Injured Schrader still takes second

Comments (...)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Comments

Share

SANDWICH – Nick Schrader felt the pain in his foot.


All week it’s been nagging the DeKalb senior. It slowed down his training and made his participation in the IHSA Class 2A Sandwich Cross-Country Regional a dicey proposition.


But Schrader woke up on Saturday, felt better and ran a time of 16:44 which was good for second place on the Indians’ turf. The Barbs finished third with 92 points and will advance to the East Peoria Sectional at Illinois Central College. With 108 points, the DeKalb girls will also advance. Danielle Dlabal finished in fourth place with a time of 19:55.


But it was Schrader that was a race-time decision Saturday morning.


“We weren’t sure he would run until this morning,” DeKalb coach Mike Wolf said. “I’m pleased with his run today and hopefully we can ride this into sectionals. With the mud out there today it wasn’t ideal to have a bad foot.”


Injured last week at the Western Sun Conference Tournament, Schrader spent the week icing, massaging and taking it easy on his foot. He’s suffering from plantar fasciitis and the only cure for the ailment is rest. Something Schrader has little time for as the cross-country season winds down.  


With wet turf and a November-like chill in the air, Schrader got off to a good start. He made the first turn shoulder to shoulder with eventual champion, Sandwich’s Mike Gaydos. Schrader said he couldn’t find a final gear down the stretch to overtake the Indians’ senior. Despite the plantar fasciitis, Schrader said he was able to empty his tank.  


“I injured it at conference last and have been dealing with it this week,” Schrader said.  “I wanted to go out and give it my all.”


The Barbs are also dinged up as a team, as injuries and sickness have taken root in the DeKalb ranks. Despite being limited in practice this week the Barbs were still able to have seven top-30 finishers. Jordan Wellman was 20th with a time of 17:53 and Dalton Bates 22nd.


“We had a couple guys with off races,” Wolf said. “Like a lot of teams I think we just need to get to 100 percent. I think next week we will be stronger.”


There was plenty of suspense for the girls team. Wolf had to wait until the final numbers were in to see if the Barbs would advance.


“They created trouble for themselves early,” Wolf said.  “We weren’t aggressive through the whole race and it cost us early. We had to play catch up.”


But with a strong finish by Dlabal and three top-25 finishes, DeKalb punched a sectional ticket.


“We practiced Thursday here and I think it helped us to know the course,” said Dlabal who battled a sore calf. “Coach told me I needed to be in the top five.”


 The Sandwich boys were fifth with 112.5 points and Yorkville was first with 34 points.


 

 

Comments