The high powered Palatine Invitational was once a big mid-season meet in which most fans anticipated the debut of Elmhurst York’s unveiling of their top varsity seven. However, the emphasis of coaches getting their teams in earlier season clashes as well as out of state clashes has changed the running landscape. So much credit should be given to meet directors Chris Quick (boys), Joe Parks (girls), and Steve Currins (emeritus) for their ingenuity in expanding their meet into one of the biggest and best affairs on the last Saturday in September in the country.
Boys- Start time: 10:50am
Key teams: 3A- US#5/IL#1 Elmhurst (York), #4 Arlington Heights (Hersey), #11 Winnetka (New Trier), #12 Chicago (St. Ignatius), #13 Wilmette (Loyola Academy), #15 Palatine, #20 Barrington, #25 Lake Zurich, Maine South; 2A- #3 Yorkville, #4 Chicago Jones Prep, #5 Crystal Lake Central; out of state: St. Xavier (Louisville)- #1 in Kentucky’s biggest classification, Daviess County- #4 in Kentucky’s biggest classification; St. Louis (University)- #7 in Missouri.
Meet outlook: There is going to be a lot of things at stake here. For some, it will be an opportunity to wipe the slate clean after a less than stellar performance at last weekend’s Richard Spring Invitational in Peoria. One team that immediately comes to mind is Palatine. The host Pirates finished in ninth place scoring 289 points. It was an unusual spot for head coach Chris Quick’s team to finish since he took over as head coach. There were a few misfortunes for his team at Detweiller Park that more than likely will not be repeated on Saturday. So expect the front running Graham Brown (Jr.) to be among the leaders and his supporting cast to follow in close pursuit.
The talk of meet and the big sweepstakes has got to be York verses St. Xavier. If you recall, it was the Tigers who rolled into the Deer Grove East course a year ago and won by the slimmest of margins 84-96 over the favored Dukes of York. Chicago Jones was one-point back with 97. However, St. Xavier will not be able to depend on Connor Sheryak and Sam Lewis who placed in the top 10 last year. They have graduated along with two others that were among the top seven. Senior Chris Striegel is now the team’s lead man. Hopefully, he and his mates will have enough to repeat against a determined York team.
York will be going after invitational win number two after demolishing the competition at Richard Spring last weekend. The Dukes will look to ride the backs of the fine quartet: Alex Bashqawi (Sr.), Nathan Mroz (Sr.), Kyle Mattes (Sr.), and Matt Plowman (Jr.). Last week they rode to a scoring split of 38 seconds that featured three runners in the top 10. At this point it appears as if things could get out of hand if no one can break up the foursome.
Hersey may be the team to put a dent into York’s dominant ways with junior David Rodriguez leading the charge. Rodriguez outkicked Bashqawi and Mroz to take third at Richard Spring. His team also produced a solid 44 second scoring split to take third in the team standings. The Huskies are going to need a better effort from 2-5 if they expect to defeat York and be among the top tier squads.
Keep an eye out for the sub-team battles. Although the meet has one championship level, there is going to be major implications come November for the 2A class race. Defending champion Chicago Jones is starting to hit their stride after losing four key members from last season. The Eagles won an equally short-handed battle against St. Ignatius in their Connelly-Polka Invite last weekend. Junior Will Sarchet stepped up big in the absence of teammate and top runner Peter Schiable (Sr.). St. Ignatius will be looking to get revenge now that they are at full strength, but it will be Crystal Lake Central with Ryan Pitner (Sr.) and Yorkville’s Hoffert twins Jake and Luke trying to give their teams an upper hand on the champions.
Watch for the likes of New Trier with Connor Trapp (Sr.) and Peter Costrilos (Sr.) to get their team rolling after a disappointing seventh place finish last weekend in Peoria. Trapp and Costrilos are top 10 threats if they are on their game plan.
Individually, Jesse Reiser (Jr., McHenry) would appear to be the odds on favorite to win. But don’t count out the likes of Daniel Santino (So., St. Ignatius), Jake Herb (Sr., Barrington), and Jack Carpenter (Sr., Maine South) to challenge Reiser as well as some of the aforementioned names.
Girls- Start time: 10:20am
Key teams: US#6 Assumption (Louisville, KY), US#13/IL#2 Palatine, #11 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #13 Lagrange (Lyons Twp.), #16 Barrington, #17 Downers Grove North, #23 Park Ridge (Maine South); 2A- #1 Yorkville, #5 Crystal Lake Central, #14 Lake Forest; others: Lee’s Summit (Missouri)- #1 in Missouri; Centerville, OH- #5 in Ohio biggest classification.
Meet outlook: There will be a tremendous fight for the prestigious first place trophy on Saturday between the defending champion Assumption (Louisville) and the hostess Palatine. The Lady Rockets are two-time defending meet champions by a long margin as last year’s 50-112 thumping of Lake Park attests. Although the team will return a nucleus of its power base back they will be as dominant. Two of the Rocket’s top senior harriers Bailey Davis and Katherine Receveur are rounding into shape after enduring early season ailments. Another veteran Emily Bean (Sr.) has been running well this season.
Palatine could very well be the team to beat if they run as well as they had at the Hinsdale and Peoria invites that produced wins. In those races, the scoring split was amazing (7 seconds at PND). The key for the Lady Pirates is to keep everyone upright and toward the front. That should not be a problem for the current #1 runner Liz Cox (Sr.) leading the way; she will more than likely finish in the top 10 somewhere and if that is true, it should be more than enough for a team victory.
Yorkville may be a 2A school but they are tough. Look for individual title threat Skyler Bollinger (So.) to lead her team among a field of power names. The Foxes are one of those teams lurking in the background and ready to strike.
Wheaton-Warrenville South, Downers Grove North, Barrington, and Lyons Township are key schools looking to evaluate their status for the post-season. There is no bigger meet than Palatine to do it in.
Individually, Bollinger would have to be paper favorite followed a number of girls (in particular order) fighting for elite status. Keep an eye on Emily Leonard (Sr., Maine South), Lauren Conroy (So., Barrington), Grace Maletich (So., Downers Grove North), Megan Gellinas (Sr., Lake Zurich), Sabina Yosef (So., Palatine), Lexy Rudofski (Sr., Lyons Twp.),