Several Tri-Cities area seniors shine at state
PEORIA - The Class 3A boys state meet field was loaded on Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
But Geneva senior Kevin Sparks responded to the challenge by grinding out 23rd place finish to earn all-state honors.
Sparks entered the chute in 14:58 to pace the Vikings to a 14th place finish with 392 points.
Neuqua Valley won its second Class 3A state title in three years with 99 points.
Aaron Beattie (14:31) lead Neuqua Valley by taking fourth place
Senior Mark Donohue (14:50) took 11th place leading Loyola to second place with 111 points.
Senior Andrew Smith (14:28) and junior Jack Driggs (14:28) finished 2-3 in leading York to the third place trophy.
Sandburg sophomore sensation Lukas Verzbicas controlled the 3A race from start to finish in capturing the individual title in 14:07.
Prospect (181 points) and Lyons (234 points) rounded out the top five.
Sparks earned his first all-state honors by taking a conservative approach in the first mile and turning it on for the final two miles.
"It went out pretty fast, and I knew I had to contain myself and not get too anxious," said Sparks of his start. "I think I was able to move up in the race from that point on."
Kevin McDowell (15:23) aided the Vikings attack by taking 56th place.
"We wanted to be top 15 coming in," added Sparks of the Vikings finish. "I think my teammates and I are all happy with what we did, and it is the best we could ask for."
Dundee-Crown junior Anthony Manfrin (14:43) earned all-state honors with an impressive 6th place finish.
"Finally got the medal," added Manfrin who ran under control for the first mile. "Wanted to stay smart early then work the end and that's what I did."
Cary-Grove senior Phil Fairleigh (14:50) capped a successful season by capturing 12th place and leading the Trojans to 13th place with 362 points.
"I just went out there and kind of had some fun," added Fairliegh who was coming off an impressive victory at the Schaumburg sectional. "I didn't really have to many expectations but it was a good race, pretty exciting."
Kyle Zankowski (15:12) finished in 40th place leading St. Charles North (417 points) to 20th place.
Class 2A: Belvidere North secured the 2A title scoring 77 points followed by Normal (119 points), and Springfield (132 points).
Belvidere North junior Paul Zeman won the individual title crossing the finish line in 15:09.
Trevor Holm (15:35) finished 23rd place leading Kaneland (192 points) to an impressive fifth place team finish.
Dominic Furco (15:56) and Edgar Valle (16:08) took 44th and 60th to aid Kaneland's drive. Matt Reusche and Grant Alef finished right next to each other in 63rd and 64th, Logan Markuson was 76th and Joe Levita 121st.
Kaneland coach Chad Clarey has been thrilled all year this group of seniors, which improved from eighth at state last year to fifth this season, have come from the time they entered the Kaneland program.
"Their leadership is second to none in the 15 years that I have been coaching," Clarey said earlier this year. "They have shown our younger runners how to go about training, racing and living like a Kaneland cross country runner. We're not a real big team, so they've all had their part in making this a nice success story."
Zach Young (15:28) came from behind at the end of the second mile in securing 10th place and leading Marmion Academy (331 points) to 15th place.
Young came out of the back loop before the second mile marker in 35th place. The senior then made his move in the final mile and half.
"I got stuck in the back, and I thought I was in a little trouble," added Young who then made his decisive move. "But I knew I was close enough where I could get some guys and I gutted it out the last mile."