First to the Finish Invitational 2014

Jesse Reiser continues to notch his name towards the top of the 3 mile all-time list with a 14:20. This time is already faster than his State performance last fall. He feels healthy, in shape and his confidence is growing. Consider how early it is in the season, how close to 14:00 can this guy get?

Coach Jim Westphal has been coaching the Hinsdale Central boys for about a decade and continues to see more and more success. After both the boys and girls programs won the Class AAA division, he discusses the origins of the guys program and shares insight on the powerful Hinsdale Central program as a whole, both guys and girls.

Skyler Bollinger looks to lead the Yorkville girls to their fourth state championship title in a row. That would be Bollinger's fourth as well. She got the win today, but knows there is much more to come.

Rockford Christian took home the Class A victory by a single point, 156-157, over Johnsburg. Under the leadership of Monkemeyer, they are shooting to leave Detweiller Park come State with some hardware.

Quite possibly the best 1-2 punch in the nation, twins Jake and Luke Hoffert of Yorkville, touch on the dynamic of being training partners and leading Yorkville back to a state title, which would be its third in four years.

Hinsdale Central girls had a tremendous day, besting US #6 Naperville North 63-122. The Naperville North girls explain how the competition only heightens their desire to win.

Fresh off her individual and team win, freshman Arielle Summit of Urbana University, gives us a little insight into what it is like being on top as only a freshman.

With extremely hot weather lately in landlocked Austin, B Miles and Jimmy begin to start wishing they lived closer to water to cool off as they look at the top national meets on tap located around some of the greatest bodies of water in the United States. 

We could not ask for a better day at beautiful Detweiller Park in Peoria. Sunny and 60 degrees with some showers the night before to soften the ground a bit is as ideal as it could get. That said, although 1A is obviously not the fastest division in Illinois, expect some already intense competition really get a boost in times from the weather.

‘Without a shadow of a doubt’… let’s repeat the set up again. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is going to be the race of the year classification wise prior to the state championship. Yes this is only one regular season invitational on the second weekend in September, but the implications moving forward after Saturday should tell a lot about the state of 2A cross country.

Last weekend at the Hinsdale Hornet-Devil Invitational, the competition and atmosphere was incredible and at a post-season fever pitch. It is hard to think anything can top that just a week later. Let’s go out on the limb and at least predict the level of production and excitement on all levels will be of equal proportions.

Here is your showguide to the 27th Annual First To The Finish Cross Country Invitational held at Detweiller Park in Peoria, IL

The nation's leader (14:53) preps for The First to the Finish tomorrow in Peoria, IL and Jimmy catches up with him about his outstanding early season performance, summer training, being a potential big name among the greats in Illinois, and much more. Jimmy takes Jesse on in a Skype Challenge as well!

Video interview with plenty of insight from Hinsdale Central (IL) boys coach Jim Westphal after his defending Illinois 3A state champion squad and US top 25 ranked squad put together an impressive team victory at the First to the Finish Invitational in Peoria on Saturday.

Led by race champion and sophomore Alexa Haff (16:41), the Hindale Central girls of Illinois are moving up the ladder in their state after defeating the #2 ranked AAA team in Naperville North and the rest of the quality field by a significant margin at the First to the Finish Invitational in Peoria on Saturday. Watch the AAA girls race video from First to the Finish.

In his first of three races at historic Detweiler Park in Peoria this fall including the state meet at season's end, US #9 ranked Jesse Reiser inched ever so closer to some of the all-time greats from the state of Illinois on the 3 mile course with his 14:20 win at the First to the Finish Invitational. Watch the entire AAA boys race video from the meet including Reiser's performance.