3A Normal Community Sectional Recap

Brett Gardner felt the force of pal Jared Kreis during the final mile at Maxwell Park

VIDEOS I RESULTS

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Though it was the same course as the morning 2A Bloomington Sectional ran on, there were some obvious noticeable differences at Maxwell Park. It was a bit warmer than 9a as opposed to noon when the final race went off. That meant the terrain was more of a challenge for the boys' race. However, it didn't disappoint the faithful in attendance who seemed to care about their favorite athletes and teams. 

The girls race was a tale that could have been told beforehand as Yorkville dominated their competition on the team side and Helena Kleronomos of Yorkville had an excellent battle with Riley Knoyle of Edwardsville. Kleronomos started from the gun as if she was shot from a cannon with a good gap coming into the first mile at 5:41 with Knoyle following behind at 5:46. Really the whole Foxes group got out to fast start coming through in the 1-3-6-7-8-9-10 positions. Kleronomos came through the 2nd mile struggling a bit with her form starting to break up as it seemed as if the pace caught up to her coming through at 11:46 with Knoyle still five seconds behind her coming through at 11:51. However, Kleromonos was able to rite herself and show poise at the most stressful time and hold on for the photo finish win.

#4 Yorkville maintained a sizable lead throughout the meet and in the end was 1-4-5-9-11 for a score of 30 points. #22 Minooka, O'Fallon, Lincoln-Way Central, and Edwardsville rounded out the teams going to state. 

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From the gun, seniors Jared Kreis of Lincoln-Way Central and Brett Gardner of Lincoln-Way East both seemed as if they wanted to take Charlie Wetzel of Normal Community out of the race early coming through the first mile in a scorching 4:50. At this point, they appeared to break Wetzel who lingered momentarily a few seconds back. After he completely faded, it was time for Kreis to work on Gardner. They both hit the second mile in 9:40 looking solid. Shortly thereafter Kreis pushed the pace a bit which prompted Gardner to unceremoniously let off the gas and Kreis quickly moved on for the comfy win in  14:38.65. 

Minooka continues its outstanding season as they coasted to a team title. If the Indians can continue with another 31-second scoring split next weekend, there will be some pleasant surprises among their camp. In what supposed to be a rebuilding period, Yorkville grabs a tough ticket to state ahead of Lincoln-Way Central, Edwardsville, and Lincoln-Way East.