Schneider leads Bartlett at UEC Valley

Updated: May 5, 2011 11:20PM

A 40-minute lightning delay may have thrown Alyssa Schneider off track a bit, but the Bartlett miler wasn’t about to be denied in the 1,600-meter run at the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division meet Thursday at Waubonsie Valley.

The Bartlett senior came back after the delay and ran a 5:05.13, defeating Lake Park runner-up Kaylee Flanagan by 2.3 seconds.

“I was really looking forward to breaking five minutes,” said Schneider, who took sixth in state in the event last year and has been running from 5:01 to 5:05 this year. “It was tough waiting to come back but the weather was actually a little better after the rain. The wind wasn’t blowing as hard when we came back.”

It was the second first-place finish of the night for Schneider, who anchored the Hawks’ winning 3,200 relay team that also included Taylor Crawford, Julie Cronin and Megan Zmich.

Bartlett’s 1,600 relay of Kelsie Lynch, Cronin, Sarah Kasiurak and Emily Wilson also won, as did shot put thrower Katie Lausen (37.9.5), helping the team score 82 points and finish fifth in the inaugural event.

Lake Park used its depth and multiple scoring in multiple events to top host Waubonsie Valley 127-111.5 for the team title. Neuqua Valley (98) was third, Metea Valley (90) fourth, South Elgin (24.5) sixth and East Aurora (24) seventh.

“I think we competed well across the board,” said Bartlett coach Anthony Moorman, who thinks both relays can make it to state along with Schneider in the 1,600 and Lausen in one or both throws (she was third in the discus). Nicole Watkins, who finished second in the 3,200, is also capable of “sneaking in, too,” he said.

The Hawks’ 3,200 relay unit finished in 9:34.86.

“That’s four seconds under the state qualifying time,” said Moorman. “The four by four (1600 relay) is right there, too. I had them, unofficially, finishing in 4:08, which is four seconds off the qualifying time. I think with the right weather and right competition and a little bit of rest this upcoming week, we could possibly hit that time.”

The 1,600 relay unit’s official time was 4:08.79.

And Schneider, who will run at Illinois next year?

“She can break five minutes, I’m sure,” said Moorman, who thinks she also has a shot at the state title. “Like they say, on any given day, anything can happen.”

Junior Jordan Tuin was South Elgin’s top finisher, taking second to Waubonsie Valley’s Ashley Bruner in the 800-meter run in 2:23.47. Tuin was also fourth in the 1,600. Katie Goplerud was fourth in the 3,200 for the Storm.

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