Jon Davis ran out of real estate in capturing the Invite 3200 (Mary Ann Magnant photo)
Evening Invitational Session-
Lyons Twp is going to be a deadly force in the 4x8 during the state series with Andrew Best and Vince Zona already in tow. Now add Connor Madell (Sr., Lyons) who the seeded mile in the same fashion as Zona took his heat. Madell held strong against several dragons breathing down his back over the final 100 to clock 4:18.54 [68.5. 67.1, 64.0, 58.8].
The excitement of competing against US #1 senior Connor Dunne of San Clemente, CA had to excite Connor McCue (Sr., West Aurora). Dunne produced an amazing 4:04.59 in the mile several weeks ago. On this occasion in the rain the pace was much more tactical. Tactical races usually favor those with big kicks. Coincidentally Dunne was the national leader in the 800. The opening pace of 65 seconds had to make Dunne smile inside because he did not have to expend much energy until the final circuit. Dunne would pull away over the final 300 to win comfortably in 4:09.45. McCue on the other hand earned his keep being in the boss section. He ran an IL #1 4:13.14 [60.19 final lap] which turned out to be a school record.
The first of three 3200m sections (Rated) would take place. Danny Kilrea (So., Lyons) would be the first to take his shot at copping the state lead. Kilrea stayed intact the entire race using a first mile 4:39.54. The second was even better after a few earlier leaders began to fade. Kilrea dropped a 4:33 to run a personal best 9:12.90 and placed 4th overall... Scott Anderson (Sr., Neuqua Valley) ran a personal best 9:15.24. He hit the first mile in 4:38 which set up his great race. The same could be said for Soren Knudsen (Jr., Minooka) ran up front at times but ran even 4:39 mile splits... Jake McEneaney (Jr., Neuqua Valley) was sitting good in the pack at 4:39 for the first mile but something went wrong and he faded to 9:37.34
Connor Horn was devastated to learn that his cross country season was over last October when he was sidelined with an injury. The senior from Neuqua Valley knew he would have a senior track season to look forward to. He was able to rehab and get in top shape. Prior to the meet his coach Paul Vandersteen indicated his star pupil was in great shape. Horn did not disappoint the faithful. First, a 4:14 split for his team's 4x1600 was a sign of something big to come. Mr. Horn turned mixed in a steady diet of 67s and 68s and it added up to a personal best 9:09.27.... Jared Borowsky returned a short time later to complete a tough double in 9:21.77.
Invitational 3200 is where the distance runners shine bright-
The main event of the Arcadia Invite is the Invitational 3200. This event draws many of the top distance runners across the nation. Illinois is certainly no stranger here with a slew of the state's premier trackers competing. Jon Davis (Sr., Oakwood) had targeted this race for more than a year. He was able to get things in order to make the trip and go for a big personal best. And why not? He realizes he will not have the competition back home because he mostly competes against Class A foes. The Footlocker All-American had a goal to go under 9:00 and win it all just like future U of Illinois teammate Jesse Reiser did a year ago when he competed for McHenry.
The pace duties switched hands more than a few times in the early going and as customary over the past few years it was 9:00 style. But of course things got fast and runners began to string out. The Nike Cross Country Champion Casey Clinger of American Fork, UT was leading the charge. When Clinger started to open up a gap with a few laps to go it appeared as though he was going to repeat what he did in Portland. However, Davis got it going and with last burst stormed ahead to capture the win. He came up a little short and took second in 8:51.19. The big personal best fell short of Clinger's 8:50.70. "Give me 10 more meters and I have him," said Davis referring to beating Clinger... Blake Evertsen (Jr., Hinsdale Central) will be a force for sure in the WSC Silver this spring and a torch bearer next year as a senior. He clocked 9:06.36.
==========================================================================
Neuqua Valley closed the meet out with a #showstopping 3:23.39- season best and IL #3 mark.