Utilizing several athletes from their Class 3A state cross country championship team, the Pirates dominated the distance events as they nipped host East St. Louis for the team title at Clyde Jordan Stadium.

Competing in its first outdoor meet of the season, Palatine got a 1-2 finish from Emily Schulte and Becca Sund in the 3,200 meters and added wins in the 3,200 and distance-medley relays to help finish with 106 points, five more than East St. Louis.

“We’ve been competing at indoor meets which last two or three hours. I was concerned how we would react at a big meet like this one which takes more time. We did just fine.”

East St. Louis, getting second-place finishes from Ashley Gaston in the shot put and discus and also in the 400 relay, placed second with 101 points, while Edwardsville (91 points), (Chicago) Morgan Park (57) and Springfield (56) rounded out the top five teams.

East St. Louis coach Nino Fennoy said he was pleased with how the meet went and for the most part was satisfied with how his Flyerettes competed.

“It was a good meet with good competition and the weatherman cooperated,” Fennoy said. “That’s one of the goals to keep the sisterhood of kids competing and the fraternity of those who are coaches going. Then at the end of the day, the kids have a smile and we’ll see you at the next competition.

“As for us, it would be good to be able to come out and win every event and while you come out and try to do that, the performances merited the day. We know what we need to do to go forward.”

While Palatine and East St. Louis stole the show in the team competition, Central junior Jena Hemann and Edwardsville freshman Emmonnie Henderson were the individual stars.

Hemann, competing in four events for the first time this season, won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 7 inches and the long with jump with an effort of 18-5 . Hemann also took second in the triple jump and was sixth in the 100.

Henderson won the shot put with a throw of 41-9 inches and the discus with an impressive toss of 136-7.

Edwardsville teammate Hannah Faulkner won the pole vault by clearing 10-6.

Hemann, whose 28 individual points put Central in 11th place in the 26-team field, was nothing short of brilliant on a cool, but sunny afternoon.

“It was a good day. I’m pleased at how I did,” Hemann said. “It’s always kind of fun to compete against different athletes and to be able to do well, just makes it even better.

“I felt good. Competing against this caliber of athletes will help prepare me for later in the season.”

Belleville East, competing for the second time in 24 hours after placing third at the Belleville West Invitational on Friday, was 10th with 30 points.

Leading the way for East was Jessica McKaskill, who took fourth in the 100 hurdles.