It was a very intense situation at the Hinsdale Hornet-Devil Invitational
Tonyprepster's meet breakdown
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Hinsdale IL-
It was an almost surreal morning as the cross country fans approached the Katherine Legge Memorial (KLM) Park. It had been two years since the last cross country race was conducted there.
Traditionally and unofficially, Labor Day weekend signifies the wide opening of the harrier season in this state. It so happens that good action was guaranteed from around all parts of Chicagoland.
The very first race of the day was the varsity boys and immediately it went out at a temperate pace (5:02). Parker Nold and Alex Das of Oswego East led the first mile with Daniel Watcke of Hinsdale Central and Mason Krieg of Palatine in 5:02. Watcke, Nold, Das, and several others hit the second mile in approximately 10:09. Watcke pulled away with less than 100m to go to win in 15:00. Nold was second in 15:01, Das 15:03, Krieg 15:04, and Michael Atkins closed out the top five with a 15:12 clocking.
Hinsdale Central took their first title since 2014 by tallying 62 points. New Trier without top man Nick Falk took second 109, Neuqua Valley 137, Palatine 150, Wheaton-Warrenville South 157.
The varsity girls race was the first on the agenda and it was off and running under overcast skies. Right away Ava Parekh of Chicago Latin bolted to the lead and disappeared under the veil of backside wooded area in the first half-mile. Already 10+ seconds ahead of the chasers, Parekh was 5:36 at the first mile. She was over 20 seconds at the second mile in 11:30. The final damage was a 17:08.9 winner. It is the seventh-fastest time in meet history. Audrey Allman of Glenbard West took second in 17:40, 15 seconds better than Catie McCabe at 17:55. Hailey Erickson of Prospect was fourth in 17:56. Beatrix Gilson of New Trier rounded out the top five with a time of 17:57.
Minooka won a close on over Prospect 102-106. Naperville Central took down New Trier 116 to 119. Glenbard West finished with 126 points.
The undercard races were exciting. Latin freshman Mia Kotler won the frosh-soph girls contest easily in 17:40. The highly touted Kotler is eager to start her varsity career next weekend in Peoria. Latin boys freshman Ben Gibson took the frosh 1.93 mile race title in 9:59.
*STAY TUNED FOR THE FULL RECAP OF THE MEET REAL SOON!