Belvidere North keeps making statements
Belvidere North keeps raising the bar in boys cross country.
The Blue Thunder have won back-to-back Class 2A titles and with junior Tyler Yunk leading the charge it appears to be business as usual.
Yunk cruised to the Harvey Braus Invitational title in 14:38, leading Belvidere North to the team title with 41 points at Lake Park’s East Campus in Roselle.
Belvidere North placed five runners in the top 18 in a dominating performance, with Schaumburg taking second with 101 points, followed by host Lake Park (115), Deerfield (136) and Machesney Park Harlem (139 points).
Metea Valley senior Joe Stewart (14:57) took second, with his twin brother Matt (15:09) taking fifth place to lead the Mustangs.
Harlem senior Nick Miller (14:57) took third and Belvidere North junior Paxson Menard (15:06) took fourth.
Yunk, who finished second in Class 2A last season, took control of the race early and crossed the line unchallenged.
“I know I have to keep hammering just like I did last year,” said Yunk of his quick start to the 2011 season. “I saw my time at the mile and felt pretty good, so I just wanted to keep pushing it.”
Yunk and Menard led the charge for Belvidere North, but the two juniors had plenty of company with senior Will Crocker (15:15), junior Garrett Lee (15:31) and sophomore Chase Hill (15:46) finishing eighth, 10th and 18th to power the Blue Thunder attack.
“Last year was a great team,” said Yunk of the Class 2A champions. “But we always have younger people pushing for spots.”
Schaumburg also enters the season with plenty of high expectations, and the Saxons didn’t disappoint on Saturday.
Junior Evan Prizy (15:10) led the way in securing sixth place, followed by senior Pat Swiech (15:32), junior Juan Barajas (15:35), and senior Brian Flight (15:56) in 11th, 12th, and 23rd respectively for the Saxons.
“We were patient,” said Prizy of the Saxons attack. “We waited and just kind of moved through the race and kept building. It was a great race. We’re definitely stepping up, and we feel like we have a strong team.”
Schaumburg was without No. 2 runner and senior Tyler Anderson but showed plenty of potential on Saturday.
“We ran smart and built throughout the entire race,” said Schaumburg coach Scott Lilley. “We wanted to run as a pack and we’re looking to improve as the season progresses. It’s a great start.”
Senior Kevin Jorgensen (15:10) powered Lake Park by securing seventh place, with sophomore Jeremy Lozano (15:52) and sophomore Eric Dade (15:53) aiding the Lancers by taking 21st and 22nd place.
“I went out really fast and the second mile I started to settle in and go off the lead group,” said Jorgensen of his pace. “I’m much more relaxed going into the races this year and I think the summer training has really helped. Everybody on the team is really stepping up and we have the makings of a solid team.”
Senior twins Joe and Matt Stewart turned plenty of head for Metea Valley with their top 10 finishes.
Joe Stewart eased his way to second place, followed by Matt Stewart in fifth.
“We just wanted to go out with the top pack and see what happens,” said Joe Stewart of the Mustangs attack. “I was working off Nick Miller (Harlem) and we just tried to keep pushing.”
“The key was to stay next to my brother and work up to getting in front,” added Matt Stewart. “This feels good this early in the year, but we’ll keep working.”
Junior Alex Gold (15:37), senior Makoto Bowering (15:39), and junior Shai Farhi (15:41) went 13th, 15th, and 17th to power Deerfield to fourth place.
Senior Nick Miller combined with senior Chris Beaupre (15:39), who took 15th place, to lead Harlem to fifth place.
Senior Kevin Proffitt (15:23) took ninth place to help Downers Grove North to sixth place. Junior Ben Eaton (15:37) and sophomore Zach Smith (15:56) took 14th and 24th place.
“We went out really fast and tried to secure our position,” said Proffitt of the Trojans’ surge. “It was a good learning experience and we’re excited for what’s to come.”
Senior Joey Salatino (16:18) finished 36th to lead Bartlett to seventh place. Junior Alex Gasca (16:00) secured 26th place as Maine West finished eighth.
Sophomore Billy Thomas (16:02) took 27th place as Hoffman Estates was 10th. Senior Jordi Arriaga (15:48) captured 19th place, aiding Wheeling to an 11th-place finish.
Senior Francisco Gonzalez (15:49) took 20th place for South Elgin and Jhoan Lino (15:59) took 25th place for Streamwood.