Girls cross country: WW South's Poglitsch, York claim titles at Palatine

Wheaton Warrenville South junior Samantha Poglitsch was running on low on a muddy and slippery course, but had enough in her tank at the end to run to the title at the Palatine girls cross country invitational on Saturday at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine.

Poglitsch used a surge in the final mile to hold off Barrington senior Allison Drage to race to the victory in 17:37.

"I wanted to go out and be with the top group and see whatever I had left at the end," said Poglitsch, who used the final downhill to propel herself to victory.

"I knew I was going to be able to use whatever I had left in my tank and the hill was going to motivate me and shoot me down to the finish. I was hoping for that."

Drage hung tough crossing the finish line in 17:38, followed by Lakes junior Brooke Stromsland (17:45), Vernon Hills freshman Rose Sheridan (17:53), and Dunlap freshman Saniya Mathew (18:17).

"I knew if I could keep up with her (Poglitsch) it would be good for me," said Drage of the narrow finish. "Sometimes I'm a bit too conservative at the end, so I decided to let it go in the last 400 meters. Today wasn't my day but it gives me a goal for my next race."

York put five runners in the top 30 to earn the team title with 132 points, followed by Barrington (168 points), Oswego (172 points), Vernon Hills (191 points), and Wheaton Warrenville South (202 points).

Poglitsch linked with Drage, Stromsland, and Sheridan early in the race to create some separation on the field. She then leaned on her finishing kick to earn the victory.

"It was nice to win one," said Poglitsch. "It was not an easy one, definitely was hard."

Stromsland also looked impressive with her third-place finish. The defending Class 2A champion got out a bit faster than expected but still had enough left to finish strong.

"I wanted to go out at a comfortable pace and work the second mile," said Stromsland. "It was hard but I was lucky to have a little bit of a burst at the end."

Sheridan is off to an impressive start for Vernon Hills, and the Cougar freshman continued her momentum on Saturday with her fourth-place finish.

"I was hoping to stick with the lead pack," said Sheridan of her nice run. "Everything I had left I put into it and I feel like I can get faster times."

Freshman Brooke Berger (19:01) took 20th place to pace York to the team title. She was followed by senior Lydia Hickey (25th place), sophomore Kateyln Winton (28th place), sophomore Katelyn Leonard (29th place), and freshman Bria Bennis (30th place).

"That is what we have been focusing on all season," said York coach Lauren DeAngelis of the Dukes' solid pack. "We talk about it every single week, making sure they get the confident start from the beginning and finding each other and then working with each other the entire time pushing through."

Barrington was without its top runner, Molly FitzPatrick, who tweaked her ankle early in the season, but the Fillies hung tough on Saturday.

Drage led the charge and was followed by senior Alyssa Norris (18:29) who took ninth place.

"We had a great week of practice and it carried over to today," said Barrington coach Debbie Revolta. "Everybody has a job to do and a role to play. They went out there today and did it."

Vernon Hills also looked tough. Sheridan led the charge and the Cougars were aided by sophomore Emma Wakefield (19:03), who took 22nd place.

"Every week we are getting a little stronger and better as a team," said Vernon Hills coach Suzanne Curry.

Wheaton Warrenville South rounded out the top five with Poglitsch leading the charge. Senior Kaitlyn Nenninger (18:39) also aided the Tigers' run, finishing in 12th place.

Lake Zurich freshman Brooke Johnston (18:20) took sixth place to pace the Bears.

"I wanted to go out hard and stick with the top runners," said Johnston. "I wanted to keep them in my view; definitely helps with my confidence.

Downers Grove North junior Melissa Jachim (18:23) took seventh place in leading the Trojans to a ninth-place team finish.

Christian Liberty Academy Julia Wolk (18:29) took 10th place.

Sophomore Audrey Ginsberg (18:48) and junior Annika Erickson (18:49) went 15-16 in helping Prospect to a 10th-place finish.