Young takes third at Schiller

Fresh off their city championship, Whitney Young learned they still have room to improve after taking third place in the Class 3A Whitney Young Regional at Schiller Woods.

The Dolphins had to compete in the meet without top runner Rachel Joravsky, but even if she ran Young wouldn't have been able to get past a McAuley team that won the meet and placed all seven runners in the top 10, all with times under 19:31.

Young's Devyn Thompson captured the individual title, running the 3-mile course in 18:09. Teammate Lavinia Jurkiewicz (Logan Square) finished in third place running a 18:18 while Maisie Vachuska (Ravenswood) was ninth with a 19:10.

Other key contributors for the Dolphins were Biyang Wang of Lake View (28th, 21:45) and Samantha Warner (30th, 22:04).

Young will try and become the first Chicago Public League team to qualify for state when they compete at the Niles West Sectional Saturday.

Heading into sectionals, McAuley, Stagg, Sandburg and Loyola appear to have locked up spots to state meaning there will be 16 teams fighting for one spot.

Lane Tech nabbed fourth place at the Young Regional behind the efforts of Stephanie Pineda (15th, 19:54), Shaeen Kazmi (21st, 21:11), Isabelle Carr (22nd, 21:17), Michelle Rodriguez (23rd, 21:18) and Terisita Pineda (25th, 21:27)

In the Class 3A regional at Schiller Woods, both Northside College Prep (3rd, 87 points) and Mather (5th, 91 points) managed to advance to next week's sectional at Niles West.

Leading the way for the Mustangs were Rachel Kittaka (4th, 19:11), Ani Zotti (9th, 20:01), Anna Parks (17th, 20:42), Bessie Nolan (25th, 21:04) and Adora Achufusi (32nd, 21:27).

Pacing the Rangers was Chequia Wesley (8th, 20:00), Teresa Robeldo (10th, 20:13), Monica Rodriguez (12th, 20:19), Marily Angel (30th, 21:14) and Diana Arrellano (31st, 21:22).

Lake View and St. Scholastica earned a trip to sectionals by taking fourth and fifth place respectively in the race at Bull Frog Lake.

The Wildcats were led by Yosely Sebastian (9th, 22:48.5), Adrianna Ortiz (12th, 23:03.5), Kyndra Garrett (17th, 23:34.5), Coralia Davila (24th, 24:11.9) and Jasmine Limberg (35th, 26:15.9).

The Stingers were represented well by Ciera Shimkus (16th, 23:33.6), Hannah Gregory (26th, 24:18.1), Maja Hadziamhetovic (36th, 26:39.6), Sam Miller (37th, 26:40.2), Danielle Steele (39th, 31:27.0).

Walter Payton advanced to sectionals with a second place finish in the Class 2A regional at Washington Park.

The Grizzlies were paced by Madison Palffy (7th, 21:34), Alexis Caldero (10th, 22:47), Skyler Larimore (11th, 22:47), Gabbi Kelenyi (16th, 23:49) and Maya Laborites (17th, 23:54).

Other area individuals advancing were Noble Street's Kristina Rodriguez (31st, 26:49), Beth Torres (35th, 27:31), Alexis Kalfas (36th, 27:34), Jenny Avalos (38th, 29:53) and Christine Reyes (39th, 30:34).

Northside College Prep captured the title in the 22-team event by winning four of the 11 relays at UIC.

Picking up victories were the 3x100 medley team of Megan Grant, Monica Pinkus and Alexa Chavez; the 3x50 breaststroke team of Grant, Pinkus and Mary Mussman, the 6x50 frosh-soph free relay team of Emma Battaglia, Katie Sonnefeldt, Melissa High, Courtney Quigley, Pinkus and Chavez and the 200 medley team of Chavez, Pinkus, Grant and Mussman.

Four days later they beat Lane Tech in a duel meet 94-86 thanks to wins by Pinkus in the 100 breaststroke and 50 free, Chavez in the 200 free, Lynette Ardies in diving.