Hoffman tips Palatine in West; Prospect wins East

The clock is quickly ticking down toward the postseason in girls track and Hoffman Estates has arrived.

Hoffman made a big statement on Monday by edging Palatine 130-129 in claiming the Mid-Suburban West title at Barrington.

Conant took third with 95 points ahead of Barrington (92).

The Hawks showed plenty of balance in winning four events and taking six seconds.

"It's a big deal for the kids," said Hoffman coach Dan Anderson. "They ran well but we still can improve. From here on out it only gets harder."

Precious Ogunleye set the table by taking first in the shot put (45-4) and discus (122-9).

"Today I just felt comfortable," said Ogunleye in setting a shot put school record. "I hit a 43 on my first throw and it just kept getting better."

And the Hawks kept getting better as the meet progressed.

Junior Kristie Hisey took first in the high jump (5-3). Sophomore Emily D'Amico added a first in the 100 (12.4) and second in the 200 (25.65).

Sharron Jones added a pair of second in the 100 (12.5) and 400 (60.5).

Senior Melissa Schmidt and sophomore Haley Goers paced the distance crew Schmidt took second in the 3,200 (10:55.6) and third in the 1,600 (5:04.5). Goers added a third in the 3,200 (10:55.8) and a fifth in the 1,600 (5:15.12).

"We knew we had a chance to win it," said Schmidt. "But we knew we all had to come together. It the first time we all came together and it paid off."

Palatine offered a stiff challenge by taking first in the 3,200 relay (9:23.8). Junior Valerie Guertin added first in the long jump (16-11.5) and junior Morgan Quinnett took first in the 300 low hurdles (48.0)

"A lot of times we go into meets expecting that we're going to do really well," added Guertin, who helped spur the Pirates 1,600 relay (4:05.2) to second. "So when we come up a bit short it's very eye opening. We know we can do better."

Schaumburg junior Karen Lesiewicz broke a 25-year-old school record in taking first in the 1,600 (4:57.3), followed by teammate Britten Petrey (5:03.3) in second.

"If you're going to go get it, you have to get it done," said Lesiewicz of her record-breaking performance.

Junior Colette Falsey (2:17) and senior Nora Ferguson (2:20.3) added to the Saxons assault by going 1-2 in the 800.

Conant showed potential by sweeping the 400 (49.4) and 800 relays (1:46.9). Both were anchored by sophomore Angela Herrmann.

"It's really exciting," said Herrmann. "My teammates gave me a good lead and the handoffs were smooth, our confidence has really gone up."

Junior Tina Tortorici who was a member of both relays and took first in the triple jump (34-3.75). Sarah Gorden took first in the 100 high hurdles (15.0).

Barrington got wins from seniors Anna Etherington in the pole vault (11-0), Jorie Frey in the 200 (25.6), Sarah Bach in the 400 (59.9) and freshman Rebecca Batliner in the 3,200 (10:53.2). Bach helped lead the first-place 1,600 relay (4:04.8).

"We just came into this meet really wanting to compete," said Bach, who also placed third in the long jump at 16-31/2. "I thought we focused on that today and pulled off some really good performances."

Ashley Fullerton took second in the high jump (5-1) for Fremd.

Prospect wins East: Host Prospect showed plenty of balance in taking the MSL East title.

The Knights won 10 events to win with 190 points, followed by Hersey with 184 points.

Samantha Sturm took first in the shot put (37-9) and discus (119-4) to lead the Knights.

Jeannette Wochinski (5:13) and Brooke Wolfe (5:16.4) went 1-2 in the 1,600, with Annette White (11:21.2) taking first in the 3,200.

Emily Salzman took first in the 800 (2:22.4)

Grace Gruendel added a first in the pole vault (11-1) and Beata Fiszer took first in the triple jump (34-0)

Prospect also got relay wins in the 800 (1:47.8), 1,600 (4:12) and 3,200 (9:53.3).

Dana Markech swept both 100 high hurdles (15.9) and 300 low hurdles (48.4) to lead Hersey. Riley Wade added a first in the 400 (60.7) with Haley Scott taking first in the high jump (4-10).

Hersey also took first in the 400 relay (50.1).

Sydney Keith swept both the 100 (12.4) and 200 (26.8) to propel Wheeling, with Amber Hackney adding a first in the long jump (17-0.5) for the Wildcats.