Meet Records Outshine Team Hype At Naperville Twilight

Girls-

Naperville North got the job done behind Sarah Schmitt and Alex Morris

As the music began building into the higher or lower frequencies of the fans and athletes, you knew it was just about ready for prime time. The girls varsity race got off on time at 7pm sharp. And to no one's suprise sophomore sensation from Glenbard West Katelynne Hart bolted away within seconds of the starter's pistol. As Hart approached the first mile she already had a commanding lead. And it was fast! How about a record pulsating 5:14 that left so many watching buzzing aloud? The lead pack that featured a rejuvinated Emily Shelton (Sr., Minooka) who decided to go for broke and run on an island came through in 5:35. The rest of the very best hit 5:38 with Sarah Schmitt (Sr., Naperville North) and Alex Morris (Jr., Naperville North). The pace for about 25-30 girls strolled through in the 5:40s. Even the late pack girls were under 6:00.

Hart continued her push into the darkness of the far southeastern and then northeastern part of the course. It was there were the two mile marker was. She reportedly hit 10:31 and was on her way to a smashing time. Back through a cheering crowd she went and entering the stadium for one final time, it was electrifying. Hart was definitely set on getting the meet record 16:16 by former Naperville North great Judy Pendergast. It seemed as though she was running a solo time trial with a 20+ second lead on the nearest competitor. Hart hit the tape somewhere between 16:15-16. No one at the time who exactly what her time was as she laid on the ground beyond the finish line. Schmitt and Morris came through later in big personal bests 16:37 and 16:39 respectively. Payne ran well also as she got the final sub 17:00 clocking. Shelton who competed like a brave heart for much of the race was caught by Alyssa Edwards (Sr., Yorkville) for 5th.

US #2 Naperville North dominated a great field that featured the top three teams and half of the state's 3A ranked teams. As mentioned earlier it was Schmitt and Morris who set the tone for top three finishes. Senior Hannah Ricci put another dagger into second place Yorkville when she ran a lifetime best and 7th overall in 17:01. "We certainly ran well. It was the step forward we were hoping for," said a victorious coach Dan Iverson who was consumed by work details of the Twilight Invitational. "I thought we executed our race very well against some really excellent teams. So we feel gratified with our results from tonight." The end result saw all seven traditional finishers in the top 40 and a 57-84 victory over #3 Yorkville.

The Yorkville Foxes were pleased with the runner up finish who put them significantly ahead of #2 Downers Grove South who scored 130 points. Downers South used a low scoring split 24 seconds but they don't have a low stick that will enable them to challenge Naperville North and Yorkville in smaller and deeper fields such as this. Keep in mind that a young and sneaky #7 Wheaton-Warrenville South team was just a point behind them. The Lady Tigerettes had a scorer trip and fall during the race otherwise they may have placed third ahead of the Mustangs.