What was expected to be a great race turned out to be a rout for Dylan Jacobs over Logan Hall (Steve Bugarin photo)
The boys race was similar to the girls in that the opening pace was pushed from the beginning. Dylan Jacobs (Sr., Sandburg) and Logan Hall (Sr., Arthur) both knew what Lyons Township senior Danny Kilrea ran last weekend here. It was certainly doubtful that botih gentlemen had any vision of running 14:02 on a very steamy day. But they want to set a tone they were not pushovers in the bigger landscape of Illinois cross country.
As expected things got it going with a blistering 4:35 opening mile. Jacobs, with Hall on his hip, keep the pressure on his peer as they entered the backloop. As soon as Jacobs made visual contact with his coach John O'Malley and his barking call "let's hit it," he responded immediately to his coach's orders. He proceeded to lose Hall around 2k with a tremendous surge. Jacobs was 6:59 at the halfway point and unopposed. Hall had dropped back but he was well ahead of the third runner Zach Kinne (Jr., Neuqua Valley). The dusty course did very little to stop Jacobs from marching forward as he passed two miles in 9:22. It was here that he sensed the race was his and began to make it a tempo fest over the final mile. Jacobs maintained his poise and finished with a solid time of 14:23 over Hall 14:37. Kinne charged hard after Hall but had to settle for third in 14:39. Nick Lanning (Sr., Barrington) held off surprise fifth placer from elite private school Chicago Francis Parker's senior Jack Mcnabola.
| BOYS THREE MILE RUN FINALS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLACE | ATHLETE | TEAM | RESULT | POINTS | ||
| 1 | Dylan Jacobs | 12 Sandburg High School | 14:23.00 | 1 | ||
| 2 | Logan Hall | 12 Arthur High School | 14:37.30 | -- | ||
| 3 | Zachary Kinne | 11 Neuqua Valley High School | 14:39.40 | 2 | ||
| 4 | Nick Laning | 12 Barrington High School | 14:46.90 | 3 | ||
| 5 | Jack Mcnabola | 12 F.W. Parker High School | 14:47.50 | -- | ||
Coach Paul Vandersteen remarked several weekends ago at the Hinsdale Invitational that #4 Wheaton-Warrenville South will be a greater team once they bring up sophomore David Keller to shore up a big hole in the #5 position. And he was correct. #2 Neuqua Valley was spread out from the start while the Tigers stayed intact. As for any coach it is always a concern when the team is not where they need to be during the middle portion of the race. But as they have been accustomed to doing, the Wildcats were able to capture clutch spots over the last mile. Kinne's third place finish was no doubt the saving grace for his team. The final result was a hard fought 112-119 victory. It may not have been the team's best effort of the season, it will do as they head to the ultra tough Culver Invite in Indiana next weekend.
Wheaton-Warrenville South nearly turned back Neuqua Valley's 51-second scoring split with a 28-second attack of their own. Give credit to a tough and hard charging youthful bunch that took a chance on the undercard. Zeller's 40th place in the scoring department is what the Tigers need. Whether or not Neuqua Valley was holding back, the message was sent by the Tigers that they will be heard loud and clear in November.
Hersey finished a very strong third solidifying their spot as the team to beat in the MSL. Sophomore Josh Methner led the way in 9th for the Huskies. They were able to run almost as well as Wheaton South in terms of pack play. Don't forget about St. Charles East and Plainfield South whose steady improvements have not gone unnoticed.
| TEAM SCORES | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLACE | TEAM | POINTS | SCORERS | TIMES | ||
| 1 | Neuqua Valley High School | 112 | 2+17+28+30+35 (55+116) | 0:51 1-5 Split | 15:14 Avg | ||
| 2 | Wheaton Warrenville South High School | 119 | 16+18+19+26+40 (89) | 0:28 1-5 Split | 15:18 Avg | ||
| 3 | Hersey High School | 125 | 7+14+25+32+47 (84+127) | 0:40 1-5 Split | 15:21 Avg | ||
| 4 | St. Charles East High School | 222 | 20+49+50+51+52 (62+203) | 0:32 1-5 Split | 15:37 Avg | ||
| 5 | Plainfield South High School | 281 | 15+39+45+76+106 (136+161) | 1:00 1-5 Split | 15:41 Avg | ||