Neuqua Valley's Derrick runs race for record books

Neuqua Valley senior Chris Derrick was well aware of the expectations surrounding him coming into the IHSA Class 3A state boys cross country meet Saturday.

Picked by many as the favorite to win the race, Derrick used that pressure as motivation, becoming the first Illinois runner in 30 years to break 14 minutes in Peoria.

"There was definitely a lot of pressure that I felt," Derrick said. "That makes before the race really nerve-racking and really difficult. But while you're in the race, I thrive off that. That really helps me stay focused on my goal and not let the effort drop."

The time would have set a 2A record. But running in the newly created Class 3A, Derrick settled for the second-fastest time ever at the Illinois state meet, behind only Lebanon's Craig Virgin, who ran a 13:50.6 in 1972.

Derrick's outstanding performance was just the finale of a very special season.

"He's done impressing me because he's been doing it so much," said Wildcats coach Paul Vandersteen. "He's incredible."

Derrick said he was aware mid-race of his impressive pace, and he credited the crowd for energizing him down the stretch.

"I knew at two miles that I (could break 14 minutes), and I knew I was still on pace at 2½ miles," he said. "It was really awesome to hear the crowd."

In a reversal of the past three years, Derrick was able beat Hersey's Kevin Havel, who had finished ahead of the Neuqua Valley standout throughout their prep careers.

"Chris is young," Vandersteen said. "He just turned 17 in October. So I think he had a little more room for development (than Havel), and that was the difference."

Derrick pointed to hard work and his dedication to improving himself throughout his high school years as the keys to his victory.

"It's about consistency over time," Derrick said. "I've just been building up my training from year to year. I've also been very fortunate and stayed healthy."

Bahrani breaks out: Vernon Hills senior Moe Bahrani has always struggled late in races.

More of a tough guy than a speed demon, Bahrani was able to gut out a second-place finish at Peoria in the Class 2A race.

"I wasn't really proud of my race in its entirety, but the last 400 (meters) I was really proud of because I'm a terrible kicker," Bahrani said after finishing in 14:48. "My kick's always been my weak point. So to battle (Glenwood senior) Neal Anderson like that, have him go ahead of me and then come back and beat him, I was really proud of myself for that."

It was a pleasant change for the Cougars' standout, who had struggled down the stretch in the Marengo sectional.

With 400 meters left, Bahrani found himself with three other runners in the front pack. He tried to keep up, but he finished in fourth, six seconds behind the trio.

Bahrani, who wants to continue running cross country after high school, said his best is yet to come.

"I'm happy with the result, but I can still improve," he said. "That's the beautiful thing about this sport. No matter how good you do, there's always something you can work on."

Lane finishes with flourish: Senior Nick Lane of Grayslake North placed fifth in the Class 2A race after battling illness the previous two weeks.

Although Lane felt he could have run faster, he was satisfied with his performance.

"I was sick at regionals and sectionals, so I lost a lot of fitness," Lane said. "But I feel like I made up for it a lot it during this last week. So it wasn't exactly what I was capable of but it was what I was capable of today. I didn't have anything left."

Lane (14:55) sprinted hard down the stretch of his final prep race and finished a second ahead of sixth-place finisher Tim Hird of Alleman.

"I was thinking about all the people that have helped me throughout the season," Lane said, listing his coaches, teammates, parents and relatives. "I just thought of them and (how I) couldn't disappoint them, so I gave it everything I could, and I'm happy with it."