MileSplit IL Awards: Boys 5th Runner Of The Year

This scene from the Naperville Twilight Invitational was reminiscent of Downers Grove North's front-running success.

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WILL SURRATT

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Sometimes, the most underrated runners on a cross country team are the guys who close out races. In this case, Will Surratt came of age late in the season as Downers Grove North's fifth runner. As with most promising freshmen entering their sophomore season, the goal usually is to make the varsity unit and hopefully be in the running for the post-season.

Surratt came into the cross country season after dropping some great times on the track: 3200 (9:56), 1600 (4:31), and 800 (2:02). In his first big invite performance at the First To The Finish Invitational, Surratt performed admirably and finished as the seventh runner with a then personal best 15:25. As the season progressed, Surratt settled into the varsity top group which eventually led to him locking up the closer role- the fifth man. 

At the 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional and the IHSA State Championship, Surratt performed admirably, to his maximum capability; the latter was a near all-state performance, clocking 14:52 for 30th place. More importantly, the Trojans sealed their second team title, scoring a scant 79 points. Surratt was rewarded with solid performances at the Midwest Nike Cross Regionals and the Nike Cross Cross Nationals. "Will was solid all year from [the outdoor season to the cross country] season," said assistant coach Andrew Adelmann. " He really developed as a racer and was a lot of fun to watch. [Will] raced with a level of confident patience that was impressive for a sophomore and made him super tough at the end of races."

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Honorable mentions: Xander Neamtu (Jr., Tuscola), Cade Parks (Sr., Marion)