Class A boys race-high reel
Peoria, IL-
The preceding girls' race set the tone with fast times led by Lianna Surtz (So., Rosary) winning very easily in a good 16:41. Winnebago absolutely destroyed the team competition making them one of the top overall teams regardless of classification. So what would the boys do in their first turn of the day?
Apparently #8 Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) did not get the memo about not being invited to the party. This was a team picked to be among the top five candidates if they ran lights out. Running inspired led by Matthew Olech (Jr.) and his 16th place finish, he helped spawn a 35-sec scoring spread in which the Lions took second. It would be the team's second trophy in three years.
Top-ranked Monticello figured they would be challenged by #2 Stanford-Olympia for the crown. Also, the defending champs Clifton Central was lurking and Elmwood.
As it turned out and predicted, Monticello's top runners and pack got out fast to establish a theme that they would have to be run down if any team wanted the first place trophy. Luke Sokolowski (Jr.) led the paced his mates with a 4:45 opening mile. Two other Sages runners were under 5:00. They stayed ahead of the chasing armies through the second half.
Harvest Academy made a strong charge in the final mile but could not quite reel in Monticello. The final tally for the big trophy 115-121 over the Lions.
Stanford-Olympia took third with 127 points. The Trojans were paced by junior Charlie Kistner who placed 8th overall.
| 1 | Monticello High School | 115 | 6+17+23+32+37 (71+105) | 0:38 1-5 Split | 15:40 Avg | ||
| 2 | Harvest Christian Academy | 121 | 8+21+22+29+41 (74+125) | 0:35 1-5 Split | 15:42 Avg | ||
| 3 | Stanford Olympia High School | 127 | 4+20+24+34+45 (60+161) | 0:45 1-5 Split | 15:43 Avg | ||
| 4 | Central High School (Clifton) | 165 | 5+9+15+59+77 (112+130) | 1:18 1-5 Split | 15:48 Avg | ||
| 5 | Elmwood High School | 201 | 13+26+33+56+73 (75+81) | 1:06 1-5 Split | 15:58 Avg | ||
| 6 | Urbana University High School | 223 | 10+11+66+67+69 (99+118) | 1:04 1-5 Split | 16:01 Avg | ||
| 7 | Northridge Prep High School | 239 | 36+38+39+47+79 (107+141) | 0:41 1-5 Split | 16:05 Avg | ||
| 8 | El Paso-Gridley High School | 242 | 30+40+48+54+70 (86+120) | 0:36 1-5 Split | 16:08 Avg | ||
---------------
It was supposed to be the Dawson Smith (Sr., Rock Falls) storyline and his time to be a state champion. However, Drew Rogers (So., Herscher) had other ideas and joined Smith and several others at the first mile which was clocked around 4:42. Coming out of the "Bermuda Triangle" it was Rogers and Smith locked step for step. Earlier partygoer Noah McIntyre (Sr., Athens) slipped back due to the increased pace.
Rogers and ran away from the field at 2m (9:38). He built a seven-second margin on Smith followed by Miles Sheppard (So.. Hamilton), Finally, Rogers streamed home first in 14:30. Smith took second in 14:44
| 1 | Drew Rogers | 10 | Herscher High School | 14:30.50 | 1 | ||
| 2 | Dawson Smith | 12 | Rock Falls High School | 14:44.10 | 2 | ||
| 3 | Miles Sheppard | 10 | Hamilton-Warsaw- West Hancock HS | 14:53.70 | 0 | ||
| 4 | Noah Mcintyre | 12 | Athens Senior High School | 15:01.90 | 0 | ||
| 5 | Ryder James | 10 | Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School | 15:05.00 | 0 | ||
| 6 | Colby Johnson | 12 | DeeMack (Deercreek) High School | 15:10.60 | 3 | ||
| 7 | Tristan Olpin | 12 | Rockford Keith Country Day High School | 15:15.50 | 0 | ||
| 8 | Justin Mumford | 11 | Wesclin High School | 15:15.90 | 0 | ||
| 9 | Charlie Kistner | 11 | Stanford Olympia High School | 15:16.50 | 4 | ||
| 10 | Mari Anthony | 12 | Central High School (Clifton) | 15:16.70 | 5 | ||