Hampshire's Plichta makes school history

Hampshire's Holly Plichta (left) became the first female runner from Hampshire to qualify for state Saturday at the Aurora Christian Class 1A Sectional at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora.
(Donnell Collins/Special to The Courier News)

October 28, 2007 BY EDDIE BURNS With Staff Reports

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AURORA -- Holly Plichta did not get off to the start she wanted on Saturday morning.

Plichta, a sophomore runner from Hampshire, found herself near the back of the pack moments after the start of the Aurora Christian Class 1A Sectional race and she had a decision to make.

"I just got really mad at myself and said, 'Come on Holly, you've got to do it,' " Plichta said. "I worked too hard to not get this, so I just started passing runners one at a time."

Plichta made up significant time and raced to a 10th-place finish at Oakhurst Forest Preserve. She finished the three-mile course in 18:57.2, which earned her a spot in next weekend's state meet. Plichta claimed one of the seven at-large berths which went to the top seven runners whose teams did not qualify for the state meet.

Plichta is the first Hampshire runner to advance to the state meet and she ensured her place in school history with a strong finish.

"I started my kick with about three-fourths of a mile to go, which helped me pass three people near the end," said Plichta, who was in 20th place after the first mile.

Unfortunately for Plichta, she will be going alone to state because the Hampshire girls did not advance as a team. The Whip-Purs, who raced an all-sophomore squad, placed 10th out of 12 teams with 276 points. Winnebago won the girls race with 37 points.

Junior Matt Drendel led the Hampshire boys with a 38th-place finish as the Whips boys placed 11th out of 12 teams with 324 points. Winnebago won the boys race with 63 points.

"Everyone went out hard," Drendel said. "It was amazing there was always someone near you. It was amazing how many fast runners there were. There were so many good runners out there today."

Hampshire coach Patti Nihells could not have been more proud of both squads.

"It just brings tears to my eyes to see the way all of our kids ran today," Nihells said. "Everyone had a personal-best. I'm just so proud of them."

Westminster Christian was shut out in its bid to send an individual to state. Junior Zach Holmer (16:13.4, 21st) and sophomore Beth Kautz (21:03.6, 64th) led the Warriors.

Palatine Class 3A Sectional -- Youth prevailed for the Dundee-Crown boys on Saturday as they advanced to the state meet, finishing fourth as a team in the Palatine Class 3A Sectional at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve.

Joining them Downstate will be Huntley senior Todd Farbiak, Huntley freshman Hayley Loprieno and D-C junior Kelsey Seiler.

The D-C boys will move on thanks in large part to their underclassmen, as three counted toward the team score. The Chargers were led by freshman Anthony Manfrin (15:08, 18th) and senior Connor Kustief (15:15, 20th). D-C also was paced by junior Paul Smith (15:28, 38th), freshman Jon Keable (15:36, 49th) and sophomore Nathan Prom (15:41, 56th).

"I felt good today," Manfrin said. "I'm usually around Connor, so I try to run off of him. He usually gets me going. It's great because we were a young team, we didn't have much experience and going into regionals we weren't supposed to make it out of there. So it's great to be going to state."

D-C's girls almost made it as well, finishing sixth and coming just three points shy of advancing. For Seiler, the result, which saw her heading Downstate without her team was bittersweet.

"I just wanted to go down with the team. That's what my goal was," said a teary-eyed Seiler, who placed 16th in 17:50. "But I'm happy."

Seiler finished 16th overall and was the seventh -- and last -- at-large individual qualifier.

Huntley came up empty team-wise, but had a couple bright spots in Loprieno and Farbiak.

"It was my best race," Loprieno said. "My coach (Dana Burner) kept telling me I was going to go (to state) and I didn't believe her. But when I got ninth, I knew I would go. It hasn't quite sunk in yet."

Loprieno came in ninth in 17:38, while Farbiak finished 16th in 15:05 to nab the final at-large berth.

"It's been my goal all season," said Farbiak. "I had to push as hard as a could because I'm a senior and I haven't been (to state) yet. It feels awesome."

-- Andy Rohr

Schaumburg Class 4A Sectional -- Chris DeSilva's third-place effort of 15:16.85 lifted St. Charles North's team to a third-place finish and a state berth.

Streamwood senior Neal Klein (15:36.8, 14th) also advanced at Busse Woods Forest Preserve.

St. Charles East junior Lizzy Hynes won the girls race in 17:41.45. The Saints standout placed sixth Downstate last season.

St. Charles North's Stephanie Strasser (18:26.6, 8th) also advanced and will try to improve on her eighth-place effort Downstate in 2006.