Gordy Libby and Karanveer Patil shine bright at the 2025 Detweiller At Dark HS Sweepstakes (Andrew Brown photo)
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Peoria, IL-
The meet directors knew Mother Nature was going to dump her fury onto the fabled grounds of Detweiller Park. Thus, the Detweiller at Dark meet officials moved up the start of the high school races approximately 15 minutes ahead of the initially slated times. Unfortunately, the high school girls were halted by lightning strikes and later a thunderstorm to top things off.
Prior to the main events, the undercard races provided some excitement. Former Oswego East HS standout, by way of Bradley University, Parker Nold, won the men's open race in 14:48. Nicole Benson, formerly of Limestone HS/Bradley University, took home women's open honors in 18:17.
Molly Mocko, the super-talented middle-schooler and soon-to-be eighth grader from Glen Ellyn, won the junior high girls race (2.1 miles) in 12:02.
Bentlee Lawrenz of Rock Falls won the boys junior high race by 13 seconds with a time of 11:07.
Girls-
After nearly an hour delay due to a passing thunderstorm, the girls' race quickly got underway. Under a cover of darkness on parts of the course, Klarke Goranson of Manteno emerged into the lead and posted a three-second advantage on the field through the first mile in 5:38.
The course appeared waterlogged in a few spots, which enabled Mary McKenzie of St. Louis, MO, and Molly Robertson of Carterville to close the gap at the second mile. All three crossed at 11:46.
Robertson would gain separation over the final half mile and strode home for the win in 17:47. Robertson is a newly graduated high school student and headed to Murray State University.
Boys-
The boys' field was littered with quality performers, but with the "Detweiller Curse" always in the air, it was hard to say what kind of effort the fans would get.
The opening mile was in a modest 4:53, and it contained the Lake Zurich duo Karanveer Patil and Gordy Libby in the mix.
By the second mile, they both were in position to strike for the win with a mile remaining.
Libby would charge ahead of Patil in the final meters to win 15:04.1-15:04.5. Both of them appear to be a formidable pair with the season on the horizon.
