Abbott And The Saints March Out Of Lake Park Victorious

Alice Abbott and Naomi Ruff did not waste any time in getting things started in the girl's varsity race

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Lake Park HS; Roselle, IL

The Illinois High School Association released its post-season host assignments the other day and it was no surprise that Lake Park High School named one of the five 3A sectional hosts. School officials greeted the runners with a minor alteration to the course layout. The mile and two-marker markers were pushed back due to a running curve adjustment that is supposed to elevate traffic and generate faster times. The gorgeous weather that Mother Nature mixed in was an added complemented.

The girls led off to a mix of ACT testing and added entries. Wheaton-Warrenville South, Lane Tech and several others had their meet at Wauconda canceled due to weather. Lake Park meet officials were gracious enough to allow last-minute entries in. The meet was run incredibly well and the hospitality was exceptional!

Three-time winner Katelynne Hart (Sr., Glenbard West) was a notable absence because she was on a college visit. That set the stage for last year's runner-up and emerging elite Alice Abbott (Jr., St. Charles East) to step up and assume the throne. Abbott did not waste any time in getting out fast and quickly separating from the pack. Tagging along in the vicinity was the precocious Naomi Ruff (So., South Elgin). Abbott hit the first mile around 5:14 and Ruff was a short distance back. The team race at this juncture was a sea of green between WSC Silver rivals #7 York and #21 Glenbard West. It was clear as the stream of runners passed through by at the speed of light, that one of these two teams was going to be crowned champion. Ranked squads Wheaton-Warrenville South and Prospect was decimated by their kids taking the ACT.

Abbott continued her assault on the field going through the second mile in 11:07. The rest of the field had slowed down which made her lead seem even more impressive. As Abbott sped away to a win in 17:09, Ruff was able to lock up second in 17:33. Glenbard West took the next two slots with sophomores Delaney Engel and Audrey Allman who ran 17:50 and 17:52.6 respectively. Junior Melissa Jachim of Downers Grove South was the last girl under 18:00, clocking 17:52.9 for fifth place.

TOP FIVE TEAMS-

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The boys race featured two stellar teams in #2 St. Charles East and #3 Wheaton-Warrenville South. They both opened their seasons with easy invitational victories last weekend. In the first of two straight weekend meetings between the powerful squads, it was imperative for someone to strike the punch in the face first. St. Charles East senior Bob Liking and several of his mates clashed precisely with the Tigers who led with senior William Hauenstein. The first mile was a very fast 4:43. Of course, there would be no way that the leaders would keep this intensity up. In the meantime, it was a nice vanity look for Hauenstein, Micah Wilson (So., St. Charles East), Ian Geisler (Sr., Huntley), Aidan King (Sr., St. Charles East), and David Zeller (Sr., Wheaton South). 

Liking was alone by two miles as he passed a large crowd in 9:41. Hit was evident that he was going to run a great time if not a personal best if he could string along 5:00 mile.

Liking would cruise home in a PB 14:41- eight seconds in front of Hauenstein who had to hold off Geisler, Wilson, and King. All of them broke 15:00 as they dashed across the finish line. It was a wonderful display of individual talent which is sure to be repeated next weekend at Detweiller Park.

As for the team standings, the scorecard does not lie. St. Charles East and Wheaton South are heads and shoulders above the rest of the field. 

TOP FIVE TEAMS-