Kaneland, Marmion advance to state

Call this one Survivor: The Belvidere Outback.

Cold and wind mixed with mud and water and what is widely regarded as the state's premier cross country sectional made Saturday very miserable for many area runners.

But they all agreed on one thing: the name of the game was surviving the Class 2A Belvidere sectional and advancing to next weekend's state meet in Peoria.

"The conditions were not ideal," said Marmion's Zack Young, who finished 12th at 16:37. "It was sloppy, we. It was not our best day as a team."

Although it was not a top day for the Cadets, they managed to survive by placing fifth as a team with 148 points and will advance to next week's state meet along with Kaneland (4th, 144). Belvidere North (36) took top honors, with Prairie Ridge (113) and Sycamore (134) also advancing.

Kaneland knew in a race like Saturday's every runner would count and the Knights needed a strong effort from usual No. 6 runner Grant Alef (57th, 17:23). Alef's score was just enough to sneak the Knights into the state meet again after they placed eighth last year.

"This was (Alef's) biggest performance of the year," Kaneland coach Chad Clarey said. "I can't put it all on him, but it was huge part."

Adding to the Knights' success were Trevor Holm (13th, 16:40) and Matt Reusche (23rd, 16:48).

Also advancing from the boys side were Burlington Central's Clint Kleim (17th, 16:42) and Lakes' Ryan Prais (9th, 16:25). Sycamore's Tyson Kinsley (16:08) won the meet.