IL Girls, Boys Have Fun Winning NXN MW Team Titles

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RESULTS I VIDEOS I PHOTOS

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Terre Haute, IN-

For many athletes, it was fun in the sun and a good way to end the season on a high note. It was a more serious affair for others, like extending their seasons for several more weekends.

One team title was taken diplomatically, while another was annexed with authority. Either way, the Downers North girls and boys earned automatic bids to Portland, Oregon, for the Nike Cross National Championships on December 7.

Boys-

The gents kicked off what would be a more competitive race than some anticipated. Individually, a steller field included nationally ranked #6 Landon Kimmel (Jr., Tippecanoe, OH), #14 Sam Quagliaroli (Sr., Fishers, IN), Noah Bontrager (Jr., Westview, IN), and #22 TJ Hansen (Sr., Freeland, MI). Ben Crane (Sr., New Trier, IL) was not ranked but equally dangerous.

The weather was great, with sunny skies and the temperature in the mid-60s; it was more than enough generosity from Mother Nature. The race course was softer than normal this time of the year but firm enough for the competitors to put on a show.

It was a fast and furious start as several anxious runners bolted out in front of the favorites. The first kilometer at the famed Lavern-Gibson National Cross Country course churned out a 2:46. After the downhill was leveled out, the aforementioned group the first mile in 4:39-4:40.

The pace began to stall, but Crane led a close pack of about 20 boys. Among that group was Grant Schroder (senior, Downers Grove North). The Trojans were up big time at the halfway point.

The second mile hit in a modest 9:33. DGN was leading over Rockhurst, Missouri, 88-156, and Plainfield North, IL, was third. The race was about to begin.

It was not too long before the pack dwindled to half a dozen. Quagliaroli, Hansen, Bontrager, Crane, and Kimmel pulled away with less than a half-mile to go. 

Quagliaroli and Crane tugged back and forth over the final quarter-mile before Crane took the victory in a personal best 14:46. 

Downers Grove North repeated as team champions, but it wasn't even close. For the first time in a long time, the winning team had two finishers among the top 10 individually. The Trojans are poised to be among the best teams out of the Land of Lincoln. 

Rockhurst continues its dream season with a strong finish to take second. The Hawklets become the first team from Missouri to qualify for nationals in the Midwest Regional. In past years, they competed in the Heartland Region.

Plainfield North ran well but had to settle for third place. The 'Cats are worthy of an at-large selection based on their season resume. They have beaten a number of top regionally ranked teams throughout the season. 

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Girls-

Romeo, Michigan, York, IL, West Ottawa, MI, Carmel, IN, Downers Grove North, IL, Prospect IL, Ft. Wayne Concordia, IN and even a short-handed Barrington were teams to watch for the team title and automatic qualifying second spot.

Individually, some of the names to watch were Victoria Garces (Sr., Midland, MI), Libby Dowty (Jr., Indian Creek IN), Helen Sachs (Sr., Holland West Ottawa MI), Daniela Scheffler (Sr., Union Town, MI), and many more.

Sirois got out well and confidently with the leaders as they pushed toward the first mile in 5:15. Garces, Sirois, and Sundara Weber (Jr., Sandwich) were among the fray.

The pace was blistering and on record pace. But it will calm down. Barrington and Carmel were the teams in the Portland qualifying spots. 

Sirois pushed the pace with three other girls for the next two kilometers with Sachs, Mallory Weller (Jr., Ft. Wayne Concordia IN), and Garces.

The second mile was negotiated in 10:46, headed by Sirois. It was an honest pace.

It was a three girl race at 4K with Sirois, Sachs, and Garces. Garces looked like she was fading but holding on by a thread.

With just a quarter-mile remaining, Garces pulled into the lead over Sirois and began her final assault. It was her first and only lead of the race, a decisive one to the finish line. It was not a meet record but one of the fastest by Garces in 16:52.

As has been the case all season long, Downers Grove North moved up throughout the race and was sixth by the second mile.

Ultimately, the Trojans would take the title for the first time by a point over the favorites from Michigan. Alayna Todnem (Sr) led the way overall in 33rd place. This will be DGN's second trip to Portland in a row. Romeo will be the first Michigan team to go to nationals.