The pre-game was intense and building into something that a lot of fans was looking forward to. Jon Davis (Sr., Oakwood) is becoming a national star, a state icon in the making if you will. He is one of the reasons that many fans far and wide made the trip to Palatine.
It was hard to tell what kind of pace the runners were on a few minutes after the race got underway. It wasn't until after the first kilometer in about 2:55 or so that the pace was normal. Indeed, the leaders hit the first in 4:49. Davis was in tow with Jared Borowsky (Sr., Stevenson), Evertsen, Michael Handorf (Sr., McHenry), Brian Griffith (Jr., Lake Zurich), Pereira and more.
The same group stayed intact as the race switched over to the side of the park and back toward the main drag. But at 2m, it was Davis who appeared the most relaxed. "I wanted to see what these wanted to do for two miles," said Davis of the conservative pace that hit 9:56. Evertsen, Pereira, Josh Derrick (Sr., New Trier), and Filip Pajak (Jr., Prairie Ridge) were within a second or two. Dan Santino (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius) led the second group at 10:00.
At 4k, the race came down to three guys: Davis, Pajak, and Evertsen. Davis seemed like he was toying with his company. The rest of the group who had been company had spread out over the landscape.
Davis has tremendous closing speed and those running at his pace are going to have to learn that. He took flight with about 600m to go and it was over. He emerged over the top of the incline with less than 200m to go solo and cruise through the finish chute in 14:41. Evertsen checked in a few ticks later in 14:45. A surprising Pajak took second in 14:48- a sizable personal best for him and someone that Class 2A better watch out for next month. Pereira held off Santino to close out the top five.
Davis used this race to tune up for the IHSA post-season that should be a piece of cake. He is looking forward to the journey to NXN and Footlocker Nationals. He is going to have a nice fan base riding the coat tails with him for sure.
Jon Davis interview-