Jones College Prep Boys Stops Whitney Young CPS Streak

Washington Park; Chicago-

"All good things come to an end" a popular cliche' signaling the cutting off of the Whitney Young gravy train. It was supposed to have happened last year when a rising Jones College Prep corps was favored to win the CPS Title. Coach Billy Poole Harris' bunch had other ideas in prevailing 39-41. Graduated from the Dolphins program is some serious firepower over the years- one name known as Clayton Mendez finally off to Stanford University. But the remains of seniors Sam Rivera and Charlie Nevins still lurked. Both have all-state credentials on their resumes.

Would the team fate slip away from Jones again? How about the emerging Lane Tech crew who are finally back in the title discussion after a few years of rebuilding?

Rivera quickly opened up a sizable lead on the field as he sped through the first half mile in 2:18. Nevins followed on his own island and then it was a sea of Myrtle & Gold and Blue as far as the eye could see. Rivera and Nevins were given the green light to go 1-2. The team race was going to be won in a pack style format. Jones and Lane Tech along with some Dolphin runners remain intact for nearly two miles.

As Rivera began to slow substantially from a blistering pace, he was able to still hit a nice 9:45 through two miles. From a naked eye, it appeared as though Jones had the advantage with all five scorers together and the sixth not too far behind.

Rivera would keep the Dolphins individual title streak alive for the third straight season with an easy 15:05 victory. Nevins held on for second in 15:31. Julian Higueros of Lane Tech produced the team's main highlight with a third-place time of 15:39. Lake View's Ethan Breen was fourth in 15:46. It would be a stream of Eagle runners coming home in 5th through 7th spots led by Anthony Maida, AJ Fundator, and Ryan Desantis. The final verdict was a role-reversing 38-41 nail-biter by Jones.