Boys cross country: For starters, Prospect measures up
Prospect's boys cross country team has set a high bar for the program over the past two seasons.
The Knights have finished seventh in Class 3A the past two falls, and this year's team is looking to continue that impressive run.
Prospect got off to a fine start on Tuesday, running to a 19-44 Mid-Suburban League crossover victory again Fremd at Prospect High School course.
The Knights showed off a strong pack by taking seven of the top eight spots in cruising to the victory.
"It's going to be an important season," said Prospect coach Mike Stokes, whose team is ranked No. 7 in the preseason Illinois Cross Country Coach poll. "The guys took it out hard and they are pumped and ready to get going."
Fremd senior Ed Worthem also seemed to be pumped, rushing out to a big lead - but the Vikings senior took a wrong turn with a half mile to go and was disqualified.
Prospect senior Jack Terry took advantage of the opportunity and ran to the victory in 16:04.
Last year Terry finished 33rd at the Class 3A state meet.
"I was really excited to get going today, I was a bit nervous in starting the season," said Terry. "I'd love to get a state medal this season I just have to keep working hard."
Senior Nate Cozine (16:13), junior Andy Reimann (16:16), senior Casey Daleiden (16:17), senior Jack Hempleman (16:19), sophomore Erik Snell (16:28) and senior Noah Helstrom (16:51) formed a blue wall by going 3-through-8.
"We have high expectations this year," said Cozine, whose team figures to contend with Hersey for the MSL title. "It really comes down to experience. We've been training really hard during the summer and focusing on pack running."
"We've just learned so much the past few seasons and it has helped us get to where we are now," added Terry.
The Vikings could not recover from a hard start by the Knights, though they did make some nice moves in the final mile.
Fremd graduated a big chunk of seniors from last year's team, so the Vikings are in a bit of transition.
But Worthem's early performance showed he will be a threat this season, and Matt Wallace (16:12) returned from stress fracture last season to take second on Tuesday.
Junior Charlie O'Brien (17:05) added a ninth-place finish for the Vikings.
"I feel more confident than last year," said Wallace, who did a nice job of moving in the final mile. "I just have a lot more experience and I'm running with confidence."