Hersey hopes strategy has long-term payoff
Hersey's Kevin Havel was better than all but one runner in last season's state meet.
On Wednesday, he crossed the finish line behind two of his teammates.
"It is what it is," Havel said after posting a time of 16:46.
What was it?
Strategy.
And it worked as Hersey (3-0) took the top three spots in the race to defeat Mid-Suburban East rival Wheeling 21-36 at Melas Park.
Taking full advantage of their opposition running without two of its top five runners, the Huskies packed-up their top three in an attempt to aid the development of junior Eric Stanton.
"He is going to make our season. If he can step up, our team will be really good," Billy Wisser said.
Stanton stepped up Wednesday, finishing in second place, one second behind Wisser.
"Eric is a great worker. We're helping him develop as a runner so he can take that next step at state this year and hopefully help our team out. These steps will ultimately help him out," Havel said.
The Huskies' trio made it mathematically impossible for the Wildcats to win, with Wisser's first-place time finishing just one second ahead of Havel's third-place time.
"We're just trying to get Eric to run up to that level or close to that level where he runs with those guys. Hopefully it will boost his confidence. He was smooth running with them," Hersey coach Tim Phillips said. "He has all the talent in the world. With him it's just more of a confidence thing. He has much talent as anybody I've ever coached."
The Wildcats (1-2) were led by Ken Diedrich's 17:05.
They competed without Toni Segura and Eric Rodriguez. Both were held out of the race due to illness.
"Our division is loaded," Wheeling coach Tom Polak said. "We're not there yet.
"We have six weeks to try and get ready to compete at that level. We have to be healthy first before we can do that."
Seniors Mark Swakow and Norbert Gajos finished fifth and sixth, respectively for Wheeling.
Dan Laughlin and Kevin Trandel capped the scoring for the Huskies, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively.