Prep Cross Country Notes: Runners advance in terrible conditions
By STEVE NITZ
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sports@daily-chronicle.com
There was one thing in common at the area cross country regionals on Saturday: Terrible conditions.
The courses were wet from the recent rain and runners had to deal with lots and lots of mud.
“It was packed mud to standing water up to your shins in certain parts of the course,” said Kaneland boys coach Chad Clarey, who saw his team compete at the Aurora Central Catholic Regional.
The Class 2A Freeport Regional was no different. Sycamore runners’ shoes were basically brown after the race.
“It was hard to get footing,” said Sycamore’s Tyson Kinsley, who took first overall. “I was coming around a turn and I fell on my hands.”
Sycamore coach Mike Lambdin said that at some parts of the course the water and mud was so deep that runners couldn’t see their shoes.
“You would just have water, mud, and grass coming over the top of them,” Lambdin said.
But Lambdin pointed out the fact that the conditions were the same for everybody.
“Every kid runs the same temperature, the same course, the same wind,” Lambdin said. “I’ll tell you what, the team that embraces those things rather than sitting around moaning about it, it becomes an advantage. I’d like to think our kids are tough and did that.”
Knights settle for 2nd: It doesn’t get much closer than the boys Class 2A Aurora Central Catholic Regional, as the top four teams were separated by just four points.
Kaneland and Marmion tied for first with 66 points, but Marmion won the tiebreaker on the sixth runner.
Clarey mentioned the fact that if the Knights’ Trevor Holm, who finished in fourth place at 15:28.9, would have just finished three-tenths of a second faster, he would have came in ahead of Burlington Central’s Clint Kliem (15:28.6) and Kaneland would have captured the regional title.
“Trevor out leans (Kliem) it’s a different story,” Clarey said. “It’s a great team performance from four schools. We would expect the same thing to happen next week.”
Kaneland girls advance as well: Kaneland’s girls team was also able to earn a spot at sectionals by finishing in third at the Aurora Central Catholic Regional.
The Knights got help with the return of freshmen Ashley Castellanos and Abby Dodis, as both had been missing time with the flu. Castellanos took 13th place at 19:17 while Dodis came in 17th at 19:30.
Kaneland has been dealing with sickness and injuries all season, but Knights girls coach Doug Ecker thinks his team has a shot at advancing to state.
“I knew they were talented, I just didn’t think they would have a chance to really show it,” Ecker said. “They have a chance (at advancing) if they all continue to run their best races. It won’t be easy.”
Kurpius moves on: Genoa-Kingston wasn’t able to advance any of its teams, but freshman Renae Kurpius was able to advance to the Class 1A Aurora Christian Sectional.
Kurpius took 18th at the Winnebago Regional with a time of 20:07.
G-K coach Kate Traub said Kurpius’ times have improved all season.
“That was exciting, especially for a freshman to be able to advance,” Traub said. “I’m excited for her.”
Down to Peoria: DeKalb coach Mike Wolf might have Interstate 39 memorized by season’s end. The Barbs will make their third trip of the year to the Peoria area when they compete at Saturday’s East Peoria Sectional.
But Wolf is fine with making the trip, as the East Peoria Sectional isn’t as tough as the Belvidere Sectional.
“I would much rather be headed there than Belvidere,” Wolf said. “This year I have nothing to complain about, that’s for sure.”
Wolf could have yet another trip down to Peoria for the state meet on Nov. 7, should the Barbs advance either of their teams or any individuals.
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