Rougher road without Thode
If Conant plans on making its first state cross country appearance since 2002, the Cougars will have to do it this season without senior Jeff Thode. Three days after taking first place (15:05) in a tri-meet against Barrington and Palatine at Ron Beese Park, Thode was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights on Sunday after complaining of chest pains while trying to stand up following a church service.
"Jeffrey's been diagnosed with what's called a spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung)," Conant coach John Powers said Wednesday afternoon. "They say that they see it more in taller, thinner boys. It's just kind of a developmental thing. The lung couldn't keep up with the rest of the body for whatever reason."
Thode, who finished in 15th place (14:48) at last year's Class 3A state cross country meet and was runner-up (4:13.47) at last spring's AA 1,600-meter run, did not complain of chest pains or show any warning signs after Thursday's race or a workout two days later.
"The pain comes from air in the chest cavity," said Powers, who was notified at home Sunday by Thode's father, Jim. "(Air) leaks through the puncture, into the chest cavity and that puts pressure on the rest of the organs. They have to put a tube in your chest to let that air escape out."
Powers, who was receiving e-mail updates from Thode's mother, Teresa, said that Thode's chest tube was removed on Tuesday and that an X-ray was scheduled Wednesday to see if the lung had re-inflated. Thode was expected to come home Wednesday, but Powers said doctors told the Conant senior to avoid all physical activity for a month.
"He's doing well - I talked to him online the last couple of days," said Conant senior Tyler Fuchs. "He's out for the rest of the season for sure, but he's really looking forward to track and running as well as he can."
With the Mid-Suburban League meet on Oct. 18 and the Hoffman Estates regional the following Saturday, Conant has little time to regroup after losing its top runner. But with a senior-dominated squad, the Cougars still have dreams of state and taking on the 3-mile course at Detweiller Park in Peoria on Nov. 8.
"In the varsity group there are five other four-year seniors," said Powers, referring to Fuchs, Pablo Ramirez, David Trinco, Ryan Moeller and Ben Anderson. "The response is certainly missing Jeff, but we still feel like we're in the hunt."