Christensen, Falcons in fine form
There's something about LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve that seems to bring out the best in Wheaton North's Collin Christensen.
Almost exactly one year after recording a ninth-place individual finish for his second-place team, Christensen helped push the Falcons to the team title at Saturday's St. Charles East/Jeff Leavey Invitational.
Christensen, a senior, covered the scenic 3-mile course in a time of 15 minutes, 14 seconds, while teammates Graham Farnsworth (fourth, 15:19) and Justin Soderlund (sixth, 15:21) also cracked the top 10 for the Falcons, who scored a 41-63 team triumph over Geneva.
"I love this course so much," said Christensen. "It's the best course in this area for me."
Christensen admitted running with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder during the team's first invitational of the 2007 campaign.
"We weren't getting a whole lot of credit, and I think that's best," he said. "I know it at least fueled me a little bit to go out there and prove some people wrong."
Seniors Andrew Kaehr (14th, 15:40) and Brian Schlick (15th, 15:40) also posted counting scores for the Falcons.
"It was awesome to see everybody step up in this meet," said Christensen. "We've got real high aspirations this year."
St. Charles North senior Chris DeSilva earned individual honors (15:05.8) and family bragging rights for the third-place North Stars (65 points).
"I beat my brother's PR," Chris said of topping the mark set by his older brother and former all-stater, Matt.
The defending meet champion North Stars also received solid contributions from Mike Strasser (seventh, 15:23), Max Clink (ninth, 15:30) and Scott Speare (13th, 15:37).
"Mike may have been our fifth or sixth man at best last year," said DeSilva, who took an early lead and was never seriously threatened. "Now, he's No. 2."
The second-place Vikings were led by junior Andrew Nelson's third-place individual showing (15:17).
Fourth-place Waubonsie Valley received a top-10 finish from senior David Schumacher (15:32).
Junior Drew Schmitt (15:47) placed 17th for seventh-place Batavia, while the ninth-place host Saints were led by senior John Deutsch (26th, 15:53).