Date: 11/9/2024
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Course: 3.0 miles
Race Time: 2pm; awards ceremony: 3pm at the Detweiller Park venue
Weather forecast: 52F, cloudy
The qualifying teams: #1 Downers Grove North, #2 Plainfield North, #3 Edwardsville, #4 Plainfield South, #5 Palatine Fremd, #6 Palatine, #7 Batavia, #8 Lake Zurich, #9 Winnetka (New Trier), #10 LaGrange (Lyons), #12 Orland Park (Sandburg), #13 Naperville (Neuqua Valley), #14 Mt. Prospect (Prospect), #15 New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central), #16 Chicago Lane, #18 Naperville North, #19 Barrington, #20 Libertyville, #21 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #25 Naperville Central, Berwyn-Cicero (Morton), Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), Oak Park-River Forest, O'Fallon, Quincy, Wheaton North, Yorkville
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DGN is ready to turn the party out
Defending champion #1 Downers Grove North could be in the midst of a dynasty even after graduating four of their top seven runners from a year ago. The Trojans seem like a tropical storm that turned into a hurricane, a Category 5 version, over the past few weeks. For example, DGN won the affair against #2 Plainfield North by just 10 points (45-55) at the Naperville Twilight Invite. However, it was a controlled win, with
Philip Cupial (Jr) and
Grant Schroder (Sr) going 1-2. They cruised to victory on a 45-second split.
The storm began to gather momentum at the West Suburban Silver Conference Championship. It was total domination against #11 Lyons 26-56. Also in that field was trophy-hopeful York and a few other states meet contenders.
The 38-112 beating the field took at the Hinsdale Sectional was even more pressing. All five scorers were in the top 25 on a 41-second split. It was the most lopsided victory of any sectional winner in the state.
Will Surratt (Jr) and
Brady Travers (Sr) make a formidable 3-4 combination.
Jack Loftus (Sr) appears to have solidified the fifth position.
Plainfield North could be the only team capable of defeating DGN, but it will take a Hecularian effort by all seven runners. Let's start with the Cats:
Thomas Czerwinski (Jr) and
Quinn Davis (Sr). They have been as rock solid as any duo in the state. They went 2-4 at the Normal Community Sectional and led the team to a decisive 60-93 victory over #4 Plainfield South. The scoring split was under 1:00, and that is the good news. As always, it will come down to how the scoring pack can move up during the race and close things out. North certainly has shown they are the second-best team in the state; it will now have to prove they can take things up another notch.
#3 Edwardsville had good momentum entering the crucial month of October after finishing second to Plainfield North at the Palatine Meet of Champions and winning the Peoria Invite to close things out. They cruised into the Normal Community Sectional but took third behind Plainfield South, just six points down without one of their main closers,
Colin Luitjohan (So). He sat out for unspecific reasons. They are going to need him on Saturday if they hope to make a run for a trophy. The Tigers ace Gavin Rodgers (Jr) has been as consistent as any team's top runner. He has placed in the top 10 of every race this season. He will need something similar on Saturday, followed by a strong presence from the team's scoring pack.
Plainfield South has been trending upward lately. Although they have lost to rival Plainfield North in the big meets, they have been semi-competitive. That means the Cougars can hold their own against anyone outside of the top two teams in the state.
Dylan Maloney (Sr) is one of the best runners in the state and a title contender, so he provides his guys with an excellent low-stick presence. How well the team's fifth runner can close things out will determine their fate on Saturday.
New Trier won the Hoffman Estates Sectional when no one expected that but themselves.
Ben Crane (Sr) and six other teammates were getting the job done collectively. They produced their best scoring split of the season in 1:09. Assuming Crane can run around 14:00, the fifth man only needs to go 15:09, and if that can happen, the Trevians will walk away from Detweiller with a trophy.
Some of the others to watch out for-
York won a deep and tough Lake Park Sectional, but which York team will show up? A possible top-five unit or one that could finish 15 is the question. Also, watch Batavia, Lake Zurich, Fremd, and Palatine for the top five hopefuls.
Ben Crane for president-
The consensus seems to be that Ben Crane will be the race winner. He has said, "I want to break 14:00," which is a dog whistle for a winning effort. As long as he does not get complacent, it will be Crane and everyone else behind him.
Dylan Maloney has consistently run in the 14:30s this year and is primed to run his best race on Saturday. He is in line to run about 14:10. That could win it or it might be a top three performance. It will depend on the weather and the pace of the race.
Joe Bregenzer (Sr., Barrington) has stepped up this year vs last year's disappointing finish to his cross country season. He took second at the Hoffman Estates Sectional in 14:25.
Jacob Barraza (Sr., Dekalb) won his first sectional title, a thriller over Josiah Narayanan (Sr., Wheaton South) at the Lake Park Sectional. With his mile speed, it is possible that he could run under 14:20.
Others to watch: Rory Gaan (Sr., Fremd), Philip Cupial, Grant Schroder, Zach Thoman (Sr., O'Fallon), Alexander Krieg (Jr., Palatine), Liam O'Connor (Sr., OPRF), Evan Parker (Sr., Niles North), Thomas Czerwinski, Quinn Davis, and Tommy Nitz (Sr., Huntley).
