Gavin Genisio of Benton went coast to coast from the start of the academic calendar to the end, winning titles in cross country and on the track.
High school sports are 360 degrees in nature--a full circle. Most long-distance runners begin their quest during the early months of summer training for cross country. The three months of training that kids put in are an attempt to run in the state championship in November. For the few lucky ones, they will go on and compete in Nike Cross Nationals, Foot Locker, or some other post-season meet.
But the entire school calendar has been lost in the sauce, which runs through the winter indoor campaign and back to the all-important outdoor track and field season. We wanted to chronicle the very beginning and end. Athletes get lazy after cross country or get hurt. Some play other spring sports like lacrosse, club soccer, baseball, 7-on-7 football, etc.
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1. Gavin Genisio (Sr., Benton) 14:12.56- Competed in 2A: 1600m state champion, 4:07.25i mile- personal best; anchored 4th place 4x800 relay; Two-Mile (9:05.01i PB); 800m (1:52.99 PB)
2. Isaac Teel (Sr., Pinckneyville) 14:29.39- Competed in the state 400m prelims (20th place- 51.37)
3. Jackson Barrett (Sr., Tuscola) 14:40.55- 3200m state runner up, 9:07.40 PB; 4th pl/1600m, 4:18.41 PB
4. Gabriel McLain (Jr., Benton) 14:45.08- Competed in 2A: ran on 4th pl 4x800; 3rd pl/1600 (4:15.63 PB); 3200 (9:09.71 PB)
5. Isaiah Hill (Sr., Elmwood) 14:48.95- 1600m state champion (4:17.02); 800m runner up, 1:52.76 PB
6. Will Foltz (Sr., Tuscola) 14:51.24- 3200m state champion, 9:09.66 PB; 8th pl/800, 1:56.62 PB; 1600 (4:16.48 PB)
7. Nicolai Martino (Jr., Winnebago) 14:57.55- 1600m state runner up (4:18.13 PB)
8. Patrick Hilby (Sr., Aurora [Central Catholic]) 15:03.08- Competed in 2A: 800m state champion, 1:49.47i PB; 400m state champion, 47.54 PB; 4:10.10y PB; 4x400/3rd place
9. Carson Maroon (Sr., St. Joe-Ogden) 15:06.55- Competed in 2A: ran in 4x800 prelims; 1600 (4:18.53)
10. Josiah Hortin (Sr., Tuscola) 15:08.18- 800m state champion (1:51.98 PB); 3rd pl/1600, 4:12.16 PB; 3200 (9:05.86 PB)
11. Weston Forward (Sr., Rockford Christian) 15:09.87- Ran on state runner-up 4x800; 9th pl/3200m
12. Will Fuson (So., Cerro Gordo-Bement) 15:12.10- 6th pl/800m (1:56.89 PB); 6th pl/1600m
13. Cole Buchanan (Jr., Benton) 15:13.04- Competed in 2A: ran on 4th pl/4x800
14. Andrew Kurien (Jr., Rockford Christian) 15:15.45- Ran on state runner-up 4x800; 14th pl/800 prelims
15. Camden Quarton (Sr., Litchfield) 15:15.66- Competed in 4x800 prelims; 33rd/800 prelims
16. Dean Witzig (Sr., El Paso-Gridley) 15:15.88- 4th place/3200; 9th pl/1600
17. Brady Kataoka (Sr., Niles Northridge Prep) 15:16.39- Did not compete in IHSA track and field
18. Elijah Teefey (So., Pleasant Plains) 15:20.73- ran on 3rd place 4x800; 8th pl/1600m
19. Cayton Cratch (Sr., Steeleville) 15:20.91- 3rd pl/800m (1:56.12 PB); 36th pl/1600 prelims
20. Max Kirby (Fr., Peoria Notre Dame) 15:21.30- Competed in 2A: 13th pl/3200m
21. Chaz Oberkfell (So., Gillespie) 15:21.43- 7th pl/1600m
22. Aden Armstrong (Sr., St. Joe-Ogden) 15:21.73- Competed in 2A: ran in 4x800 prelims
23. Joe Ehrhart (Sr., Peoria Notre Dame) 15:22.15- Competed in 2A state prelim 4x800
24. Isaac Crumrine (Sr., Riverton) 15:22.21- 7th pl/800m; 16th pl/1600m prelims
25. JJ Gonnam (Sr., Elgin Harvest Christian Academy) 15:26.05- 5th pl/3200m; 26th pl/1600m prelims