Aurora Central Catholic makes history
The Aurora Central Catholic girls cross country team has a potential difference-maker in defending Class 2A 800-meter track and field state champion Karina Liz.
But the Chargers' girls rolled out the welcome mat to sophomore Abby Fioresi at their invitational on Saturday at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora.
The transfer from Oswego was granted permission to run the previous day by the state authority.
"The IHSA made the right decision in the best interest of the student-athlete," ACC boys and girls cross country coach Troy Kerber said. "(The addition of Fioresi) really changes the dynamic of the team."
Liz continued her quest for elite status in the state with her winning time of 17 minutes, 46.9 seconds at the three-mile layout.
Fioresi was equally impressive in her official debut with ACC, defeating Wheaton Academy senior Annika Pearson by 45 seconds to finish runner-up.
"I tried to go out with the same mindset as in Peoria (where Liz set her personal record at 17:37 recently)," Liz said. "I am satisfied with my time. I was pretty much running by myself."
No longer in eligibility limbo, Fioresi nearly broke the 18-minute barrier as well in settling for an 18:04.8 time.
"It was a little bit scary," Fioresi said of time waiting for a definitive decision. "I really wanted to race and stuff. I felt really good. I want to stick with Karina (during competitions)."
The Charger girls also achieved a first in the 23-year history of the 14-school event: the team championship.
Irene Crown, Toriana Turk and Amy Brouch were ninth, 11th and 21st to complete the Chargers' 44-point total.
Wheaton Academy settled for second with 56 points.
IMSA edged St. Francis on the tiebreaker to place fifth.
Aurora Christian was ninth with 179-point team score.
"We were extremely ecstatic (with the addition of Fioresi)," Kerber said. "She has the potential to be a great distance runner. It gives us two legitimate front girls."
Wheaton Academy girls Annika Pearson, Gretchen Pearson, Anna Joy Setran and Julia Roblieski finished between second and 10th to finish runner-up.
The Montini girls, with Emma Makowski and G Salzbrunn fifth and eighth, edged Waubonsie Valley and West Chicago in the large-class division for fourth place overall.
Boys race: State-ranked St. Charles East and highly regarded Marmion were expected to be the favorites in the large-schools' boys division.
But the respective coaches rested their starters.
"We really think we can make it to state," Marmion coach Dan Klatt said. "We want everybody to have a chance (to compete in the regular season). We have some juniors and seniors who have really worked hard."
St. Charles East (144 points) was fifth in the team standings, behind two out-of-state schools, East Aurora and Oswego East.
Alex Thomas, Evan Allen and Hunter Klose paced the Saints' cause with their showings between 21st and 25th.
"Our main goal is be ready at the end of October," St. Charles East coach Chris Bosworth said of his rationale to rest his starting seven. "I think this was a good week to do it."
Burlington Central senior Clay Musial was third to claim the top large-division finish among Illinois athletes.
Kaneland (222) was ninth behind Austin Kintz (22nd).
The Wheaton Academy programs nearly swept their competitions.
The Warriors' boys monopolized the second through fifth positions - Jonah Jones, Brandon Lach, Mitchell Smith and Jacob Robleski, respectively - to ease past Rockford Christian 24-57 for the smaller-school crown.
"Our boys team has a really strong pack," Wheaton Academy coach Chris Felinski said. "We have been training for that. We had a strong five today."