Pinnick, Waubonsie Valley claim UEC title
The legend of Shakeia Pinnick continues to grow.
The Waubonsie Valley junior, who last summer established a new age-group national record in the 400-meter hurdles, reached double digits in career Upstate Eight Conference girls track and field indoor championships Thursday night in St. Charles.
The Warriors' superstar won four individual races -- giving her 10 indoor crowns in three years -- and Waubonsie Valley needed every point to fend off Neuqua Valley.
The Warriors scored the maximum 36 points in back-to-back events that Pinnick captured -- the 200 dash and 55 hurdles -- to gain a plurality over the Wildcats they would never relinquish.
Waubonsie Valley, which also received a brilliant all-around effort from senior Toni Ogundare, turned back Neuqua Valley 150-144 for top honors.
With Pinnick causing heads to alternately turn and shake with her effortless victories, the squads from the Elgin area were left to prepare for the coming outdoor season.
Bartlett (17 points) had the best area showing, followed by Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin and Streamwood.
With No. 1 sprinter Dede Sutton out with an injury, the Hawks' attentions turned to Sam Salinas.
The junior was at the lead of the star-studded 1,600 field, only to fall back and settle for fourth with a time of 5:28. 71.
"I wanted to stay with the top group as long as possible," Salinas said. "I felt really good."
The Hawks' Kristen Schneider and Lauren Prescott were fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 800 meters.
All four relays placed for Bartlett as the quartet at 3,200 meters had the finest overall showing with a third-place result.
Britney Whitehead was the leader for Larkin with her twin places in the 55 hurdles and dash.
The converted middle-distance runner was less than pleased, however.
"Today wasn't a good day," Whitehead said. "The (coaches) felt I could make something more out of running the sprints."
St. Charles East, with junior distance ace Lizzy Hynes carrying the day, was third with 102. Lake Park edged St. Charles North for fourth place.
"I have been having a great (indoor) season," said Pinnick, who added individual titles in the 55 and 400 dashes. "I have been running faster and faster when I run the hurdles. (The events I run) are pretty much what the coaches want for me to help the team."
"Nothing she does surprises me anymore," said the Saints' Hynes, a two-time all-state 1,600 runner who captured her specialty event in a sizzling 5 minutes, 5.42 seconds. "She is definitely the best athlete in the state. It's fun just to watch her."
Pinnick eased to titles in the twin 55-meter events and demolished the fields by a combined six seconds with her triumphs at 200 and 400 meters.
Ogundare, meanwhile, secured the fifth of the Warriors' six individual championships with a dominating effort in the 800. The senior showcased her disparate talents with a runner-up result in the high jump and fifth-place result in the 1,600.
Waubonsie Valley sophomore Maria Aguilar was a surprise winner in the pole vault, and the Warriors' 4-lap relay, with bookends Allie Pacienza and Dasha Patton leading the way, eased past St. Charles North for their lone team championship.
"Between Keia and Ogundare, that's 60 points right there," Waubonsie Valley coach Jim Braun said, only to deadpan. "That's why I'm such a great coach."