The heavy rains that precluded the finishing touches of the annual Sue Pariseau Glenbard West Invitational were a serious concern for head coach Kelly Hass and her coaches. But the thought of cancelling the meet was not. Despite the fact that the entire Glenbard West football stadium (track included) was under water, Hass indicated there would be a meet. “Come hell or high water... we are running this meet… we are having a meet on Saturday.”
There is no doubt that that the 2013 spring season has been a tremendous challenge for school administrators and coaches because of unusually bad weather, but then again some historical events must take precedence when applicable. Coach Hass and the athletic director Joe Kain performed a marvelous job in securing Illinois Benedictine University as a meet host. So now the meet will happily go on.
Distance events will rule the show-
As it has been the case involving west suburban Chicago invites, the distance events will be center of attention.
Don’t expect Emma Fisher (Sr., Elmhurst York) to take it easy on Lisa Luczak (So., Glenbard West) and the rest of the competition in the 3200m. Fisher hasn’t run an outdoor “two-miler” yet, but she has been building strong after running 5:02.23 for 1600m and setting a Downers Grove North track record last weekend. The eye-popping mark to consider is the 10:26.06 indoor mark that ranked US#2/IL#1. Luczak is going to be a good challenge considering that she is the Illinois Top Times champion (10:37.04). Naperville North duo threats Kimber Meyer (Jr.) and Elly DeTurris (So.) will chief competition in the field as will Carly Krull (Jr., Orland Park Sandburg).
The 800m showdown between undefeated foes Emma Reifel (Sr., Glenbard West) and Shianne Baggett (Sr., Chicago Whitney Young) should be a good one. Reifel is one of the state’s premier middle-distance runners after running some of the fastest times over the past few years whether on the 4x8r or in the open category. She produced an epic 4x8r anchor leg (2:12) last spring that produced the second fastest team time ever for Illinois girls (9:00.72). Baggett is no slouch either and will put Reifel to the test; her personal best of 2:14.21 could surface if the weather conditions and competition steps forward. In addition, Alison Farnsworth (Jr., Wheaton North) will add some depth and intrigue to the race. Let’s not forget about Molly Krawczykowski (Jr., Willowbrook). She was the runner-up here last year.
The race of the day may be the 1600m with Maddie Perez (Jr., Glenbard West), Jill Hardies (Sr., Hinsdale Central), Krull, and Luczak entered. Hardies won this event last year at the expense of Perez in meet record time. But Perez is a different runner this season and is perhaps the top overall distance runner in the state who has a personal best well under 5:00. The weather conditions at the time of the race are expected to idea which could mean another meet record and possibly a new state leader from the winner.
Overall, the Sue Pariseau Invite should be very entertaining-
Whitney Young, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard West, York, Barrington, and Naperville North were the top five teams last year in the final team standings. They all should be among the flock vying for top team honors again.
The marks coming in for some of the traditionally strong events may be a little deceptive because weather has played some a force in keeping them down. For instance, the sprint relays could see a jump in times. The 4x1, 4x2, and 4x4 should produce a few season bests from the likes of Whitney Young, Lake Zurich, and Hinsdale Central.
Of all of the field events to watch, keep an eye on the pole vault and McKenzee Kroeschell (Sr., Oak Park-River Forest). She placed third in the state last year with a personal best of 12-3. Now may be the time for that height to be scaled.
Senior Colleen Krawczykowski of Willowbrook jumped 17-8.5 last year at state. She undoubtedly will be one of the best leapers in the state when the dust finally settles.