Girls track and field: Huntley runs away with FVC indoor meet
Veteran Huntley girls track coach Shawn Nordeen realized at this time of the indoor season his team needed a competitive meet.
Tuesday's Fox Valley Conference meet at Huntley provided the spark the Red Raiders needed.
With three individual championships along with sweeping the three relay events Huntley cruised to the FVC indoor title with 141 points.
Cary-Grove was 37 points behind Huntley in second place with a score of 104.
"We have hit a lull in the indoor season and needed to compete against good teams and good individuals," said Nordeen. "I like the progress this team has made through the indoor season. We had a lot of contributions from many people tonight. We look at the big picture. We know with the indoor and the outdoor season it is a long season. It is certainly a process."
The individual winners for the Red Raiders were Mary Raclawski (800, 2:25.52), Daryn Davis (60 hurdles, 9.43) and Rhian Whitfield (pole vault, 9 feet, 6 inches).
"I just went for it and was just focusing on myself and my time," said Raclawski. "We are fortunate to have this type of facility. I always run well at the field house. I like my progression through the indoor season."
The Red Raiders were a dominant force in the relays claiming top honors in the 3,200 (10:07.27), 800 (1:49.26) and 1,600 (4:14.90).
Second-place Cary-Grove garnered top accolades from Sophia Galfano (400, 1:03.11), Jenna Magel (200, 27.27), and Kate Rhode (shot put, 35-5).
"My strategy was to take the lead on the last corner and last stretch," said Galfano. "I was really ready for the competition that the Fox Valley Conference brings. There are so many good runners in this conference and I was really happy with the way I ran. I like the way I have gotten better in every meet during the indoor season."
Jacobs, fourth with 36 points, got its lone first place effort from Aly Doherty (3,200, 11:49.14).
"I ran my race independent from everybody else," said Doherty. "I like my fitness at this time of the indoor season and like the tempo I ran with."
Hampshire was seventh with a score of 17 points. Sophia Oury was the top Whip-Purs performer by winning the 1,600 run in a clocking of 5:28.76.
Dundee-Crown finished eighth with a score of 16. The Chargers' top finisher was Sylvia Waz, who was runner-up to Doherty in the 3,200 in a time of 11:59.23.
Grayslake North was ninth was 13 points. The Knights' 3,200 relay team was second with a time of 10:22.29.
The top individual performers for Grayslake North came from fifth place efforts by Leialani Akalaonu (200, 27.73) and Emily Huculak (shot put, 32-8).