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Lake Park HS; Roselle IL-
On a symbolic day in terms of this country's remembrance of 9/11/2001, the fans, coaches, and athletes showed their appreciation with a moment of silence just before the start of the first race at 8:30am.
The boys junior/senior race kicked things off as Mark Hasbrouck of Wheaton-Warrenville South won in 16:34. Chicago Jones would take the team title with 49 points.
Because of possible heat advisory issues, the main event girls varsity race followed in anticipation of #1 Elmhurst York. Though we are talking 3A, they are classified as the best overall team in the state. Quickly, the Lady Dukes got out front with six girls among the top dozen through the first mile (all under 5:45). Bella Dicrosta (Sr., St. Charles North) was clocked in 5:32.
Grace Schager (Jr., Glenbard North) stayed with the leaders earlier on, now emerged, and had a few steps on Audrey Allman (Sr., Glenbard West) as they approached the second mile. After them was a swarm of Lady Dukesters. Schager was around 11:25 and began to surge up the final incline to distance herself from Allman.#4 Prospect appeared to still hold down the second spot while a surprising unranked Maine South moved into a fight with St. Charles East for one of the top trophies to be presented after the meet.
Schager entered the final 300m of the race and onto the track in full control. She would cover the final distance in less than a minute and clock the state's top time- 16:57. Allman's strong kick propelled her in 17:12. It was nearly her lifetime best and still ahead of the vaulted York trio of Katelyn Winton (Sr), Katherine Klimek (So), and Briana Bennis (Jr). Their respective times 17:26, 17:30, and 17:30 was more than enough to stop any late attack from Prospect. In fact, six of the top seven Dukes were in the top 20. Top runner Brooke Berger (Jr) did not even finish among the scorers as she was the sixth runner. However, had she been on another squad, she would have scored as the #2 runner aside from Prospect.
| PLACE | TEAM | POINTS | SCORERS | TIMES | ||
| 1 | York High School | 35 | 2+3+4+11+15 (19+45) | 0:42 1-5 Split | 17:41 Avg | ||
| 2 | Prospect High School | 78 | 7+8+14+16+33 (39+44) | 1:15 1-5 Split | 18:08 Avg | ||
| 3 | Maine South High School | 109 | 9+22+23+27+28 (47+58) | 1:01 1-5 Split | 18:31 Avg | ||
| 4 | St. Charles East High School | 135 | 17+20+21+36+41 (43+61) | 0:46 1-5 Split | 18:45 Avg | ||
| 5 | Downers Grove North High School | 136 | 18+26+29+31+32 (38+49) | 0:29 1-5 Split | 18:48 Avg | ||
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The boys varsity race was supposed to be a closer affair than anyone could anticipate. The key reason is that #11 Wheaton-Warrenville South and #15 St. Charles East has two of the best programs in the state over the past five years and they have staged some classic battles. While both teams have graduated many outstanding performers, there are still some familiar faces to be aware of. Micah Wilson (Sr., St. Charles East) is one of the state's elite runners and he has. Wheaton-Warrenville South top man senior Michael Atkins has been on or around several state trophy teams and that experience would come into play today.
As soon as the gun went off, both squads moved right to the front without hesitation. It was a sea of orange and black and Wilson was leading the herd. As the runners meandered around the Lancer's east campus course, Wilson, Atkins, Hunter Whitney (Jr., Chicago Lane Tech), and Ryan Zydek (Sr., Wheaton North) was upfront. The first mile was fast in 4:46-4:48 for the quartet. There were about 30 more under the 5:00 mark which could bode well for anyone looking to run an early season personal best.
St. Charles East, Wheaton South, and Wheaton North had front runners near the front. Chicago city powers Jones and Lane Tech had strong numbers too and were ready for the second-mile battle.
Wilson made his move up the north incline and that seemed to open a gap on Atkins, Whitney, and Zydek. At two miles, it was Wilson with a sizable advantage as he passed the checkpoint in 9:55. All four were on an island and had no assistance from teammates. However, the Saints did appear to have the team battle in hand over Wheaton South.
Wilson entered the track with a commanding lead and strode home in what seemed like a third gear, crossing in 14:52. Atkins also broke 15:00 with a time of 14:58. Whitney struck a new personal best of 15:14. He was ahead of Carter Eid (Sr., Bartlett) who caught Zydek to run 15:23.
The Saints coach Chris Bosworth was content with the way that his team performed, especially at the back end of the scoring. He believes there is more work to do, but things are heading in the right direction.
| TEAM SCORES | ||||||
| PLACE | TEAM | POINTS | SCORERS | TIMES | ||
| 1 | St. Charles East High School | 54 | 1+6+8+15+24 (33+35) | 1:23 1-5 Split | 15:38 Avg | ||
| 2 | Wheaton Warrenville South High School | 71 | 2+10+13+19+27 | 1:19 1-5 Split | 15:49 Avg | ||
| 3 | Jones College Prep | 107 | 12+17+23+26+29 (31+49) | 0:28 1-5 Split | 16:08 Avg | ||
| 4 | Lane Tech High School | 111 | 3+14+28+32+34 (38+46) | 1:19 1-5 Split | 16:05 Avg | ||
| 5 | Wheaton North High School | 118 | 5+7+9+47+50 (55+56) | 1:31 1-5 Split | 16:07 Avg | ||