The girls invitational portion is expected to be lights out with Molly Fitzpatrick of Barrington leading the charge
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Lyons Twp was the surprise winner last year as they put five scorers among the top 30. That repeat performance may be tough if the top runners don't step up their game. Two teams that have stepped up their games are Barrington and York. Both squads have run well up to the midway point in this season. The Fillies have a sureshot frontrunner in junior Molly Fitzpatrick. She is the defending meet champion and currently ranks among the elite girls in the state of Illinois. There is also a transfer from Cary-Grove named Allison Drage. She has supplemented the horses and if Alyssa Norris gets back to form, it will be a fight for second among the rest of the crop. The Dukes of York do not have a true low pole position runner, but they have perhaps the best 1-5 scoring punch in the field. Dropping an average of 45 seconds has been routine and that could keep them in good company.
There are two 2A powerhouse programs in the field. Vernon Hills and Dunlap will psychologically play games with one another but would like to do well against the 3A and out of state titans as well. Vernon Hills was an easy winner at FTTF several weeks ago despite a high scoring split. Freshman Rose Sheridan is a tremendous individual talent and will lead the charge. The key to a top three to five team finish is the #5 runner. As far as the rebuilt Dunlap squad, it will be all about how the pack can race in such a deep field. They also have a great frontrunner of their own in Saniya Mathew.
If there is one team that could rise up to the challenge is Wheaton-Warrenville South. The Tigers have yet to get untracked this season. Junior Sam Poglitsch has been running well as usual, but the back end of the team's scoring group has been a concern. It was a 19:27 fifth girl that has created a 2:00 plus split. That must improve immediately if the Tigers hope to be among the top seven teams receiving awards.
New Trier, Oswego, Prospect, and Palatine are teams that should fight for a team trophy.
The first for the individual prize will be a good one. Fitzpatrick is the favorite but she is not out of the woods. Junior Brooke Stromsland of Lakes lost to Fitzpatrick by three seconds at FTTF 17:02-17:05. This rematch should be a great one to watch. Add in Poglitsch, Mathew, and Sheridan for good measure.