Palatine completes successful tuneup

Palatine was on the sidelines for the opening weekend of girl outdoor track invite season, but the Pirates will busy this weekend with back-to-back meets at Downers Grove North (Friday) and Wheaton North (Saturday).

The Pirates had one final tuneup on Tuesday at Rolling Meadows before kicking it into high gear this weekend.

Palatine showed it is ready on cool but pleasant day by taking first with 83 points at the Mid-Suburban League crossover triangular followed by Hersey (70 points) and host Rolling Meadows (32 points).

“It’s going to be a real good test to get a look at everybody,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks of the Pirates’ looming challenge. “I think you’re going to see a lot of energy this weekend and the expectations will rise.”

And the Pirates can count on a talented core of seniors who have won back-to-back MSL titles to lead the charge.

Senior Meghan Flanagan continued to look sharp taking first in the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) and senior Morgan Quinnett added a first in the 300 low hurdles (48.4) and combined with senior Val Guertin, junior Laura Schweikert, and sophomore Meg Jump to add a first in the 400 relay (50.8).

“We have a really good balance and have a lot of fun working together,” said Flanagan of the Pirates’ seniors. “We know it’s our last year together, but we’re just taking it one meet at a time.”

Senior Courtney Brown kept the Pirates rolling by taking first in the 1,600 (5:17.3), with sophomore Tess Wasowicz taking first in the 800 (2:21.2) and sophomore Meg Jump contributing with a first in the 400 (62.9).

“I think everything is coming together,” said Wasowicz, who helped the Pirates to first place in the 1,600 relay (4:22.9). “We have a lot of talented athletes and everyone is ready to step up.”

Palatine won the 3,200 relay in 10:20.7.

Hersey is looking sharp in the sprints, especially after the Huskies hit a 49.5 in the 400 relay at the Willowbrook Invite last Saturday.

Hersey was missing top senior sprinter Danielle Perkins, who hit a 12.2 in the 100 on Saturday, but the Huskies didn’t miss a beat as junior Katie Croak took first in the 100 (13.2) and senior Laura Kempf adding a first in the 200 (27.3).

Croak and Kempf combined with senior Haley Scott and Michaela Dwyer in leading the Huskies to first in the 800 relay (1:52.8).

Last year the Hersey hit a school record (49.2) in the 400 relay in the state prelims. This year the Huskies are looking to keep the pressure on.

“We’re looking to smash that school record,” said Dwyer, who also won the long jump (15-11.5). “The experience is really helping.”

“We’ve been to state three consecutive years,” said Kempf of the Huskies’ potent 400 relay. “So it does give us a lot of confidence.”

Scott added a pair of first-place finishes in the triple jump (33-4) and high jump (4-10), with senior Dana Markeck taking first in the 100 high hurdles (15.9) and second in the 300 low hurdles (48.4).

Rolling Meadows’ Morgan Keller is rising quickly in the throws. The Mustangs sophomore hit a school record in taking first in the shot put (43-11) and followed it up by taking first in the discus (122-10).

“Once I felt it launch I knew it was going to be a good one,” said Keller, who has put her name up with the elite throwers in state. “To be throwing this well so early … I feel like now I’m in the race.”

Mustangs senior Christina Gastfield also showed she is looking to do some damage this spring,. She won the 3,200 (11:11.7) and placed second in the 1,600 (5:24.9).

“It’s coming really close to the end and I know what I have to get done,” said Gastfield a three-time top 10 finisher in Class 3A cross country.