Scouting Reports: O'Fallon Boys

Illinois XC 2012: Scouting Reports
Todd Grasley

The O'Fallon boys' cross country team saw a runner-up finish in 2011 falling short of champion Palatine by just six points. The Panthers lose their number three, four and five runners from that team, Jacob Becker who placed 34th at state, Nicholai Sappy (37th), and Kevin Lapp (68th.) Despite the loss of those three runners, Coach Jon Burnett says the team is looking pretty good and will be deeper than last year. This year's squad is led by senior Alex Riba. Riba placed 32nd in 2010 and second in 2011 with a personal best time for three miles of 14:27.00. He looks to be the top contender for the individual title after 2A returns just two of the top fifteen from last year. Scott Milling of York comes in with the second fastest time of 14:45.00.

Other returners from the 2011 runner-up team include sophomore Patrick Perrier who had a nice freshman campaign. Perrier ran a new personal best time of 14:57 to finish 22nd at state. He also had a successful outdoor track and field season running season best times of 9:22.55 for 3200 meters and 4:16.45 for 1600 meters. Juniors Brennan Koester and Steve Chorma, as well as sophomore Dorian Gordon look to round out the top five. Burnett says their are eight to nine runners all fighting to fill the last three spots in the top seven. New additions Spencer Phillips, a sophomore who played soccer last fall, ran 1:59 and 4:43 during track season. Incoming freshman Dustan Davidson also put up impressiev numbers on the track running 2:03 for 800 meters and 4:47 for 1600 meters as just as an eighth grader. Burnett and Davidson give the Panthers some much needed depth in a very competitive 2A.


 

Coach Burnett Says...

 


On August 18, the guys took to the course at City Park for the annual time trial and team picnic.  Senior Alex Riba (14:47) and junior Patrick Perrier (14:53) each shattered the course record (15:15 – Michael Scolarici, 2009).  Sophomore Dorrian Gordon (15:57) ran the 8th fastest OTHS time on the course. Romeo Scagliarini (16:41) ran the 5th fastest sophomore time in course history.  Logan Whorton (17:02) ran the 8th fastest sophomore time. Dustan Davidson (16:36) ran the 2nd fastest freshman time in the history of the course.  Bryson Hartmann (17:23) ran the 6th fastest freshman time. In all, ten runners broke 17:00 and twenty runners broke 18:00.  This is the deepest team I have ever been a part of at OTHS. 
"We set the same goals each season: try to win the St. Clair County Championship, the Southwestern Conference Championship, and qualify for the IHSA State Championship.  If we are fortunate enough to qualify for State, we try to place as high as we can. We like to think we have a chance at a trophy but there are a lot of teams that feel the same way that we do."

2012 Returner's Top Times

Three Mile (XC)  - 3A Ranking

 
O'Fallon High School 808
  1) Alex Riba   14:27.00 1
  2) Patrick Perrier   14:57.00 13
  3) Dorrian Gordon   15:35.00 82
  4) Brennan Koester   16:21.00 271
  5) Tyler Rowe   16:52.00 441
  Average Time: 15:38.40 -- Total Time: 1:18:12.00 -- 1-5 Split: 2:25.00
  6) Dan Goertzen   17:17.00 560
  7) Kyle Oldenburg   17:24.00 581
 

Boys 3200 Meter Run
9:21.75 Riba, Alex Belleville West Invitational 2012-04-06
9:22.55 Perrier, Patrick Winston Brown Invitational 2012-04-21
10:21.71 Wesslund, Evan Marion Freeman Invitational 2012-04-26
10:22.40 Becker, Jacob O'Fallon Relays 2012-03-30
 


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