Big finish ahead for Schaumburg?

Schaumburg is not about to close the book on its historic run.

Last year, Schaumburg’s 3,200-meter relay team rolled to a state title in Class 3A, and Karen Lesiewicz added a state title in the 1,600.

The Saxons had no letdown in the fall while securing the Class 3A title in cross country.

But Schaumburg is far from done, and the Saxons seem to have plenty of ink left to pen one more thrilling chapter.

The Saxons offered a glimpse of their potential on a raw and wet Saturday by taking first at the second annual Mike Rebeck Invitational, edging Whitney Young 119-116.3 in Schaumburg.

Glenbard North (94.3) took third, with Hononegah (66 points) and St. Ignatius (61 points) rounding out the top five.

“We came home hard,” said Schaumburg coach Jon Macnider, whose team won three of the final five events to cement the victory. “It was a lot of fun and everyone contributed. We have a lot of options and there are a lot bigger things to come.”

Sophomore Maika Kumamoto started the Saxons’ final charge by taking first in the 400 (1:03.17), and senior Britten Petrey added a first-place finish in the 300 low hurdles (47.55).

“We have a lot more depth this year and we’re working together as a team,” said Petrey, who has been a key contributor to the Saxons’ distance crew but has added the low hurdles to her repertoire this year.

“Each day I’m learning something new about the hurdles and I’m adding new things each race. Hopefully it will all come together.”

Lesiewicz (5:18.32) and senior Colette Falsey (5:20.29) then went 1-2 in the 1,600.

“We had to adjust today to the weather,” said Falsey of the dismal conditions that wiped out any hope of quality times. “But we did what we had to do.”

Petrey and Kumamoto combined with senior Emily Langlotz and sophomore Hannah Coombs in helping the Saxons place second in the 1,600 relay (4:12.99).

Schaumburg got second-place finishes in the 3,200 relay (9:59.19) and 800 relay (1:49.04), with junior Grace Haerr taking second in the 3,200 (12:20.78), Lesiewicz adding a second in the 800 (2:20.34), and junior Whitney Grossman securing second in the high jump (5-0).

So, what kind of surprise ending do the Saxons have in store for their final chapter?

“We’ve put our heart and soul into this program and we’re not going to leave it empty-handed,” said Lesiewicz. “We’re working on the little things and we have a lot of things we’re looking forward too.”

Raena Rhone is also looking to close with a bang for Whitney Young. The Baylor-bound senior won the Class 3A state title in the 400 last season and holds the top outdoor time (55.7) in Illinois this spring.

Rhone did not run the 400 on Saturday, but the senior easily won the 100 (12.7) and 200 (26.11), pacing Whitney Young to second place.

“I’m still striving for that perfect race,” said Rhone. “I’ve had a lot of great races but I’m still looking for that special one.”

Whitney Young’s Maisie Vachuska passed Lesiewicz with just under 200 meters remaining to take first in the 800 (2:18.87). The senior then came from behind on the final leg to help the Dolphins nip Schaumburg in the 1,600 relay (4:12.80).

“I just went out and did what I had to do,” said Vachuska of her come-from-behind victories. “I wanted to sit in the top group and then kick.”

Senior Elisabeth Forte added a first-place finish for the Dolphins in the long jump (17-10.5).

Senior Christina Rini easily took first in the 100 high hurdles (16.06) and added a first-place finish in triple jump (35-07.5) to push Glenbard North.

Rini is a two-time state qualifier in the 100 high hurdles and is gearing up for a big finish this season.

“This year I’m definitely working more on my form and getting out of the blocks faster,” said Rini, who is also eying a berth at state in the triple jump.

Glenbard North senior Amanda Hillard earned first-place finishes in the shot put (36-07) and discus (108-03).

Freshman Kendal Cast took control early in winning the 3,200 (12:06.63) and sophomore Elizabeth Brandonburg took first in the pole vault (9-0) to aid Metea Valley.

Hononegah swept the 400 relay (51.84) and 800 relay (1:48.92), and St. Ignatius took first in the 3,200 relay (9:44.3).