-SWSC Boys Highlight Reel-
RESULTS I VIDEOS
The action was red-hot on the Lockport HS cross country layout
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Lockport IL-
As a sports fan, you could smell the optimism in the air as soon as you arrived on the Lockport HS east campus. There were a number of activities going on such as band practice, football practice, soccer action, and of course the main event, a cross country meet slated to feature some of the top returning talent in the area and state.
The Southwest Suburban Conference (SWSC) put on a meet they called a "pre-season invite" scored as two divisions (red & blue) despite running combined. The host school Lockport unveiled a slightly new campus layout that met the approval of the fans, athletes, and coaches. The digs featured mainly on a golf course but encompassed a great portion of the campus, and also featured inclines and 90-degree turns for those who treasured geometry.
The first of four races started with the frosh girls and immediately freshman Nora Defrank of Lincoln-Way East bolted into the lead. Though she was moderately pressed at times, the victory was imminent in 21:02. Sophomore Paige Swaw of Tinley Park Andrew took second in 21:08.
The frosh boys race went out just as commanding as sophomore Luke Atzman of Sandburg opened up a sizable lead early, and by the second mile (11:18), it was all over. Atzman would trot home in 17:08, more than 20 seconds ahead of sophomore Braden Hoff of Lincoln-Way who ran 17:31.
In the varsity girls race, all eyes were on Caroline Schoen of Homewood-Flossmoor. The senior star would be making her season debut and first race since April. As with the other two races, Schoen followed suit by thrusting herself well ahead of the field. She was able to navigate through a smooth first mile under 6:00. Soon after, it was a freshman from Sandburg named Lindsey Gerhardstein that made things at the second mile. Schoen's once comfortable lead was just two seconds: 12:16-12:18. However, the veteran put on a surge over the next half-mile and opened up a seven-second lead that wore down Gerhardstein. Schoen would win in 18:30 vs 18:44 for the upstart youngster.
The final race of the day pitted defending 3A state champion #19 Sandburg. The Eagles will be a team that most fans and pundits alike will keep an eye on this season. As predicted, holdovers senior Trent Anderson and junior Grant Giblin dashed to the front of the pack to set the early pace. After the first mile, Anderson was solo and seemingly in control. He hit the second mile in 10:36, but a stream of runners joined in, notably junior Vincent De Farno of Bolingbrook. The lead was less than seconds for Anderson and by the 4K, they were even. In the end, De Farno's finishing sprint gave him the edge 16:05.7-16:05.9. The Eagles won overall but they were awarded the Blue Division with 46 points to 50 points for Bolingbrook.