Gibson just outkicks Pawola

Kyle Gibson and Danny Pawola didn't disappoint.

The race the fans at DuPage River Park anticipated most came down to the last 200 yards, with Naperville North senior Gibson edging his friendly rival from Neuqua Valley at Saturday's Class 3A Naperville North cross country regional.

"It got really exciting at the end there," Gibson said. "The mud slowed us down so much in the middle of the race, I knew I had something left in me."

Gibson, who overtook Pawola down the stretch, finished the 3-mile course in 15:00. Pawola came in at 15:01.

"Kyle is a great competitor. I've raced him numerous times," Pawola said. "I was hoping to maybe come in and get him, but it wasn't going to happen today.

"I've historically never really had a very good kick, and I know he's been working on his kick a lot."

This was the second time the two met head-to-head this season. Gibson earlier beat Pawola by three seconds at the Lockport Invite.

"It's great to have somebody like Danny to motivate you," Gibson said.

Naperville North (26 points) and Neuqua Valley (33) were the top teams advancing to sectionals, with nine of the first 10 runners in the chute. Behind Gibson were Huskies Tyler Jermann, David McWilliams and Bob Guthrie.

Neuqua Valley had Ryan Wienek take sixth in 15:29, followed by Luke Verbas, Brian Morenas and Conner Shields.

"The point of today was to get onto sectionals," Gibson said, "and we did that."

Youth was served in the girls race. Naperville Central freshman Amanda Fox won in 18:28, with Wheaton Warrenville South South freshman Lauren Mondini second in 18:34.

Just a week ago, Mondini won the DuPage Valley Conference championship at DuPage River Park, with Fox fourth.

"I didn't think I'd do this well," Fox admitted, adding, "I like this course, it's kind of our home course.

"We stayed together for about a mile, or a mile and a half. I kind of sped up a little bit that last mile."

Mondini and Fox also went 1-2 at an invite in Hinsdale.

Mondini said theirs is a friendly rival dating back to middle school.

"It's on and off. She wins sometimes, I win sometimes," Mondini said. "In the woods after a mile she started pulling ahead."

Naperville North led five teams advancing to sectionals, followed by WW South, Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley and Plainfield North. Naperville North senior Michelle Stratton, fourth in 18:38 led a pack of Huskies near the front. Joanna Brodecki, Jamie Schertz and Christina Rei trailed close behind.

"I think we ran really smart today," Stratton said. "Early on, I'd say at the half-mile, we were probably in last place as a team. But we stuck together as a pack and were able to move up together."