Palatine takes title

Can you dig it? Palatine certainly can.

There may have been few questions after Hoffman Estates narrowly defeated Palatine 130-129 on Monday at the Mid-Suburban League West Division championship.

But the defending MSL champion Pirates dug a bit deeper and responded in dominating fashion, cruising to the their second consecutive Palatine Relays title with 154 points Saturday.

Barrington placed second with 95.5 points, followed by Conant (73), Fremd (46) and Mahomet-Seymour (43) in the 16-team field.

"You have to dig down for every point," said Pirates coach Steve Currins. "Today they came in a little more prepared and little more focused. They responded quite well all the way through."

Bloomington Central Catholic senior Kelly Curran won both the 1,600 (5:03.8) and 3,200 (11:03.3) and captured the McElroy Award, given to the outstanding athlete of the meet.

Curran, the Class 1A cross country champion, cruised to victory in the 3,200 and came from behind with a scintillating final lap to take the 1,600.

"I stayed with my pace and was ready to go when I needed to go at the end," Curran said.

The Pirates were ready to go from the start, winning seven events and taking second in nine.

Ruth Allen set a school record in blistering to victory in the 800 (2:11.6). The senior led for most of the 1,600 (5:04) before being overtaken by Curran. Allen finished her day by helping the Pirates to second in the 1,600 relay (4:06.7).

"Today we came in with a whole different attitude," Allen said. "We realized we need to fight at every single meet and every single event."

The Pirates' Tess Wasowicz, Courtney Brown, Johanna Dibuz, and Becca Sund looked impressive in winning the 3,200 relay (9:32.3)

Meghan Flanagan, Laura Schweikert Valere Guertin, and Morgan Quinnett combined to lead the Pirates to first in the 800 relay (1:44) - nipping Conant (1:44.3).

"We just tried to focus on what we can do and that is what we did today," said Schweikert, who also led the Pirates to first in the frosh/soph 800 medley relay (1:51.9) and took second in the 400 (57.8).

Freshman Meg Jump helped the Pirates to victory in the frosh/soph 800 medley, the frosh/soph 1,600 medley (4:19.9), triple jump relay (98-5.75) and long jump relay (50-6).

"Knowing that it can come down to the smallest margin we all tried our best," Jump said. "Everybody pushed their hardest."

Jorie Frey helped pace Barrington by taking first in the 400 (57.1) and second in the 200 (25.7). The senior also combined with freshman Charlotte Graveson, senior Sarah Bach and sophomore Melissa Madden to win the 1,600 (4:06.5).

Frey was in complete control of the 400, using a finishing kick to nail down her top time of the season.

"I ran faster today than I did last year at this meet," Frey said. "Times are coming down."

Frey had a bit of help in the 1,600 relay, where Madden came from behind on the final lap to secure the Fillies' victory.

"I was hoping to hold down the final straightaway," said Madden of her anchor leg. "I was just pushing as hard as I could."

Anna Etherington set a meet record by clearing 11-6 to lead the Fillies to first in the pole vault relay (18-6). Now the senior is setting her sights on 12-0.

"I'm sure it will come and I'm feeling pretty confident," Etherington said.

Senior Sarah Gorden helped lead Conant to first in the 4 x 100 high hurdle shuttle (65.4), then combined with Taylor Graham, Tina Tortorici and Angela Herrmann to lead the Cougars to first in the 400 relay (49.0).

Gorden, who hit a 14.6 to win the high hurdles at the Cougar Twilight on Friday, came back early Saturday to take second in the 300 low hurdles (44.6).

The junior finished fifth in Class 3A last season in the 300 low hurdles and is looking impressive in both the 100 highs and 300 lows this season.

"Last year I really didn't do the highs, so it has kind of changed," Gorden said. "I try to sprint the 300 lows too, but the highs are like bam, bam."

Herrmann continues to impress in the sprints, The Cougars sophomore took first in the 100 dash (12.4) on Saturday and has anchored the sprint relays.

Hoffman Estates took a low-key approach after winning the Cougar Twilight on Friday, but the Hawks flashed their potential by setting a meet record to win the distance medley (12:16.1).

Haley Goers set the tone for the Hawks in the first 1,200 meters, with Gisela Duenes and Jessi Flach continuing the effort. Melissa Schmidt nailed down the victory, cruising the final 1,600 in 5:01 to secure the victory.

"It was exciting and I thought we all worked well together," said Schmidt, who is in prime condition after recovering from a fall injury. "I just want to keep improving and not over-think anything."

Junior Precious Ogunleye hit 42.5 to lead Hoffman to first in the shot put relay (109-9.5).

Senior Ashley Fullerton cleared 5-1 and junior Kelsey Onesto hit 16-5.5, leading Fremd to second in both the high jump relay (14-7) and long jump relay (48-6.75).

Dee Hanna, Mayra Ocampo, Kim Voltaire and Sydney Keith combined to lead Wheeling to second in the frosh/soph 800 medley.