Schaumburg poised for special run
Schaumburg and coach Jon Macnider are looking to complete a special run on Saturday at the Class 3A girls cross country state meet in Peoria.
Macnider will be retiring after 31 years of coaching the Schaumburg team, while the Saxons are hoping to put an exclamation point on their season.
Macnider has had quite a career, leading Schaumburg to four state trophies and state titles in 1982 and 1999. This year marks the 21st time the Saxons have qualified for the state meet, with 14 top-10 finishes.
And this year's squad may be Macnider's best.
“Very few people go through their whole career and end up with one of the best teams they ever had at the end,” said Macnider of this year's team that was top-ranked in 3A for much of the season. “Not only are they talented athletes, but they're great kids. This is why I got into all this, it's very special.”
Seniors Karen Lesiewicz, Britten Petrey and Colette Falsey lead the Saxons' attack. All three of them are used to success with nine state medals in cross country and track.
The three combined with Nora Ferguson last track season to lead the Saxons to the 3A state title in the 3,200 relay.
Lesiewicz also took second in 3A in the 800 in 2009 and added a state title in the 1,600 last season.
Petrey secured a sixth-place medal in the 1,600 her sophomore year and came back to finish 20th in 3A for cross country last season.
Falsey finished ninth in 3A for cross country her sophomore year and secured an eighth-place medal in the 800 last track season.
“These girls have earned their success,” said Macnider of his three stars. “They're very dedicated kids and they're dedicated to each other, that's the important thing.”
The three seniors have combined with senior Jordan Wagner, junior Kelsey Steenstrup and sophomores Hannah Coombs and Samantha Nordli to give the Saxons a very potent attack.
“We're all really comfortable with each other, so we don't get nervous about letting each other down,” said Falsey of the Saxons' close bond. “We work everyday for each other and not ourselves.”
“We developed as a team and we work very hard,” added Petrey. “We have no drama, if someone is down we make sure to bring them back up before the end of practice.”
Schaumburg has put it all together this season, winning the Lake Park, Peoria Notre Dame, Bartlett and Sterling Invites. The Saxons won their first Mid-Suburban League title since 2002 and followed it up with a regional title.
Schaumburg finished second at the sectional to defending state champion Palatine, and now is focused on a big finish at the state meet.
“We've all grown as people and we've all gotten close,” said Lesiewicz of the Saxons' journey. “It is fun to see where we were and where we are now.”
Macnider is also ready to finish his journey and has no regrets.
“Life is full of transitions, and I'm going to miss it a lot,” said Macnider, “but it is time to pass it on. I gave it my heart and soul, however it ends, it's been awesome.”