2A Boys Wrap Up: Fierce Action Abounds For The Winners


The full clip is loaded here: 2A boys highlights

Peoria IL- 

The action continued to heat up with the preceding girls' individual race almost providing a showstopper of sorts with freshman Tatum David of Olney Richland County setting a classification record at Detweiller Park. This race was expected to be much closer than many people think between Kaneland and Dixon.

 #1 Kaneland got everything they expected from Dixon in a hard-fought victory 74-95.
Both teams but mainly Dixon struck in the early going putting their top runners Brock Drengenberg (Jr.) and Christian Seagren (Sr.) at forefront of attention.

Likewise, and soon after the first mile, four of the Knights responded in the back loop led by Austin Adams (Sr.). It was a battle of strategically placed racing that Kaneland won because of a vastly superior fifth man. They would also close things out with four runners inside the top 15 and that was the difference. 

Chicago St. Ignatius worked very hard to keep themselves in the trophy and thanks to a superb effort by all five runners, led by Jacob Flynn's (Sr.) 17th place, the Wolfpack was able to match the upper pack racing and closing on a 41-second spread to earn the team's first state trophy under coach Ed Ernst.
1Kaneland High School745+10+12+13+34 (40+63)0:41 1-5 Split | 15:28 Avg
2Dixon High School953+6+18+20+48 (102+137)1:05 1-5 Split | 15:31 Avg
3St. Ignatius College Prep High School1419+21+22+43+46 (49+82)0:41 1-5 Split | 15:46 Avg
4Morton High School1861+27+38+45+75 (155+173)1:31 1-5 Split | 15:47 Avg
5Sycamore High School23715+23+54+62+83 (105+175)0:50 1-5 Split | 16:00 Avg
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The individual field was the least competitive in terms of talent among the three classes. There were only four runners who broke 15:00 on the day. In addition to the lack of depth, it took only 15:31 to earn all-state honors. But perhaps, it meant there would be some drama and cinematic acts to follow. This provided an unknown assailant Craig Hundley (Sr., Grayslake Central) to take charge opening the first mile in 4:46. Hundley continued to lead as the race entered the "Bermuda Triangle." But that would change soon thereafter.

The pre-meet favorite Sam Lange (Sr., Morton) took over a slight lead with Charlie Smith (Sr., Antioch) trailing him. During the fierce battle were several physical tangles that included tripping, spiking, elbowing- items that are usually attributed with cross country racing. The highlight of the battle was Smith inadvertently pushing Lange and he nearly falling flat on his face near the 1.75-mile mark.

Lange tried to distance himself from Smith with no success. Both runners hit the second mile in 9:46. At 2.5 miles, Anthony Farmer (Sr., Burlington Central) joined the duo.

Smith finally had enough and used his 4:15 mile speed and put away the pair to win the heavyweight fight complete with blood and cuts on his shin over Lange 14:46-49. Farmer held on for third in 14:50.

1Charlie Smith12Antioch High School14:46.500
2Sam Lange12Morton High School14:49.101
3Anthony Farmer12Burlington Central High School14:50.102
4Brock Drengenberg11Dixon High School14:58.803
5Craig Hundley12Grayslake Central High School15:05.000
6Dan Weizeorick12Wheaton St. Francis High School15:07.204
7Wilson Georges10Limestone High School15:09.700
8Austin Adams12Kaneland High School15:10.605
9Christian Seagren12Dixon High School15:12.206
10Chris Cherry11Taylorville High School15:12.300