kompanowski (19:39) finished 24th.
Metamora invitational
Palatine had 5 runners finish in the top 16, leading the Pirates to the title at Metamora with 50 points.
East Peoria (61 points) took second, followed by Sacred Heart Griffin (74 points).
Ruth Allen (18:38) paced the Pirates by taking seventh place, followed by Tory Wright (18:49) and Colleen Standridge (18:50) in 10th and 12th. Emma Maslanka (18:54) and Anusha Narayanan (19:08) completed Palatine's scoring in 14th and 16th.
"We looked good," said Palatine coach Steve Currins. "We've had four different No. 1 runners in the last five races."