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BY JIM PETERS
jpeters@nwitimes.com
219.548.4363 | Wednesday, October 11, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
LIBERTY TWP. | Anger, when channeled properly, can serve a positive purpose.
Stung by its loss at the Duneland Athletic Conference meet, Valparaiso rebounded to capture Tuesday's Chesterton Sectional, extending its streak to eight, 29-43, over second-place Portage.
"I think they were ticked off about conference," Vikings coach Karen DeVries said. "They know they can do it. They do it in practice. It's a matter of believing they can do it. I was pleased to see them gutting it out, fighting through instead of backing off. It's nice to see them getting where we want to be."
In a reverse of last year's finish, Amanda and Lauren Hardesty went 1-2. The Vikings got a big lift with the return of Megan Ranegar. Sidelined for several weeks by a hip problem, the sophomore took seventh, with Molly Steiner eighth. No. 4 runner Ashlee Karp (tendinitis) didn't race.
"It's good to see everyone do really well," Amanda Hardesty said. "We were definitely disappointed by our conference team place. We've been a little frustrated, with injuries and people not running."
The Hardestys were hoping for one final run at Sunset Hill Farm, the usual sectional site, but the course change didn't affect their performances. Amanda posted a 15-second victory, finishing in 14 minutes, 49.72 seconds.
"The season's just flown by," she said. "I'm really excited about state."
Lauren clocked 15:04.53.
"I don't feel that edge that I had before like Amanda does," Lauren said. "She can pick it up that last mile and I'm just trying to hang on to the same pace. Hopefully, I can get that back by state. But if someone's going to beat me, I want it to be her."
Portage was led by Melinda Misch (third) and Tiffany Caluag (fifth), with Kouts freshman Courtney Bennett placing in between.
"I was excited to see what it would be like running against the bigger schools," said Bennett, who targeted Misch for her race strategy. "It builds my confidence. I'm excited to see how regionals goes."
Chesterton, Kouts and Hebron were the other team qualifiers. Boone's Kim Matusik advanced individually, running sixth.
Chesterton Sectional
Valparaiso won for the eight straight time.
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