The smiley Eagles quartet that won the state 4x800m relay features twins Sean and Chris Torpy. 6 of the top 7 runners are back for more in cross country (Colin Boyle photo)
Coach: John O’Malley
Last Year’s Finish: State Runner-up; 15th- Nike Cross Nationals
Impact Runners:
Tom Brennan (Sr.): (14:49,9:34,4:20,2:00)
Chris Torpy (Sr.): (14:55,9:32,4:15,1:52)
Sean Torpy (Sr.): (14:53,9:19,4:13,1:55)
Max Lehnhardt (Sr.): (15:00,9:38,4:21)
Martin Skucas (Jr.): (15:04,9:44,4:25)
Brandon Lukas (Sr.): (15:01,9:44,4:24,1:58)
David Gleisner (Sr.): (15:37,9:27,4:26)
Dan Laskero (Sr.): (15:35,9:30,4:39)
Ray's outlook: To those who follow cross country in Illinois, the ranking of Sandburg first overall in the state should come as no surprise. The Eagle’s track season last year was the stuff of legends, as they ran 11 returning runners under 10:10 in the 3200m and 10 under 10:00, as well as seven guys faster than 4:26 in the 1600. All of these runners return and seek to improve on their disappointing second place finish at the hands of the repeating state champion Hinsdale Central. The depth for this team is just absolutely mind-blowing, so I am just going to name runners who will be competing for an All-State spot this fall. Tom Brennan, Chris Torpy, Sean Torpy, Max Lehnhardt, Martin Skucas, Brandon Lukas, David Gleisner and Dan Laskero all have proven to compete at a level as high as any other runner in the state. Coach John O’Malley has a more holistic take on his roster: “I have no clue and no interest in who will be our top 7. We’re very focused on maximizing every runner’s potential and the runners are focused on getting better every day, every minute, until their season is over, almost like a horse with blinders.”
The incredible pack mentality of Sandburg has created a culture that produces teams like this one, and that is why Sandburg is clearly the favorite to win the state championship entering the season. Coach O’Malley: “We focus on process goals primarily and don’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We are focused on what’s going on internally. Our focus mainly right now is on being relentless, understanding our self-talk, determining our own psychological environments, brushing off self-imposed limitations, disallowing excuses, enjoying every day we have together and to find greater purposes to our running other than ourselves. Outcome goals help motivate us to focus on what it takes internally to achieve those goals. Outcome goals inspire and allows us to daydream, but the focus always returns to the process. We want to enter every race with the belief that we can win, and although we can't always control the outcome, we want to have true belief at the starting line.”
9:19/4:13 runner Sean Torpy states: “We’re focused on the process of the season and trying to keep our goals in mind in doing so. We’d like to win the state title this year. That would be our biggest goal.”