South ElginÂ’s Francisco Garcia leads the pack to the finish line during the Elgin cross country invitational Tuesday at Lords Park.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
In the Elgin City Invitational boys race Tuesday at Lords Park, South Elgin’s Francisco Gonzalez did not expect to win, but did just that. The senior finished in 16:05.5.
“I just wanted to see where I was at early in the season and work from there,” Gonzalez said. “It went out fast. I tried to hold back. It’s warm and the first meet of the season. Everyone wanted to stay conservative.”
St. Charles North won the team title, scoring 49 points. Bartlett (50) was second, followed by Batavia (82), South Elgin (133) and Glenbard North (151).
Bartlett’s Joey Salatino finished second in 16:10.7. Batavia’s Mike Redmond (16:16.3) and Chris Spadafora (16:29.6) finished third and fourth individually. Bartlett’s Connor Rachford was fifth (16:23.2).
Grant Markowicz and Declan each finished in 16:47.2 to finish sixth and seventh for STC North. Also scoring for the North Stars were Nick Borger (10th, 16:53.2), Zach Heuer (11th, 16:53.4) and Spencer Gray (15th, 16:58.5).
Brandon Phillps (20th, 17:13.0), Kevin Millen (26th, 17:25.3) and Ben Helfrecht (30th, 17:34.0) also contributed to Batavia’s third-place finish.
Eventual winner Fernando Garcia of South Elgin rounds a late corner in second place during the Elgin cross country invitational Tuesday at Lords Park. He is surrounded by Batavia teammates Mike Redmond in front, who eventually finished third, and Chris Spadafora who finished fourth. Behind them are Bartlett teammates Joey Salatino, who finished second and Connor Rachford who finished fifth.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Eventual second place finisher Joey Salatino of Bartlett lifts his jersey in the starting sprint during the Elgin cross country invitational Tuesday at Lords Park.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Second place finisher Joey Salatino of Bartlett and winner Francisco Garcia of South Elgin relax after finishing the Elgin cross country invitational Tuesday at Lords Park.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
St. Charles North teammates laugh as Grant Markowicz holds the championship trophy after the Elgin cross country invitational Tuesday at Lords Park. Markowicz placed sixth overall. All five North Star runners finished in the top 15.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com