It was no day at the beach, but Maine West's young 2008 team finally competed outdoors, finishing second in the District 207 meet at Maine East April 2 with 57 points -- behind Maine South (92) and ahead of the host Demons (37).
The Warriors hadn't participated in any meet since placing fourth during the CSL North indoor meet at Maine East back on March 13. Bad weather wiped out an outdoor quad March 20.
"The girls did well, considering it was our first outdoor meet and on a pretty cold night," LeCastro said. "We were a little shorthanded. We still need to improve, but I think we will with more practice. It's going to be a real horse race in the outdoor (conference meet)."
In the indoor league test, Maine West (65) was within striking range of Highland Park (93), Niles North (92) and Glenbrook North (79).
West won both the indoor and outdoor conference titles last spring.
Because of the youth of this year's squad, veteran West head coach Joe LeCastro is being patient as he hopes for collective improvement in six meets over the next three weeks.
The outdoor CSL North meet is slated for May 2 at Deerfield.
On April 2, West junior star Liz Meier placed first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 34.6 seconds. She qualified for the state meet in the 800 last season.
Junior Shaneese Nelson was a winner in both shot put (31 feet, 10 inches) and discus (101-3). Janelle Stolz was second in shot (31-8.5), and senior Michelle Pecucci placed second in discus (75-2).
Julie Dusckett earned first place in long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 6.5 inches. The junior also finished third in triple jump (29-11.5).
Senior Lindsay Jozefat claimed second in high jump (4-8), and classmate Mary Kusner was third (4-6). Jozefat also finished second in pole vault (7-6) and second in the 300 low hurdles (55.4 seconds). Freshman Taylor Stephenson placed second in the 400 (1:06.6).
Junior Shaina Yalda continued to impress in her first year on the track, notching third in both the 100 (13.9) and 200 (28.5), and contributing in the 800 relay as well. That group -- including senior Kellye Donnelly, and sophomores Samantha Acosta and Jenny Bochnak -- placed second (1:59.8).
LeCastro believes the 1600 and 3200 relay units have considerable upside, and both finished in second place at Maine East -- the former in 4:36.3 and the latter in 10:53.0. Runners included Meier, Sara Ring, Caroline Bednarski, Emily Sinkler, Stephenson and Angel Parrilli. Ring was also third in the 400 (1:07.6). West's 400 relay was third (55.0), too.
Going back to the indoor conference meet, Meier topped the field in the 800, and Kusner -- just one practice removed from the basketball season -- placed first in high jump with a leap of 4-10.
Stolz and Nelson respectively finished second and third in shot put. Stephenson ran to second place in the 400.
"Liz has a pretty good time for this juncture. I'm very happy with Julie. Shaina has come along nicely in the sprints," stated LeCastro. "Our shot/discus girls are doing extremely well. I really think our relay teams will keep getting better with more work."
Maine West hosted Niles West, New Trier, Jones Prep and Gordon Tech on Monday. The Warriors return against host Glenbrook South, Loyola, Harlan, Senn and Simeon April 14.
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