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2017 IHSA State Cross Country Championships - 3A Boys PreviewPublished by
By Michael Newman
The final act of this play called the IHSA State Cross Country Championships will begin when the gun goes off around 2 p.m. There are two epic storylines to watch in this race. It is a tale of two races. The hype of this individual race between Sandburg’s Dylan Jacobs and Lyons Township’s Danny Kilrea started early in September at the First to the Finish Invitational on this course. Kilrea ran away with the race just after mile, running solo the final two miles crossing the line in 14:02. It was then Jacobs' turn. He was only three seconds off Kilrea’s pace at the Richard Spring Invitational two weeks later at the 2-mile mark. The warm late summer weather hit Jacobs hard as he crossed the line in 14:23. Two weeks later at the Peoria Invitational, Jacobs bettered his time and that of Kilrea's. Jacobs ran the fastest time ever in a meet during the regular season and the fifth fastest ever when he crossed the line in 13:57.5. Let the hype begin. When you have two times that fast during the regular season, the discussion must begin whether either of these runners can approach the 13:50.6 State Meet and course record that Craig Virgin set 45 years ago in the 1972 State Meet. It needs to be discussed even more since both times run by Jacobs and Kilrea were run solo as the two really were by themselves. It makes the idea of running that time possible. There is one positive in getting close to the record. Both runners like to push the pace from the gun. Jacobs went through 2 miles in 9:11 in the end of September race. Kilrea’s workmanlike manner of racing should have him close to Jacobs at that point. The two runners faced off last week at the Hinsdale Central Sectional. Jacobs bolted to the lead at the start opening an early three second lead on Kilrea. It was a deficit that Kilrea could never make up as Jacobs ran 14:39 to Kilrea’s 14:47. All cards may not have been put down on the table in this race. Kilrea knows what he needs to do. The same holds true to for Jacobs. The one possible negative to a record run could be course conditions. The park is no longer dry and hard like it was during the invitational races. In the past month, rain has hit the course softened it up. Temperatures should be in the 60s and there is a chance of rain. If there is rain, there will be five other races before this epic battle. Those factors make it tough to think that we will see a record broken. At the same time, when you have Jacobs and Kilrea pushing each other we could see a time that gets close (or even better) to the 13:50.6 time that refuses to be broken. There will be more than two runners in this race. Tommy Brady of Maine South ran 14:31 in the Peoria race and will be near the front. Clayton Mendez of Whitney Young looked good in defeating Brady in last week’s Lake Park Sectional and should be near the front. Zach Kinne of Neuqua Valley and Thomas Shilgalis of Naperville Central will be runners to watch in the front along with Josh Rodgers of Geneva, Brandon Christopher of Maine South, Andrew O’Keefe of Granite City, Nick Laning of Barrington, Alex Tam of Libertyville, Rory Cavan of Glenbard West, and Zach Albrecht of Jacobs. ~~~ The team race should be just as exciting. When the two teams faced a month ago at the Naperville Twilight Invitational, it was Downers Grove North edging Neuqua Valley by just one point. It should be just as close in this race. Both teams have exhibited tight pack races in their state series races. Both teams are a step ahead of the 23 other teams in this field. Both teams could be separated by eight points or less if they run their races to plan. It could be a toss-up on who also leaves Detweiller Park with a trophy. Glenbard West looked strong in winning the Lake Park Sectional ahead of Wheaton-Warrenville South who will also be in contention. Hersey, Lyons Township, and Hinsdale Central are teams next in line with York and Downers Grove South possible surprises.
Here is a look at the 25 teams that will take to the line Saturday at Detweiller Park.
Other previews – 1A Girls | 1A Boys | 2A Girls | 2A Boys | 3A Girls
Downers Grove North ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 1
Notes – The Trojans entered the season as the 3A team to beat. They looked human early in the seasons as injuries and illnesses slowed the team down. After the Naperville Twilight meet, Downers Grove North looked like the team they were projected to be on paper before the start of the season. Their split dropped from 25 seconds on their top five runners down to 16 seconds in their past two meets. It could be tough to stop their pack at Detweiller if they continue to run their same race. Jacob Ridderhoff has been the team’s top runner and should be among the top ten on Saturday. Teammates Jack Roberts, Nick Chudzik, and Ryan Birkmeier could all be in the top 25. To be on the cautious side, 5 runners in the top 40 could be possible. Keeping a split under 20 seconds on five could make this team tough to catch.
Naperville Neuqua Valley ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 2
Notes – The one team to get close to Downers Grove North has been this squad. The Wildcats were within one point of the Trojans at the Naperville Twilight Invitational. Neuqua easily won the Waubonsie Valley Sectional without their top runner Zach Kinne who was rested in this meet. Finishing in the top five is possible for this junior. The only way to beat Downers Grove North is to out pack them. Neuqua Valley does that well as it showed at Twilight. In the past three races that Kinne has been in the lineup, their split on five has averaged 38 seconds. Their split from two to five in those races has averaged only 24 seconds. Ryan Kennedy could be in the top 15 in this race. Their key is getting four runners in before North’s fourth runner, and six runners in before the fifth of the Trojans. This team knows how to pack run. We could see an example of that on Saturday.
Glen Ellyn Glenbard West ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 7
Notes – The Hilltoppers have come on string their past two races after a sub-par performance at the WSC-Silver race when they finished fifth. Glenbard West had their top line-up together and it produced a sectional win at the Lake Park Sectional placing 5 runners in the top 20 with only a 27 second split. That formula could get them into the trophy hunt. Rory Cavan and Stephen Moody have powered the Hilltoppers with Cavan able to finish in the top 10 and Moody possibly in the top 20. Will O’Brien is the key for this team. After missing the regional race and West finishing second to Wheaton-Warrenville South, O’Brien came back as the team’s third runner. The split on their top 5 in the previous three meets has been 60 seconds at Twilight, 53 seconds at WSC-Silver, and 49 seconds at the Wheaton North Regional. If they can keep their split close to what they ran last week, West could be a lock for a trophy. If it goes back up, that spot could be wide-open. They will need to have 5 runners in the first 52 team places.
Wheaton-Warrenville South ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 3
Notes – The Tigers ran a 33 second split on their top five in their last two races. The regional race resulted in a 12-point win ahead of Glenbard West. Their sectional race had then down nine points to the Hilltoppers. South has a good pack that had Scott and Sean Maison, William Hauenstein, and Jacob Kluckhorn within 18 seconds of each other in last week’s race. The key has been their fifth runner in the past three races David Zeller. The sophomore has been 33 seconds behind their front runner in those three races. Getting Zeller just five seconds closer could mean good things for the Tigers. This team has been close to Neuqua Valley twice this season. They were only three points behind the Wildcats at the DuPage Valley Conference. At the Richard Spring Invitational with more runners, the difference was only seven points. I would not write off this team for a trophy.
Arlington Heights Hersey ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 5
Notes – The Huskies are a team to keep an eye on especially with the way they have run in the past three weeks. Their sectional meet race featured 5 runners in the top 29 led by Josh Methner’s second-place finish. The sophomore could be among the top 15 in this race. Their top five split in the conference and regional races was at 36/37 seconds. It moved up to 54 seconds in last week’s race. Ryan Theisen need to be closer together near the second spot for Hersey. Buch had off race as the team’s fifth runner. Keeping Buch within three to five seconds of Thiesen would be a big help. A top five split under 45 seconds could keep this team in the mix for a top five finish.
LaGrange Lyons Township ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 4
Notes – The Lions usually run good at state so keeping an eye on them on Saturday is a must. Danny Kilrea will be challenging for an individual state title with their second runner Charles Harders challenging for a spot in the top 20. When they finished second in last Saturday’s Sectional at Hinsdale Central, the split from Harders to their fifth runner Jack Ehlert was 45 seconds. Narrowing that gap ten seconds moves this team into top five position with hopes of grasping a trophy.
Elmhurst York ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 9
Notes – The Dukes had a five second split on their top three runners when the team finished fifth at the Peoria Invitational a month ago. The pack has not been as tight in the past three meets with Sean MacGregor leading a first three pack that was within 26 seconds in last week’s third-place sectional finish at Lake Park. Charlie Kern returned and was the team’s fifth runner in that race. He gives the team depth within the top six runners. Getting their pack up front close together could mean some good things for the Dukes. Their best top five split was last week when they were at 47 seconds. If MacGregor finishes in the top 15 and his teammates Jackson Bode and Tim Stevenson close behind with a 38 second overall split, don’t be surprised if York is among the top five teams when the results are posted.
Hinsdale Central ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 6
Notes – The Red Devils finished third in their own sectional last week. Do not discount this team in this week’s race. Colin Yandel has been a surprise as the top man since the Naperville Twilight Invitational. The senior could finish among the top 30 in Saturday’s race. The team’s top five split was 42 seconds at their conference meet and 43 seconds last week. Getting Sean O’Connell closer to Yandel could be a help. Getting their top five split under 35 seconds could move this team to within reach of a trophy.
Downers Grove South ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 11
Notes – Stephen Pipilas finishing sixth in last week’s Hinsdale Central Sectional helped his team get to the state meet by finishing fourth. Pipilas could finish in the top 20 in this race. Eddie Siuda and Akhil Ghosh were within six second of each other and 20 seconds of Pipilas in the sectional race. The three had 11 and 7 second splits in the previous two Peoria races. They need that kind of race this Saturday. The team split of 52 seconds must come down 10 seconds for this team to finish 10th place or better.
Lake Zurich ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 12
Notes – A team that has been hot the past month has been peaking just at the right time. There wins against Mundelein in a dual meet and then at the North Suburban Conference meet have given the Bears the boost they needed. Lake Zurich earned their trip to Detweiller finishing second at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Patrick Burns finished fourth in the sectional race and could be among the top 25 in the state finals. Their pack behind Burns has been within 44 seconds of each other in the top five the two meets before the sectionals. It was 64 seconds last week. Getting under 55 seconds with Burns in the front could get this team among the top ten in this meet.
Orland Park Sandburg ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 10
Notes – While all eyes will be on Dylan Jacobs on Saturday, keep an eye on Sandburg’s pack behind him. The Eagles finished fifth at the Hinsdale Central Sectional to get back to the state meet. Jacobs will be vying for the fourth individual state championship in the school’s history and will give the team small numbers in the front. The split on their second through fifth runners was only 18 seconds last week. Repeating that spread but moving it closer to Jacobs could put Sandburg into the top 10.
Mundelein ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 15
Notes – The Mustangs made it to the state meet for the first time in the team’s history by finishing fourth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Robert St. Clair stepped up towards the end of the season as the team’s top runner. He finished fifth last week. He could be in the top 20 in Saturday’s race. They have slumped over the past couple of weeks but seemed to be bouncing back in their sectional race. Mundelein should be better this weekend. Their team had a 47 second split on their top five in the sectional race. If it comes down to between 25 to 36 seconds on their top five, Mundelein will be within the top 10.
Naperville Central ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 16
Notes – Naperville Central ran a good team race last Saturday at Waubonsie Valley and could be in position to finish in the top ten on Saturday. Thomas Shilgalis has been one of the elite runners in the state this fall with a win over Zach Kinne at the Naperville Twilight Meet. Finishing in the top 10 for him is a good possibility. Adam Balutowski finished only three seconds behind Shilgalis both in last week’s race and in their conference race. Another good performance by the senior could find him in the top 25. The top five split has been in low 30’s in the past three meets. Another race like that could move the Redhawks into the top 10.
Yorkville ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 22
Notes – The Foxes looked good in winning the Granite City Sectional placing five runners in the top 31 with only a 28 second split in the group. Ben Summers along with freshman Ivan Wescott were the front runners for this team. Summers has been the team’s top runner for the past four races. Zack Price led the team early in the year, but an injury slowed him down. Price was the team’s fifth runner last week. He could be near the front with Summers in this state race. Getting Summers in the first 50 will be a key. Keeping the split low could get Yorkville closer to the top 10.
Edwardsville ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 18
Notes – The Tigers are still a team to watch even though they finished third in the Granite City Sectional. Roland Prenzler and Franky Romano finished in the top ten to lead their team. Getting those two runners in the top 60 will be something to keep an eye on. Edwardsville had a 20 second split on their top four in their conference meet. It was 23 seconds last week. The top five split jumped from 45 seconds at conference to 63 seconds at Granite City. Getting the split on five back to 50 seconds or better could move this team back ahead of Yorkville and maybe close to the top 10.
St. Charles East ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 24
Notes – The Saints has injuries and illnesses slow them down at the end of September and up to their conference meet. East ran good pack races the past two weeks including last Saturday at Waubonsie Valley where they finished third. Cole Adesso is again healthy and could be in the top 50 in this race after finishing ninth in his sectional race. The split on their top five was at 24 seconds last week. A split like the sectional race puts them in the top 15 on Saturday.
Chicago Whitney Young ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – Not too many people the Dolphins would be back at state at the beginning of the season. Their persistence paid off with a win at their own regional and the fourth-place finish last week at Lake Park. You might see this Chicago distance power in this race. Clayton Mendez captured the individual sectional title and will be one of the runners to watch in the front. Charlie Nevins and Sam Rivera, if they run close to each other, could both finish in the top 40. Their split on five last week was 101 seconds. Keeping the two runners with each other and dropping their top five split under 87 seconds could move this team close to the top 10.
Lockport Township ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – Yes, it was a surprise that the Porters made it to the state meet by finishing second at the Granite City Sectional. In the six meets that Lockport ran before their regional race, they only had their top seven runners on the starting line at the same time twice. In those two races they won the Tinley Park Championship Race and finished 23rd at the First to the Finish Invitational before that. Top five splits of 28 seconds in their regional race and 25 seconds in their sectional race got them a chance to run in Peoria. Cade Musich and Marc Schelli lead this team and could finish among the top 75. Running a split like they have the previous two weeks could get Lockport into the top 15.
O’Fallon ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – O’Fallon ran their best race of the year in finishing fourth at the Granite City Sectional just one point behind Edwardsville. Lucas Capistrant ran a great sectional race finishing second and could finish in the top 30 on Saturday. The split on their top five jumped to 64 seconds especially since Capistrant was in the front. Getting their team split back under 50 seconds could move this squad into the top 20.
Winnetka New Trier ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 21
Notes – The Trevians would be listed higher in this preview if they had Patrick Norrick running this Saturday. Their No. 1 runner finished 10th overall in the sectional race in which the Trevians finished fifth qualifying ahead of Wheaton North by just one point. Norrick was injured before the meet but decided to run to help his team qualify. Without him in the lineup, it could hurt the Trevians chances to finish in the top 15. Graeme Lane and Owen Eskandari should be the top runners on this team that could have a 17 second split on their scorers. A tight pack could get their team a higher than 20th place finish.
Barrington ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – Barrington finished third at the Hoffman Estates sectional led by the individual win from Nick Laning who should be among the top ten in this race. Their top five split off Laning was 72 seconds last week but only 19 seconds from their second through fifth runners. Keeping the pack within 45 seconds of Laning keeps the Broncos in the top 20.
Batavia ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – The Bulldogs have been up and down this fall in the rankings. After winning their conference title, Batavia came back to finish fifth at the West Aurora Regional just advancing to the sectional meet by one place. They rebounded by finishing fifth last week to qualify for state at Waubonsie Valley. Adam Kennedy led his team that had a 28 second split on their top five and only 15 seconds on their first four runners. That kind of race could help them in Peoria. Kennedy could be in the top 60 in the state race. Keeping his teammates close makes Batavia just that much better.
Carpentersville-Dundee Crown ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 23
Notes – The Chargers make it to state for the first time by finishing four points ahead of Palatine for the fifth and final qualifying spot at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Adam Swanson and Anthony Hurgoi finished 20th and 23rd in their sectional race and should be among the 80 fastest on Saturday. The split on their top five in their sectional race was only 21 seconds. Moving the pack up by 10 seconds a runner could move this team into the top 20.
New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – The Knights joined the schools Girls team in the state meet after finishing fifth in the Granite City Sectional. Sophomore Jared Kries has been the team’s front runner all season. His seventh-place finish in the section race shows that he could finish in the top 50 in Peoria. Some of the team’s success has been keeping their top five split under 60 seconds. Moving their top five split to under 50 seconds could move this team into the top 20 on Saturday.
Geneva ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – The Vikings bounced back to finish fourth at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional after finishing fourth in their conference meet and fifth at the West Aurora Regional. Josh Rodgers was the sectional individual champion and could be in the top ten in the state race. Ryan Kredell finished 10th in the sectional race and could finish in the top 25 if he stays within 10 seconds of Rodgers. Geneva’s top five split was 81 seconds off Rodgers. Moving these numbers down could mean a finish near the top 15 for this team. More news |
