Girls cross country: Palatine improves while Barrington's Long looks sharp
Expectations are on the rise for Palatine's girls cross country team.
The Pirates entered the season with some questions marks after parting with Kelly O'Brien and Sam Lechowicz, a pair of all-state runners.
But coach Joe Parks and the Pirates have quietly put together a group that is starting to show plenty of promise.
Senior Danya Lloyd (18:48) and sophomore Liz Lechowicz (18:48) led the Pirates' crew once again in finishing in second and third while leading the visitors to a 20-36 Mid-Suburban League West victory over host Barrington at Beese Park.
Barrington's Jocelyn Long added to her promising start to the season by taking first in 18:24.
Lloyd and Lechowicz picked up the pace behind the Fillies junior to get the Pirates on the right track.
"I don't think anybody knew what we had coming into the season," said Palatine coach Joe Parks. "We didn't even know, but I'm seeing a lot of potential."
Senior Izzeh Stankiewicz (19:35), junior Lauryn Simons (19:35) and senior Anna Buckstaff (19:36) then strung together a nice line in securing the 4-5-6 positions.
"Right now we are known as the underdogs," said Lloyd. "Nobody knows what we're capable of doing, but we love the challenge and we are pushing each other every day."
The Pirates will definitely be challenged in the coming weeks with competing at the Richard Spring Invitational in Peoria and also at the Palatine Invitational on back-to-back weekends. Palatine also has a couple of high-stakes dual meets in the MSL West.
Palatine is hoping those meets will harden their resolve.
"A lot people don't expect a lot from us, but we are working hard to change that," said Lechowicz. "We are putting the pieces together."
Long's breathtaking start to the season only seems to be gaining momentum.
She won the St. Charles Leavey Invitational and followed that up by taking first on the state course at the First to the Finish Invitational last weekend.
"I'm feeling more confident in taking the lead and going out hard," said Long, who finished fifth in the Class 3A state meet last fall. "I know I can run and put all my hard work on the course."
Barrington has started the season a bit short-handed, but the Fillies are getting healthy and it showed on Wednesday.
Senior Sammie Samaryczew (19:47) had a solid race in taking seventh and junior Caitlin Feely (19:53) returned from an injury to take eighth place.
Freshman Isabella Fier (20:00) added a ninth-place finish for the Fillies.
"I think we took a big step today," said Barrington coach Deb Revolta. "There is still time and I was encouraged by the results today."