This time, no showdown between Pinnick, Tarter
They won five individual events between them, but there was no showdown Saturday between Waubonsie Valley's Shakeia Pinnick and Batavia's Natalie Tarter.
"Not today," said Batavia coach Chad Hillman, whose team took second to the hosts in the four-team Waubonsie Valley Invitational on the first pleasant day, weather-wise, of the spring for area track teams.
"(Pinnick and Tarter) have had their share (of duels) and they'll get them eventually. We're back here for sectionals."
Pinnick, the Warriors' standout junior, was limited to the 200 and 400, which she won in 24.9 seconds and 57 seconds, respectively. Tarter, the Bulldogs' junior standout, took the 100 (:12.0), 100 hurdles (:14.3) and 300 hurdles (:44.4).
"Pinnick has been sick all week and we put her in different races," said Waubonsie Valley coach Jim Braun, whose team scored 105 points.
The Bulldogs were second with 95 followed by Oswego (39.5) and Lake Forest (36.5).
Waubonsie Valley also got wins from senior Toni Ogundare in the 800 (2:27.1), Angela Beckham in the shot put (34-6).
Ogundare's 800 effort came on the heels of the 3200, which she normally wouldn't run.
Other Batavia winners included Alexis Sampson in the 3200, Kathryn Warner in the pole vault and Melissa Norville in the triple jump. The Bulldogs' 800 and 1600 relays also won.
Oswego got a win in the 1600 from returning state qualifier Christina Sliepka and K. Moore in the discus.
Saturday's event was good for developing depth and helping coaches determine relay lineups for big meets down the road.
"We got some good performances," said Batavia's Chad Hillman. "Brooke Bernardoni ran great, she ran her fastest 400 split ever. Julia Gross, as a new addition this year as a sophomore, did well, too. She ran great leading off (1600 relay) and led off 400 and 800 as well.
"We're happy with the depth we're starting to show."
Waubonsie Valley Invitational
