Buffalo Grove starts in style
Buffalo Grove didn't quite end last season the way it expected.
The Bison, who had finished second in the Mid-Suburban League boys cross country meet, ended it season with a sixth-place finish at the Schaumburg sectional, missing the state cut by a mere 9 points.
The defending MSL East Division champs got an early season test on Tuesday, facing defending MSL West champion Hoffman Estates, the team that edged the Bisons for the final state qualification.
This time the BG passed the test, defeating visiting Hoffman Estates 24-31 at Willow Stream Park.
Buffalo Grove senior Kevin Salvano, who finished fifth in Class 3A last season, paced the Bison attack by taking first in 16:11, finishing 19 seconds in front of senior teammate Tom Cleary (16:34).
"It's only September and we're trying to peak in November," said Salvano of the Bison state aspirations. "That being said, it feels really good. We just want to get better from here on out."
Buffalo Grove jumped out to an early advantage, took Hoffman Estates' best shot in the second mile, and then held off the Hawks at the finish.
"Hoffman was the West champs last year, and we were the East champs," said Cleary. "Hoffman beat us by 9 points at sectionals, and we were determined to beat them today."
Junior Arturo Bautista (16:46) and sophomore Mitchell Guittar (16:48) gave the Bison a lift by taking fifth and sixth place, with senior Jack Lenard (17:07) nailing down the victory with a 10th-place finish.
"We knew it was going to be a good matchup," said BG coach Zach Crandall whose team will be competing for an MSL title this season after finishing third in 2013 and second last year. "This is one we really wanted to come in and win."
Hoffman Estates also is eyeing a conference title this season, and the Hawks gave the Bison all they could handle on a hot and steamy day.
Senior Brian Gamboa (16:34) and senior Shiv Patel (16:37) gave the Hawks a lift, taking third and fourth place. Senior Nathan Otto (16:52), senior Matt Petersen (17:00) and junior Jack Worman (17:01) packed it together in taking 7-8-9.
"We feel a lot more confident this year," said Gamboa, whose team qualified for the state meet for the first time since 2006 last year. "We came out conservative and then let it rip today."
"We still have a long way to go," said Hoffman Estates coach Brendan Mariano of his team's lofty goals. "This is a decision they have to make, and we have a lot of work to do."