Prospect tunes up for full-cast performance
Prospect's boys cross country team has been on the outside looking in the first few weeks of the season.
The Knights haven't raced their top varsity team at a major invite this season.
That all changes on Saturday when No. 4 Prospect and coach Mike Stokes lift the curtain at the Oak Park Invite.
Prospect tuned up for the weekend by grinding out 21-38 Mid Suburban League East victory over host Buffalo Grove at Willow Stream Park.
Senior Chris Spudic led the Knights by taking first in 15:55, holding off a hard close by Buffalo Grove sophomore Jeremy Atchison (15:57).
Spudic led a large group through the first mile before making separation early in the second mile.
"It's been hard on Saturday watching everybody else," said Spudic of the Knights' wait. "It's a good feeling to get going."
Sophomore Sam Pederson (16:11) and senior Kenny Halloran (16:12) took third and fourth for a short-handed Knights team that was missing No. 2 runner Albert Ciolek.
Junior Matt Ashton (16:16) and sophomore Josh Campos (16:18) completed the scoring for Prospect by taking sixth and seventh place.
"Today was a battle," added Stokes, who has patiently brought along his team. "We're looking forward to stepping out a little bit. The guys have been patient, but they're getting antsy."
Sophomore Tara Didenko (16:13) ran from behind to pick up fifth place for BG and aid a strong performance by Atchison.
Senior Ryan Pater (16:25) ran a solid race with an eighth-place finish for the Bison.
"We ran a good race today," added BG coach Jamie Klotz, "Prospect is a top-notch team. Coming in we wanted to work on them and compete a little bit. I think we did that today."
• Prospect girls showed a strong pack by cruising to a 20-43 MSL East victory over Buffalo Grove.
BG sophomore standout Olivia Jones (18:21) held off Prospect senior Annette White (18:22) to take first individually.
The Knights then showed their depth by taking second through eighth place in a convincing victory.
"They ran solid today," said Prospect coach Dave Wurster of his team that is ranked fifth in the Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll. "They run so smart together. They run with confidence, they run strong, they push the middle."
Freshman Brooke Wolfe (18:27), junior Savannah Snead (18:54), freshman Lauren Poplawski (18:57), and senior Kasey Krum (19:11) completed the scoring for the Knights.
Poplawski was running her first varsity race and just adds to an already deep team.
Prospect is looking forward to another stern challenge at the Palatine Invite on Saturday.
"Palatine is going to be stacked with top teams," added White, "We definitely want to run up with them and prove ourselves."
Jones is proving to be one of the top runners in state and the sophomore showed a strong kick in gaining the victory on Thursday.
"I just wanted to stick with the lead pack and see what I had at the end," said Jones who will also be in the top notch Palatine field on Saturday.
Freshman Caitlin Kelley (19:45) took ninth place for Buffalo Grove.